Explorer Katlin Bowman has spent nearly a year of her life at sea, spanning 12 expeditions. She studies mercury chemistry in marine environments. Mercury levels in the ocean are on the rise, due to human activities like fossil fuel combustion and gold mining. Currently, Katlin is studying how microplastic pollution in San Francisco Bay impacts mercury cycling.

Ask questions by using #ExplorerClassroom on Twitter!

Inspired to help Katlin Bowman address ocean plastics? Check out natgeokids.com/KidsVsPlastic and http://bit.ly/GeoChallenge18

Please Note: Explorer Classroom sessions are live events hosted on YouTube. They are open to the public and recorded. Please share these terms with parents of students who will participate live on camera. If any parents or students prefer not to be on camera, please accommodate their wishes in your classroom.