Research
My research investigates how plastic pollution, including microplastics, nanoplastics and plastic chemicals, moves through marine ecosystems and affects the organisms that depend on them. I combine experimental ecotoxicology with modelling and risk assessment, using toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic (TKTD) and DEBtox models alongside weight-of-evidence (WOE) approaches to characterise hazard and support evidence-based marine management.
Current research (2026–2029)
Micromix research project
As a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Marine Biological Association (Plymouth, UK), I investigate how microplastics interact with chemical pollutants, climate variables and ecological processes across marine environments and trophic levels. One main purpose of this interdisciplinary project is to translate these findings into risk assessment estimation relevant to regulators, policy-makers and conservation stakeholders.
Doctoral research (2021–2025)
Plasfito Research Project
My PhD, undertaken jointly at the University of Bordeaux (EPOC laboratory) and the University of the Basque Country (Plentzia Marine Station), investigated the fate and effects of microplastics, nanoplastics and plastic chemicals released by the degradation of fishing gear. The study region spanned the Southeastern Bay of Biscay.
The work combined macroplastic ageing, particle quantification and characterisation (LDIR, ATR-FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, SEM) with experimental ecotoxicology on marine organisms, microalgae copepods, fish and fish cells, alongside field sampling and environmental risk and transport modelling.
Science and sailing: the Vendée Globe collaboration
As part of a Science and Sailing collaboration, seawater samples collected by skippers during the 2020 Vendée Globe — a solo, non-stop round-the-world race — were analysed for microplastics across the Atlantic, Southern and Pacific Oceans. This work revealed a marked dominance of cellulosic and synthetic microfibres in the ocean’s upper layers, extending microplastics monitoring to remote regions of the open ocean that are otherwise very difficult to sample (El Rakwe et al., 2026). See the full study ↓
Peer-reviewed articles
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Dominance of cellulosic and synthetic microfibers in upper layers of the Atlantic Ocean: evidence from the Vendée Globe 2020 raceJournal article
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From sea to shore: estimating used, lost and stranded fishing gear in the Southeastern Bay of Biscay through models and a novel gear identification keyJournal article
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Distinct toxicity profiles of conventional and biodegradable fishing nets’ leachates after artificial agingJournal article
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Mission Tara Microplastics: a holistic set of protocols and data resources for the field investigation of plastic pollution along the land-sea continuum in EuropeJournal article
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Spatial distribution of anthropogenic particles and microplastics in a meso-tidal lagoon (Arcachon Bay, France): a multi-compartment approachJournal article
Thesis, conference contributions & other outputs
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Fate and effects of microplastics, nanoplastics and additives resulting from the degradation of fishing gear during their life cycle. Study in the Bay of BiscayPhD thesis
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Multi-species toxicity of leachates containing microplastics, nanoplastics and additives from artificially aged oil-based and partially biobased and biodegradable fishing netsConference contribution
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How scientific networks can help advancing both scientific knowledge and public policies: the case study of the “Plastics, Environment and Health” networkConference contribution
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Ecotoxicity of fishing nets leachates after up to one year of in situ weathering in two harbors of the Bay of BiscayConference contribution
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The journey of fishing gear in the Southern Bay of Biscay: from source to sink and vice versaConference contribution
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Assessment of microplastic pollution in Atlantic Ocean based on Science and Sailing collaborationConference contribution
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Étude de la contamination par les microplastiques de l’écosystème et des produits de la mer dans le Bassin d’Arcachon — Projet ARPLASTICProject report
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Degradation and ecotoxicity of new and used fishing nets. First results of a research project in the south-eastern Bay of BiscayReport
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MicroplasticsNewsletter article
Full and continuously updated list on Google Scholar.