Activity category: Aquatic litter
Year: 2021
Type: Scientific research
Status: Ongoing
Target areas: Greece
Target organisms:
Project website:
Partners
Funders
Activity category: Aquatic litter
Year: 2021
Type: Scientific research
Status: Ongoing
Target areas: Greece
Target organisms:
Project website:
Partners
Funders
Objectives
The main objectives of the project are to study the presence, abundance and chemical composition of microplastics in Greek seas and coastal areas, using surface seawater and sediment samples, that can also lead to thethe investigation and identification of potential sources of origin of microplastic pollution in the Greek seas.
Description
The “Typhoon Microplastic Project” is implemented by the environmental organisation iSea in collaboration with the A. C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation and the trained crew of the vessel “Typhoon”. Within the project, surface seawater and sediment samples are collected from various locations using specialised equipment, such as a manta net for surface water sampling. The samples undergo laboratory processing for the separation and analysis of microplastics, which are observed under a stereomicroscope and identified using Raman or FTIR spectrometry.
The research data contribute to improving knowledge on the presence of microplastics in Greek marine ecosystems and support further scientific studies as well as awareness-raising actions aimed at reducing plastic pollution.
Results
The dominant polymers identified were polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polystyrene (PS), materials mainly used in the packaging industry and in SingleUsed Plastics. Polystyrene (foam), in particular, may originate primarily from insulating materials, such as fish transport boxes used in fishing activities or aquaculture facilities.