Scientific program
2020 expedition
The scientific studies of SEA Plastics are built according to the needs of researchers and the current understanding of the marine world. As the issues and knowledge around microplastics evolve over the years, we are setting up active collaborations with researchers who inform us of new issues and their current needs in terms of physical data, environmental samples and experimental protocols.
Phase 1: Sampling
The studies initiated last year alongside researchers from AgroParisTech (UMR SayFood) and the National Metrology and Testing Laboratory (LNE) will be continued during the 2022 expedition.
The experiments implemented will aim to develop new methods for the identification and quantification of microplastics and nanoplastics in seawater.
A sampling campaign will be carried out along the route of the 2020 expedition on the coasts of France, Spain and the Balearic Islands. Samples will be collected every morning, and a first analysis will take place on the ship to obtain real-time data on the concentration of micro-plastics.
Database feeding
Some of the samples collected will be used to feed databases, which will serve as references concerning plastic pollution in the marine environment.
A new collaboration has been set up with the Swiss association Oceaneye . We are happy to participate in its citizen science program by being part of their network of volunteer sailboats collecting samples of microplastics. These will be sent to the association's laboratory for analysis and study in Geneva. The data generated will then be integrated into the Oceaneye microplastic pollution map and shared with international organizations (IUCN, G2,0 , United Nations Environment Programme) as an aid to political and economic decision-making.
The collection of samples for Oceaneye will be done using another manta net, loaned by the Swiss Cetacean Society , a Swiss NGO dedicated to the conservation of marine mammals and ensuring the logistics at sea of environmental scientific programs.
A sampling campaign will be carried out along the route of the 2020 expedition on the coasts of France, Spain and the Balearic Islands. Samples will be collected every morning, and a first analysis will take place on the ship to obtain real-time data on the concentration of micro-plastics.
Autonomous on-board experiences on new themes
The 2022 expedition will also be an opportunity to set up our own experiments to contribute to a better understanding of microplastic pollution. We are looking at two themes:
1. the transport of micropollutants by microplastics
2. Aging of microplastics under environmental conditions
Two experiments will be on board our laboratory sailboat, designed with the help of the CEL laboratory at EPFL.
The samples and products from our experiments on board will be analyzed by Laurine, during her master's project from September 2022.
A sampling campaign will be carried out along the route of the 2020 expedition on the coasts of France, Spain and the Balearic Islands. Samples will be collected every morning, and a first analysis will take place on the ship to obtain real-time data on the concentration of micro-plastics.
