Off the coast of Marseille, Mélanie Ourgaud (CEM) is sampling plastic mixed with plankton in order to study its impact on the food chain, both on fish and on humans. Brut followed her.
Biomagnification to monitor concentrations of micro-plastics
Mélanie Ourgaud is a scientist at the Institut méditerrannéen d'océanologie in Marseille. She is studying the impact of micro-plastics on the food chain. The aim of this study is to understand the increase in concentrations along the food chain. This is known as biomagnification.
A real danger to humans
These micro-plastics often contain endocrine disruptors, as well as substances that weaken the immune system. Like plastic, additives can pass through the food chain.