A team led by Dr James Kar-Hei Fang, Associate Professor of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, employed automated mapping techniques using Raman microspectroscopy to extract and characterise microplastics accumulated in local seafood. The study revealed that each gram of fresh mussel meat contained 0.2 to 1.8 items of microplastics. It is estimated that each Hong Kong resident could ingest up to 10,380 microplastics annually through consumption of bivalve shellfish.
Separately, Dr Fang has recently received the 2024 Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation, one of the six global awardees and the sole awarded scientist from East Asia.
Press release: English | 中文
Online coverage:
HK01 | 港人微塑膠攝入超歐亞地區五倍 理大學者開拓可持續海洋食品研究 |
5 November 2024 |
Mirage News |
Marine Conservation, Sustainable Seafood Research Boost |
31 October 2024 |
Ming Pao Daily News |
理大研港海鮮污染 進食貝類年攝萬顆微膠 |
31 October 2024 |
Hong Kong Commercial Daily |
理大學者監測海洋食品微塑膠 開拓可持續海洋食品和保育研究 |
31 October 2024 |