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ITW Hélène Plihon - Geochemist, PhD Candidate

Discover How Human Activity Damages Brazilian Mangroves - A Vital Ecosystem For Our Climate

June 7, 2023

Did you know Brazilian mangroves can absorb up to 4 times more carbon than Amazonian forest trees?

Hélène Plihon is a geochemist and PhD candidate who is a member of the laboratory "Marine Environmental Chemistry" led by Dr. Stéphane Mounier at the Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography of Marseille.

Mangroves are vital ecosystems that provide numerous benefits to local communities and the wider world. They are known to sequester large amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. However, mangroves are also under threat from various sources of contamination, including industrial and agricultural pollution.

By studying mangroves in Ceará, Brazil, Hélène is shedding new light on the spatial distribution of contaminants in this important ecosystem. Her research uses a range of analytical techniques to identify and quantify various pollutants in the environment, and to understand how they interact with different components of the ecosystem.

Overall, Hélène's work is crucially important for informing policies and practices aimed at protecting mangroves and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Her research highlights the need for continued efforts to monitor and address pollution in mangrove ecosystems and the value of understanding. In this new episode, discover Hélène's research and how we can raise awareness of the importance of mangroves.

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