“Microplastics: From the Ocean to the Plate” will be the theme of the next Science Bar 2026

[Press Release] - Published on April 2, 2026 in Press Room, Science and Society

On Thursday, April 16, starting at 7:30 p.m., the fourth Science Bar of the year will take place, organized by the University of Montpellier. For this event, Sylvain Catrouillet, associate professor at the UM Faculty of Sciences and researcher in polymer chemistry and physical chemistry at the ICGM, Xavier Cousin, an INRAE research fellow at the MARBEC laboratory, and Laura Arsenie, a lecturer in polymer chemistry at Polytech Montpellier and a researcher at ICGM, will be present to facilitate a dialogue between researchers and the public on microplastics.

The Bar des sciences has become one of Montpellier’s flagship events for science outreach, offering a monthly participatory public discussion on all aspects of science from January through June. Throughout the season, scientists are invited to engage in a dialogue where their knowledge and practices are not only shared but also open to discussion. The season is co-produced by the University of Montpellier’s scientific culture departments and its partners: INRAE, INSERM, IRD, and the Faculty of Sciences, with support from Radio Aviva.

A Science Bar dedicated to microplastics

Microplastics—plastic particles smaller than 5 mm made of synthetic polymers—are now found everywhere: in the oceans, the air, the soil, our food, and even in human blood. Their ubiquity makes them one of the major environmental challenges of the 21st century.

Where do these particles come from? What effects might they have on wildlife, plants, and human health? How do researchers detect and study them? And most importantly, what scientific solutions are emerging to limit or eliminate these persistent pollutants?

To discuss this topic at the intersection of science and society, three multidisciplinary experts will answer questions from the audience:

• Sylvain Catrouillet is an associate professor in the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Montpellier and a researcher in polymer chemistry and physical chemistry at the Charles Gerhardt Institute (ICGM – University of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM). His work focuses on the relationship between the chemical structure of polymers and the architectures they adopt when they self-assemble in solution.

• Xavier Cousin is a research scientist at INRAE within the MARine Biodiversity, Exploitation and Conservation (MARBEC) laboratory (INRAE, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, University of Montpellier). He studies the effects of micro- and nanoplastics and associated chemicals on fish physiology.
• Laura Arsenie is an associate professor of polymer chemistry at Polytech Montpellier and a researcher at the Charles Gerhardt Institute (ICGM and Polytech Montpellier – University of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM). She is developing new approaches to polymers for environmental and health applications, particularly materials for pollutant capture and antifouling (anti-fouling).

Once again this year, the Bar des Sciences is supported by the University of Montpellier’s “Science with and for Society” (SAPS) ministerial certification. As part of this certification, we remain committed to making scientific culture increasingly accessible. Special attention will be given to the inclusion of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals at every Bar des Sciences event. This event features sign language interpretation provided by Des’L Interprétation.