“Microplastics: From the Ocean to the Plate” will be the theme of the next Bar des sciences 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 theUM Faculty of SciencesUM researcher in polymer chemistry and physical chemistry at ICGM, Xavier Cousin, an INRAE research scientist at the MARBEC laboratory, and Laura Arsenie, an associate professor of polymer chemistry at Polytech Montpellier and a researcher at ICGM, will be on hand to facilitate a dialogue between researchers and the public on the topic of microplastics.

The Bar des sciences has become one of Montpellier’s flagship events for scientific culture, offering a participatory, community-driven discussion on all aspects of science once a month 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 theUM ’s scientific culture departmentsUM its partners—INRAE, INSERM, IRD, and the Faculty of Sciences—with support from Radio Aviva.

A Science Bar Focused on Microplastics

Microplastics—plastic particles smaller than 5 mm made of chemical 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 reduce or eliminate these persistent pollutants?

To discuss this topic—science and society—three experts from various disciplines 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 research focuses on the relationship between the chemical structure of polymers and the architectures they form when they self-assemble in solution.

• Xavier Cousin is a research scientist at INRAE in the MARine Biodiversity, Exploitation and Conservation (MARBEC – INRAE, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, University of Montpellier) laboratory. 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 involving polymers for environmental and health applications, particularly materials for pollutant capture and antifouling (anti-adhesive) coatings.

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