Of plastics and plastic responses: the transgenerational implications of microplastic toxicity

Plastic pollution is one of the most widespread and enduring human alterations to all environmental niches across our planet’s surface. The potential for microplastics to negatively impact ecosystems and human health is catastrophic, and rivals that of other global threats, including climate change and ozone depletion. An estimated 12 billion metric tonnes of plastic waste will end up in the natural environment by 2050. As more plastic degrades and enters terrestrial ecosystems, the rate of microplastic consumption – for wildlife and humans alike – is set to rise. It is not a question of whether this new age toxicity threat will affect biota, but rather how it will affect biota.

Microplastics, with their large surface area, hydrophobic properties, and ability to cross biological membranes, are hazardous to animals. As damaging as the microplastics themselves are their chemical additives. One such group of toxicants, defined as “endocrine disruptor chemicals” (EDCs), are known to induce a range of reproductive and developmental abnormalities by mimicking, blocking, or interfering with hormones and their receptors. We know that EDCs can impair fertility and reproductive outcomes in the exposed generation. For example, microplastics contaminated with phthalate esters – a plastic additive that increases flexibility and longevity, and a known EDC – bioaccumulate in the testes, which reduces sperm density and alters sperm physiology. We have also recently learnt that microplastic toxicity can extend intergenerationally via maternal pathways during gestation and lactation. However, we do not yet know how paternal exposure influences offspring reproductive fitness. Moreover, we do not yet know if the negative impacts of microplastic toxicity can be cleared between generations. The investigations in this postdoc will address these research gaps.

The successful applicant will work on our recently funded Australian Research Council Discovery Project that will seek to understand the transgenerational implications of microplastic toxicity. This 2-year position will suit an ECR that has a background in zoology or wildlife ecology, and who is passionate about conservation issues that impact fauna. We are encouraging people with demonstrated field and mammal handling experience to apply. Previous experience in microplastic analysis would be ideal. We will be considering applicants that have a proven ability to publish research papers (relative to opportunity); papers that demonstrate strong analytical skills appropriate for independent scientific research.