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Dr Matthew Cole

Dr Matthew Cole

Research Fellow

 Geoffrey Pope 201

 

Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter , Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK

Overview

I am currently working with the University of Exeter, in collaboration with Plymouth Marine Laboratory, on a NERC funded project considering the biological and ecological impacts of microplastics in the marine environment.

Qualifications

  • PhD.
  • MSc Aquatic Biology & Resource Management (Distinction & Dean’s Commendation). 
  • BSc Biosciences (First Class with Honours & Dean’s Commendation). 

Career

  • Research Fellow. University of Exeter: July 2014 – present.
  • Research Scientist. Plymouth Marine Laboratory: April 2014 – June 2014.

Links

Research

Research interests

My research interests relate to the impacts of anthropogenic pollutants on aquatic life. Currently I am investigating how microscopic plastic (microplastic) pollution is impacting upon marine ecosystems. The NERC funded project explores the risks microplastic poses to the health and ecological function of marine zooplankton. 

Research projects

  • Synergistic impacts of microplastics and ocean acidification on zooplankton in the Southern Ocean (NERC GW4+ PhD). 
  • Microplastics in the marine environment: From top to bottom​ (NERC GW4+ PhD). 
  • Bioavailability and biological effects of microscopic plastic debris in the ocean (NERC funded project).

Publications

Key publications | Publications by category | Publications by year

Key publications

Cole MJ (2014). Impact of microplastics on zooplankton.

Publications by category

Journal articles

Cole M, Coppock R, Lindeque PK, Altin D, Reed S, Pond DW, Sørensen L, Galloway TS, Booth AM (2019). Effects of Nylon Microplastic on Feeding, Lipid Accumulation, and Moulting in a Coldwater Copepod. Environ Sci Technol, 53(12), 7075-7082. Abstract.  Author URL.  Full text.
Coppock RL, Cole M, Lindeque PK, Queirós AM, Galloway TS (2017). A small-scale, portable method for extracting microplastics from marine sediments. Environmental Pollution, 230, 829-837. Abstract.  Full text.
Galloway TS, Cole M, lewis C (2017). Interactions of microplastics throughout the marine ecosystem. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 1 Full text.
Steer M, Cole M, Thompson RC, Lindeque PK (2017). Microplastic ingestion in fish larvae in the western English Channel. Environ Pollut, 226, 250-259. Abstract.  Author URL.
Lusher AL, Welden NA, Sobral P, Cole M (2017). Sampling, isolating and identifying microplastics ingested by fish and invertebrates. Analytical Methods, 9(9), 1346-1360. Abstract.  Full text.
Cole M (2016). A novel method for preparing microplastic fibers. Sci Rep, 6 Abstract.  Author URL.  Full text.
Clark JR, Cole M, Lindeque PK, Fileman E, Blackford J, Lewis C, Lenton TM, Galloway TS (2016). Marine microplastic debris: a targeted plan for understanding and quantifying interactions with marine life. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 14, 317-324. Full text.
Cole M, Lindeque PK, Fileman E, Clark J, Lewis C, Halsband C, Galloway TS (2016). Microplastics Alter the Properties and Sinking Rates of Zooplankton Faecal Pellets. Environ Sci Technol, 50(6), 3239-3246. Abstract.  Author URL.  Full text.
Cole M, Galloway TS (2015). Ingestion of Nanoplastics and Microplastics by Pacific Oyster Larvae. Environ Sci Technol, 49(24), 14625-14632. Abstract.  Author URL.  Full text.
Cole M, Lindeque P, Fileman E, Halsband C, Galloway TS (2015). The impact of polystyrene microplastics on feeding, function and fecundity in the marine copepod Calanus helgolandicus. Environ Sci Technol, 49(2), 1130-1137. Abstract.  Author URL.  Full text.
Cole M, Webb H, Lindeque PK, Fileman ES, Halsband C, Galloway TS (2014). Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms. Sci Rep, 4 Abstract.  Author URL.  Full text.
Cole M, Lindeque P, Fileman E, Halsband C, Goodhead R, Moger J, Galloway TS (2013). Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton. Environ Sci Technol, 47(12), 6646-6655. Abstract.  Author URL.  Full text.
Cole M, Lindeque P, Halsband C, Galloway TS (2011). Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment: a review. Mar Pollut Bull, 62(12), 2588-2597. Abstract.  Author URL.  Full text.

Publications by year

2019

Cole M, Coppock R, Lindeque PK, Altin D, Reed S, Pond DW, Sørensen L, Galloway TS, Booth AM (2019). Effects of Nylon Microplastic on Feeding, Lipid Accumulation, and Moulting in a Coldwater Copepod. Environ Sci Technol, 53(12), 7075-7082. Abstract.  Author URL.  Full text.

2017

Coppock RL, Cole M, Lindeque PK, Queirós AM, Galloway TS (2017). A small-scale, portable method for extracting microplastics from marine sediments. Environmental Pollution, 230, 829-837. Abstract.  Full text.
Galloway TS, Cole M, lewis C (2017). Interactions of microplastics throughout the marine ecosystem. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 1 Full text.
Steer M, Cole M, Thompson RC, Lindeque PK (2017). Microplastic ingestion in fish larvae in the western English Channel. Environ Pollut, 226, 250-259. Abstract.  Author URL.
Lusher AL, Welden NA, Sobral P, Cole M (2017). Sampling, isolating and identifying microplastics ingested by fish and invertebrates. Analytical Methods, 9(9), 1346-1360. Abstract.  Full text.

2016

Cole M (2016). A novel method for preparing microplastic fibers. Sci Rep, 6 Abstract.  Author URL.  Full text.
Clark JR, Cole M, Lindeque PK, Fileman E, Blackford J, Lewis C, Lenton TM, Galloway TS (2016). Marine microplastic debris: a targeted plan for understanding and quantifying interactions with marine life. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 14, 317-324. Full text.
Cole M, Lindeque PK, Fileman E, Clark J, Lewis C, Halsband C, Galloway TS (2016). Microplastics Alter the Properties and Sinking Rates of Zooplankton Faecal Pellets. Environ Sci Technol, 50(6), 3239-3246. Abstract.  Author URL.  Full text.

2015

Cole M, Galloway TS (2015). Ingestion of Nanoplastics and Microplastics by Pacific Oyster Larvae. Environ Sci Technol, 49(24), 14625-14632. Abstract.  Author URL.  Full text.
Cole M, Lindeque P, Fileman E, Halsband C, Galloway TS (2015). The impact of polystyrene microplastics on feeding, function and fecundity in the marine copepod Calanus helgolandicus. Environ Sci Technol, 49(2), 1130-1137. Abstract.  Author URL.  Full text.

2014

Cole MJ (2014). Impact of microplastics on zooplankton.
Cole M, Webb H, Lindeque PK, Fileman ES, Halsband C, Galloway TS (2014). Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms. Sci Rep, 4 Abstract.  Author URL.  Full text.

2013

Cole M, Lindeque P, Fileman E, Halsband C, Goodhead R, Moger J, Galloway TS (2013). Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton. Environ Sci Technol, 47(12), 6646-6655. Abstract.  Author URL.  Full text.

2011

Cole M, Lindeque P, Halsband C, Galloway TS (2011). Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment: a review. Mar Pollut Bull, 62(12), 2588-2597. Abstract.  Author URL.  Full text.

Refresh publications

External Engagement and Impact

Committee/panel activities

  • Society of Ecotoxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) European annual conference (Brussels: May 2017). Session chair.
  • Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) aquatic sciences meeting (Granada, Spain: February 2015). Session co-chair.

Competitively funded studentships and postdoctoral fellowships

  • Synergistic impacts of microplastics and ocean acidification on zooplankton in the Southern Ocean (NERC GW4+ PhD). British Antarctic Survey / University of Exeter: October 2017.
  • Microplastics in the marine environment: From top to bottom​ (NERC GW4+ PhD). Plymouth Marine Laboratory / University of Exeter: October 2017.

Conferences and invited presentations

  • Society of Ecotoxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) European annual conference (Brussels: May 2017). ‘Interactions between microplastics and biota in the marine environment’ (poster).
  • Micro2016 – Fate and Impact of Microplastics in Marine Ecosystems: From the Coastline to the Open Sea (Lanzarote, Spain: May 2016). ‘Reconsidering the toxicity of microplastics: microfibres’ (oral).
  • Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) aquatic sciences meeting (Granada, Spain: February 2015). ‘Impact of microplastics on zooplankton’ (oral).
  • Pollution and the Marine Environment conference (Plymouth: September 2014). ‘Ingestion and egestion of microplastics by zooplankton’ (poster).
  • Ocean Plastic – Consequences and Solutions Meeting (Falmouth: July 2014). ‘Impact of microplastics on marine zooplankton’ (oral). 

Media Coverage

  • BBC One, InsideOut (October 2015). 
  • BBC Two, Springwatch (May 2015). 
  • BBC One, The One Show (March 2015). 

Research funding

  • Bioavailability and biological effects of microscopic plastic debris in the ocean. NERC standard grant.
  • Investigating microplastic contamination in coastal waters. Plymouth Marine Laboratory / University of Exeter collaboration fund.

Significant Impact

  • 'Plankton, Plastic & Poo' educational resources. http://digitalexplorer.com/resources/bank/?collection=plastic-oceans-14-16

Teaching

  • Supervision of postgraudate and undergraduate students.
  • Teaching on undergraduate marine biology module.

Supervision / Group

Postgraduate researchers

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