{"id":163133,"date":"2022-08-08T13:23:25","date_gmt":"2022-08-08T23:23:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=163133"},"modified":"2024-03-14T22:37:45","modified_gmt":"2024-03-15T08:37:45","slug":"marine-sanctuary-ambassador","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2022\/08\/08\/marine-sanctuary-ambassador\/","title":{"rendered":"Marine sanctuary ambassador studies microplastics effect on coral health"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"coral
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument coral and fishes. (Photo credit: Greg McFall\/NOAA<\/abbr>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To support dissertation research on the effects of microplastics on coral reef health and resilience, a doctoral student in the University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> at Mānoa Marine Biology Graduate Program<\/a> has been awarded a highly competitive NOAA<\/abbr> Nancy Foster Scholarship<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Keiko Wilkins<\/strong>\u2019 work will help to establish a baseline of current conditions of microplastic ingestion by corals within the three NOAA<\/abbr> national marine protected areas within the Pacific Island region: Papahāumokuākea Marine National Monument, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and the National Marine Sanctuary of American Sāmoa. Her work will also help to better understand how different species of corals retain plastics as well as determine potential ecological threats posed by microplastic-associated chemical contaminants.<\/p>\n

\"woman
Keiko Wilkins<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a Foster Scholar and NOAA<\/abbr> National Marine Sanctuary Ambassador,” said Wilkins, who joined the Richmond Lab at the Kewalo Marine Laboratory<\/a> in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology<\/a> (SOEST<\/abbr>) in fall 2020. “Microplastic pollution is not a new term to most people, but they are often surprised to learn that corals eat microplastics too. As plastic pollution in our oceans continues to increase, we need a better understanding of how corals are being impacted. I am excited to share my findings and bring more attention to microplastic pollution as it affects coral reefs and those who depend on them.”<\/p>\n