Emergenze ambientali e “Citizen Science”: come la contaminazione da microplastiche viene percepita da studenti UNIMORE.

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) pollution is one of the most important environmental emergencies. Since microplastics have an anthropogenic origin, it is of interest to evaluate how much “citizens” are aware of the problem and mainly if they are aware of how daily activities can affect the release of microplastics into the environment. In this study, citizens are represented by students from Modena and Reggio Emilia University (Italy), who were enrolled in undergraduate programmes with a scientific focus. The level of perception in the student population of the problem of microplastics, together with the differences between students from different undergraduate programmes (students enrolled in Natural Sciences and Biological Sciences vs. other courses with a scientific focus), was measured by means of a questionnaire of 30 questions. The researchers of the Department of Life Sciences of our University developed this questionnaire. Overall, 220 students completed the questionnaire on a voluntary basis: 146 were enrolled in undergraduate programmes in Biological Sciences and Natural Sciences and 74 in Biotechnology, Mathematics, Computer Science and Geology. The results have shown that there were no differences in knowledge and attitudes between gender and the undergraduate courses attended. Students seem to be aware of the distribution and effects of MNPs on ecosystems but are less informed about the nature and effects that MNPs could have on human health. Thus, good knowledge does not always translate into actions planned to mitigate the problem. As a first step forward, environmental education programmes should be promoted to increase knowledge and awareness of how the massive use of plastic affects ecosystems and humans, and what behaviours should be pursued in future mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]