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Description
Marine litter presence in the oceans, specially plastics and microplastics, represents a major environmental threat with impacts on marine flora and fauna.The monitoring of marine litter and microplastics in the sea, for the identification of sites with larger occurrence and accumulation of plastic and other wastes, is essential to assess the extension and dispersion of the problem. However, this monitoring requires baseline information (i.e. information of pristine areas), that is lacking due to methodological difficulties and the cost of these evaluations.
NRP Sagres Circum-Navigation voyage
Summary of the results
During both voyages, the ships and crews belonged to the Portuguese Navy, specifically the NRP Sagres and NRP Almirante Gago Coutinho.
Two online meetings were held with NIVA to define data sampling strategies, processing methods, analysis protocols, and result reporting procedures.
A fellowship grant was awarded to support the analysis and interpretation of data at the Hydrographic Institute (IH).
Sample analysis was conducted at both IH and NIVA facilities, utilizing the equipment available at each institute.
The bilateral collaboration between IH and NIVA facilitated the standardization of procedures for sample analysis and result interpretation.
Addressing a growing environmental concern, the presence of microplastics in water was investigated using data collected during the 2020 circumnavigation voyage of the NRP Sagres. Water samples were gathered throughout the Atlantic Ocean, and their characterization and data interpretation were carried out collaboratively by IH and NIVA. This partnership not only ensured standardized analysis procedures but also fostered the exchange of junior researchers between the two institutions, strengthening scientific cooperation.