Personal profile
Biography
I am a biological oceanographer interested in the role of microbial trophic pathways in regulating the cycling of carbon and other climatically important elements in the World Ocean. I am also interested in the distribution, sources and impacts of microplastics in aquatic environments and am passionate about improving equality, diversity and inclusivity in the Environmental Sciences. I have been at the University of Portsmouth since September 2006, before which I worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow with Dr Richard Rivkin at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada.
Research Interests
My main research interests include:
- The role of microbial trophic pathways in regulating the cycling of biogenic carbon.
- Regulation of growth and loss processes of marine bacteria and phytoplankton in contrasting biogeochemical provinces.
- Effects of grazing and nutrient limitation on microbial community structure.
- Importance of microbial diversity to ecosystem function in marine systems.
- Equality, diversity and inclusion in Environmental Sciences.
- The distribution and impact of microplastics in aquatic environments.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 14 Life Below Water
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Acute microbial and nutrient responses to elevated temperature and pCO2: A coastal UK microcosm study
Marx, L., Hale, M., Cael, B. B. & Reynolds, S., 1 Mar 2026, In: Regional Studies in Marine Science . 95, 10 p., 104814.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Downloads (Pure) -
Microbial controls on carbon pump partitioning in the subtropical North Atlantic: stoichiometry and nutrient limitation across a basin-scale transect
Marx, L., Mawji, E., Cariou, T., Cael, B. B., Hale, M. & Reynolds, S., 6 May 2026, In: Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans. 131, 5, 16 p., e2025JC023638.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Biogeochemical and microbial community responses to anthropogenic nutrient inputs into the Solent
Marx, L., Hale, M., Cael, B. B. & Reynolds, S., 1 Jul 2025, In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. 216, 10 p., 117982.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile43 Downloads (Pure) -
Increasing our understanding of coastal microplastics and mesoplastics: a comparison of sampling methodologies using volunteer researchers
Jones, D. M., Potts, J. & Hale, M. S., 24 May 2025, In: Journal of Coastal Conservation. 29, 3, 12 p., 27.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile52 Downloads (Pure) -
The potential contribution of citizen science data in the study of coastal microplastic and mesoplastic distributions
Jones, D. M., Potts, J. & Hale, M., 21 Jul 2025, In: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 197, 19 p., 936.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile63 Downloads (Pure)
Projects
- 5 Finished
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Production of microplastics during pipe cutting and fitting on building sites
Hale, M. (PI) & Couceiro, F. (CoI)
23/12/24 → 22/12/25
Project: Research
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Co-creating solutions to overcome the barriers that exclude students of Bangladeshi heritage from studying environmental science
Hale, M. (PI), Hoque, M. (CoI), Inkpen, R. (CoI), Rumble, H. (CoI) & Whitmarsh, B. (CoI)
1/12/21 → 31/05/22
Project: Research
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Pathogen concentration on microplastics and associated ecotoxicity in the marine environment
Watts, J. (PI), Couceiro, F. (CoI), Hale, M. (CoI), Preston, J. (CoI) & Williams, J. (CoI)
1/07/18 → 31/07/19
Project: Research
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The distribution and composition of marine litter and water quality of Langstone Harbour
Hendy, I. (PI), Hale, M. (CoI), Watts, J. (CoI), Farrell, P. (CoI) & Potts, J. (CoI)
1/10/17 → 30/09/18
Project: Research
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Quantifying annual cycles of macronutrient fluxes and net effect of transormations in an estuary
Fones, G. (PI), Watts, J. (CoI), Hale, M. (CoI) & Couceiro, F. (CoI)
Natural Environment Research Council
1/12/12 → 29/02/16
Project: Research
Press/Media
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Michelle Hale interview on what she hopes to see in the new budget 2020
11/03/20
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert comment
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Antimicrobial resistance potential in aquaculture makes the treatment of infectious diseases much more difficult
Watts, J., Hale, M. & Schreier, H.
6/05/19
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research cited