This experiment is part of the Ocean Solutions Challenge Grant. Browse more projects

Microplastic Monitoring Network in Islands and Coastal Zone

$1,376
Raised of $1,376 Goal
100%
Funded on 3/10/23
Successfully Funded
  • $1,376
    pledged
  • 100%
    funded
  • Funded
    on 3/10/23

Project Results

https://drive.google.com/file/...We are happy to share the result of microplastic monitoring after three months of sample work, pilot microplastic monitoring. Acquiring information on abundance, occurrence and distribution over 170 km, in addition to seasonal accumulation patterns and the most common types, as well as some important indicators of marine pollution along the coast of Santa Catarina.

About This Project

The coast of Santa Catarina represents 7% of the Brazilian coast and contains 6 areas relevant to conservation. Currently, we do not know the occurrence, distribution and abundance of microplastics in most of the beaches of this coast. The project aims to train a network of citizen scientists for unified microplastic monitoring, collecting different types in an area of 25 meters over 3 months and analyzing this information, creating a baseline for regulating plastic use in conservation areas.

Ask the Scientists

Join The Discussion

What is the context of this research?

Single-use products have become a day to day habit and plastic is embedded in every minute of our lives, including before birth. According to a preliminary census of marine litter, about 8 million tons of plastic are released every year into rivers and seas, with the majority being produced by very populated nations, such as Brazil and China. Microplastics, for instance, may be invisible to distracted people, however, anyone that takes a closer look will see these tiny pieces of plastic everywhere near the ocean (according to a study about the worldwide distribution of microplastics). See examples of negative effects of microplastics on zooplankton, fishes, whales, and humans.



What is the significance of this project?

We understand that replication of a unified methodology for collecting marine pollution data is a gap raised by the high-level discussions of the Oceans Decade. A network trained with a unified and adapted methodology has the potential to collect data on plastic pollution and keep the community engaged through direct actions to clean the microplastic beaches. The creation of environmental indicators and data brings the community closer to managers for the creation of public policies that regulate the use of plastic in conservation areas.

In-depth analysis can point to the sources and types of microplastics, expanding discussions on waste management in the islands and the coastal zone of southern brazil.

What are the goals of the project?

The project aims to create a network of citizen scientists engaging stakeholders and the community in monitoring microplastic pollution and plastic waste, using low-cost infrastructure and easy-to-replicate methodology to acquire high-quality standardized data on different marine sites in Brazil.

Building a local and regional database of marine litter to be further analyzed and converted into marine pollution indicators of multiple uses in decision-making.

Identify the temporal and spatial variation of pollution,
Assessing environmental and social factors and guiding change in consumer behavior.


Budget

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Currently, the project is recognized as an Official Action of the Decade of the Oceans by Unesco, but we intend for the project to become a Program and the protocol to be implemented in long-term monitoring. Network training (training) is an important key to ensure that the data collected is of good quality and the products delivered are reliable. At least 2 Cape Verde islands are already using the methodology beyond the beaches of Santa Catarina Island (BRA) in this way, the expansion of the network and income generation for local communities through monitoring, generates commitment to the results (fellowship). The project's opportunity to acquire a prototype for cleaning microplastics from the beach is really very important, as well as all the work spent on analysis. We are fully committed to the development work.

Each team will receive a work kit, with collection materials and a T-shirt
An extra day of training was arranged with an extra team.


Endorsed by

Um excelente modelo de ciência cidadã, tendo como objetivo o monitoramento do microplástico. Sua metodologia simples e de fácil acesso viabiliza a aplicação tanto por amadores, quanto por pesquisadores profissionais. É um instrumento científico de baixo custo e alto índice de eficiência, podendo ser replicado ao longo das zonas costeiras do mundo todo. O fomento desta pesquisa em diferentes pontos amostrais possibilitará uma maior compreensão na relação da presença desses micro resíduos, com a circulação e dinâmica do Oceano.
I recognize this project as an excellent opportunity to improve our understanding of microplastic pollution in the Ocean and develop a collaborative network engaged in generating high-quality and meaningful information to support nature conservation and decision-making. The project has great potential to be reproduced worldwide regardless of the technological capacity, and it is a cutting-edge monitoring effort for an underestimated global problem that links environmental assessment, data-sharing best practices, and open science workflows.

Project Timeline

The project needs at least a 3-month data acquisition pilot. The communication plan for the alert and preservation campaign take up to 20 days [between formulation and dissemination] to be disclosed among the chosen municipalities. Within the 30 days foreseen [1 week will be for training the monitors by region, the collection will be every fortnight]. The report will be presented to the decision makers. The construction of the prototype depends on the manufacturer's time.

Feb 08, 2023

Project Launched

Mar 15, 2023

Communication Plan

Mar 30, 2023

Training

May 20, 2023

Prototype Construction

Jun 30, 2023

Monitoring

Meet the Team

Ana Carolina moreira de oliveira
Ana Carolina moreira de oliveira

Affiliates

Our Blue Hands/Deep Blue Ambiental/ GEF/UNDP Cape Verde/ QuercusCV
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Ana Carolina moreira de oliveira

https://glispa.org/bright-spot...

Surfer, mother, environmental manager, technician in Meteorology, Master in Geosciences and Post-Master in Oceanography. Environmental consultant focused on plastic pollution at UNDP Cape Verde. Seeking to preserve the Oceans for future generations.


Project Backers

  • 4Backers
  • 100%Funded
  • $1,376Total Donations
  • $344.00Average Donation
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