Professor Pablo A. Lara Martín – University of Cádiz
Professor Pablo A. Lara Martín will board r/v Oceanograf from Kiel to Bodø. During this time, he will conduct sampling to analyze the occurrence and distribution of new emerging pollutants (polar and very polar substances) and its transfer from the Baltic Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.
‘My research tries to identify new chemical hazards that can affect both environment and human health. We need to identify emerging contaminants, explore their distribution and environmental behaviour (do they persist and/or bioaccumulate?), and measure their impact.’ – says the Spanish scientist.
Professor Pablo A. Lara Martín as his personal motivation cites the need to assess the chemical status of oceans, which are the ultimate sink for most man-made substances.
Professor Isabel Marín Beltrán – University of Algarve
Isabel Marín Beltrán is a marine scientist, who will join the BaltArctic Research Cruise during the legs from Kiel to Bodø. She will collect samples for microplastics analysis, with the aim to determine the main routes of plastic pollution to the Norwegian continental shelf.
‘I would like to see a human society that is more respectful and less wasteful, that shares more equally the natural resources among themselves and with other species, minimizing pollution.’ says Isabel Marín Beltrán.
In the last years, her research has been focused on assessing the impacts of microplastics on the natural environment, as well as on biorremediation strategies. Professor Isabel Marín Beltrán expects her scientific activity to contribute to reduce the plastic and human footprint on the planet.
