Dr Nina Wootton

I am a diverse and flexible researcher, with a number of key areas where my research is currently focused.

Marine plastic pollution

Plastics broadly are recognised as causing havoc to the marine ecosystem. My research focuses on plastic particularly from a seafood angle, where we quantify the amount of plastic and microplastic found in seafood species globally; analyse the potential effects of plastic on seafood species and fisheries and work with the seafood industry to help develop solutions to this growing plastic problem. Within the Gillanders Lab group we have a range of plastic related projects, including quantifying plastic in mangroves and seagrass, developing methods to analyse the chemical components of plastic in the marine environment, and learning more about the plasticsphere. We are currently working on developing a set of standard operating procedures for best practices of microplastic sampling in Australia. 

Blue carbon ecosystems

Coastal carbon ecosystems (seagrass, mangrove and saltmarsh) can sequester and store carbon at much higher quantities than terrestrial areas. I work alongside a team of researchers from around Australia (led by Deakin University) to develop a best practice guide to assessing the success of coastal wetland restoration projects using a framework known as Environmental Economic Accounting (EEA). I am particularly focused on developing the cultural account, to ensure the accounting system can appropriately account for Indigenous benefits and services of coastal carbon ecosystems. 

Science education 

Sharing knowledge and information to the general public, and particularly school students is something that I am particularly passionate about. I work alongside a team of researchers from the School of Social Sciences to teach school students about out fabulous blue backyard. This project, named 'Finding the Fab Five', travels to regional and remote schools around South Australia to help young people understand the importance of our marine environment, what we are doing to protect it, and how First Nations' People have been protecting their Sea Country for thousands of years. As part of the school workshops, students create artworks to display their learnings - you can find an online gallery of some of the artworks here.