Thi Hoa Tran

Education

• MSc Biotechnology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, 2022

• Bachelor Eng Biotechnology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, 2020

Project Title 

Investigation of Metal Adsorption onto Microplastics and Their Impact on Aquatic Organisms in the Red River Delta Region.

Summary

The pollution of plastic waste in aquatic environments is currently one of the foremost concerns, with millions of tons of plastic discharged into the seas annually, causing severe impacts on organisms. Existing studies have focused on the presence of plastic and pollutants absorbed by plastic in aquatic environments and biological communities. However, the correlation between microplastics (MP) and trace metals in different areas of the environment is often overlooked. In fact, current MP analyses have primarily concentrated on coastal areas and river mouths in Vietnam. However, there are very few studies on MP conducted in the Red River Delta to provide a comprehensive overview of the pollution situation.

The objective of this thesis is to investigate the ecological toxicity of synthetic polymer types in aquatic environments on aquatic species, especially the influence of absorbed metals on the surface of MP. The research focuses on determining the role as an intermediate vector of MP in transmitting elements into the organisms' bodies. Simultaneously, it clarifies the toxicity of various metal types on organisms through changes in the concentration of certain enzymes such as glutathione-S-transferase, catalase, acetylcholinesterase, carboxylesterase, and lysozyme (GST, CAT, AChE, CaEs, and LYS). The study aims to strengthen the importance of utilizing intergrated biomarkers in monitoring and early warning of aquatic pollution.

Keywords

Microplastics, trace metals, intergrated biomarkers.

Field site

The Red River Delta region

Supervisor

Prof. Dr. Yue Gao

Prof. Dr. Martine Leermakers