Visiting Scholars: "In close contact with the reality on the ground"

Why did you apply for the Visiting Scholars programme?

The aim was to continue working on the presence of nano plastics in sea salt. We wanted to establish the level of plastic pollution in salt harvested on the Ile de Ré, which is representative of pollution on the West Coast, and see the effects of this pollution on animal health. To do this, we wanted to set up new measurement tools based on environmental DNA and RNA.

We also wanted to compare the toxicity of nano plastics extracted from sea salt, which had interacted with the environment, with polymers coming directly from the manufacturer and biosourced polymers, which are supposed to degrade rapidly after use.

What are environmental DNA and RNA?

Both are formidable non-invasive research tools that provide a wealth of information. By taking a glass of water, we can list all the species living in and around a body of water thanks to environmental DNA sequencing. All living organisms release DNA-carrying organic matter into their environment. DNA is so persistent and unique that we can gain a global overview of an ecosystem.

However, this technique has its limits. For example, it is not possible to distinguish between the DNA of a living or dead individual, or to know whether they were just passing through by leaving their DNA behind. On the other hand, environmental RNA, which is in fact a small segment of DNA, is only produced if the animal is alive and does not remain in the ecosystem for long.

DNA can also provide insight into an individual's state of health. We're therefore in the process of preparing the tools we need to carry out a health check on Canadian and French oysters.

What are the main obstacles to your research?

The lack of experts in nano plastic quantification. We're investing in training them, but it takes time. The few experts we have, including one in Bordeaux, have a huge amount of work and are often unable to respond to demands within given deadlines.

Do you also write children's books on these subjects?

Indeed. 2 000 copies of my books have been printed thanks to Canadian public funding so that children can access them for free. I was recently contacted by a publishing house that would like to publish my two books on plastic and environmental DNA. They'll be available in bookshops in English and French at the end of March 2025. 

What did you enjoy most about this opportunity?

Direct contact with the Ile de Ré salt producers. It was a very rewarding exchange and helped me to define my research questions. I'd like to thank the University of Bordeaux for this very enriching opportunity! 

* Environments and Paleo-environments of the Oceans and Continents. The two researchers work together within the framework of the MOBBIDIQ (mobilité bidiplômante internationale Bordeaux Québec) international double degree and co-supervise the students undertaking internships during the two years of the programme.