Coastal Transition Zones under Natural and Human Pressures

Citizen Science on microplastics: The BEAGLE Microplastics North Atlantic Project

The challenge: In search of data

The issue of microplastics (MPs) in the marine environment has been in the public eye for several years. There is a great demand for accurate data on the spatial and temporal variations of global MP concentration, composition, and size distribution to understand the diverse impacts of these pollutants. On their own, marine research institutes around the world do not have the capacity to conduct such comprehensive assessments. Therefore, various approaches aim at involving committed non-scientists/-experts to broaden the database for professional institutions. In this manner, it should be possible to generate additional data of sufficient quality at lower cost and climate impact.

While preparing for their tour across the North Atlantic, two sailors decided to use their free time on board the center cockpit steel yacht “Beagle” (11 m/11 tons) to try and support the planet's largest ecosystem through MP research. The analysis of the volume-reduced MP-water samples was carried out under the umbrella of the SOOP | Shaping an Ocean Of Possibilities for science-industry innovation platform.

Sampling and approach

Results and Data

Laboratory sample treatment

Outlook

It is rather difficult to collect MP samples during a sailing trip due to the high dependence on the weather conditions. This emphasizes the need for more advanced MP sampling tools that can be utilized by non-scientist/-experts to gather information of higher statistical significance in the future. For example, collecting the samples with a small pump filter cascade system in sub-surface waters would yield more information. Conversely, it would also be much more resource intensive and costly. The results from this study might help navigate this trade-off in future investigations.

Beagle Report 5.0 Citizen-science-final (945 KB)