The problem is smaller than you think –mapping microplastics using citizen science

AAEE NSW 4 October 2019

Marine debris = man-made materials in our

waterways - up to 90% is plastic

= ‘plastic pollution’Nusa Lembongan, Bali

Photo: NickPumphrey.com

▪ Participants collect data on the presence of microplastics in their

local environment – from coasts to catchments

▪ By engaging schools, corporations and communities in citizen

science activities people ‘learn by doing’

▪ Support behavioural change and improved management

Research Community

GovernmentEducation

Core Partners

22/10/2019 4

COLLABORATORS

22/10/2019 5

AUSMAP - Sample microplastic hotspots

TYPOLOGY - sizes, shapes, colours & types

IDENTIFY SOURCES

SOLUTIONS

Research and Development

BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE

MANAGEMENT & POLICY DECISIONS

Regional Hubs (EECs, NRM,

LG, NGOs) established and trained

Hubs recruit community groups and

schools

Follow AUSMAP manual and

standard methods

Data recorded and sub sample

sent to University partners for

QA/QC

Validated data addedto website

and hotspot map

Field guides for beaches, estuaries and Mangroves

Training and Promo Videos

Complete units of work for various KLAs for Years 7-12

• Science

• Geography

• Investigating Science

• Earth & Environmental Science

../../Education & curriculum materials/FINAL - Investigating Science/S6 Investigating Science Inspired by AUSMAP -FINAL.pdf

Stand-alone, one day program

• Can be integrated into any KLA from Years 7-12

• Can be promoted as cross-curricular or extra-curricular

• Registered Professional Learning - 7 Hours

• Course Code: RG04006 - Register via MyPL (NSW)

• OVERVIEW - This instructor led course will allow participants to develop the necessary knowledge and skills to undertake a site assessment, gather data, analyse the data and report the findings as per agreed protocols.

• This training will target local Environmental and Zoo Education Centre (EZEC) teachers to learn the methodology and the correct way to operate the microplastics sampling kits, identify and classify microplastics, record and report results to ensure viable citizen science data.

Completing Teaching Science and Technology K-6 with Confidence will contribute 5 hours of NESA Registered

PD addressing 6.2, 2.1, 2.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards

maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW

Sampling Layout

50

m

5m

Belt Transect Group 1

Belt Transect Group 2

Randomised Quadrats

5m

50

m

LegendMicroplastic quadrats

(randomised using app). Minimum 3 per site.

Macro debris belt transect. Follows strandline.

Strandline or High Water Mark

* Diagram not to scale

Complete the

Site Assessment Sheetat the start of each event

Plastic Type

(hard fragments, pellets, films, foams, fibres)

Colour

(incl. clear & opaque)

Size

(5mm)

Shape

(cylindrical, rounded, angular, irregular)

Amount Comments

(fresh, weathered, grooved, fracturing)

All data for microplastics and macro debris need to be recorded on the appropriate data sheets

Microplastic data▪ Once compiled and recorded on data sheet, send to AUSMAP

(info@ausmap.org)

Macro-debris data▪ Once compiled and recorded on data sheet, send to AUSMAP

(info@ausmap.org)

▪ Also, enter pooled data (all transects onto 1 dataset) into the Tangaroa Blue website (https://www.tangaroablue.org/database.html)

mailto:info@ausmap.orgmailto:info@ausmap.orghttps://www.tangaroablue.org/database.html

Estimated schedule for one site for full program:

(can be modified depending on program delivery)

▪ Field assessment (complete microplastic sampling first) 1 hr

▪ Sample processing and analysis (both micro and macro) 1 hr

▪ Data entry and reporting 0.5 hr

Results so far

▪ No. of samples collected = 155

▪ No. of locations sampled = 78

State

NSW 47

VIC 3

QLD 4

SA 5

WA 3

TAS 2

Habitat

Open Coast

23

Island (offshore)

3

Estuary 35

Mangrove 2

River 4

South East AustraliaVery Low (0-10, White),

Low (11-50, green),

Moderate (51-250, orange),

High (251-1000, red),

Very High (> 1000, Black)

Sydney Region

Sydney Harbour

Estuarine beachesOcean beaches

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

Amount of Plastics (per m²)Manly Cove

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Changes in Types of Plastic over Time (%)

Hard Fragment Foam Pellet Film Fibre

Behaviour & Fate of Marine Microplastics

• Hydrophobic• Same size range as natural prey (

30

Contaminants on plastics: Metal(loid)s

(PPM)

Maddison Carbery | 3075167

Region Site Compartment As Cd Cu Cr Pb Zn Fe

Hunter Port Stephens Microplastics 0.10 0.01 0.14 0.10 0.29 1.14

Stockton Microplastics 0.21 0.19 10.22 0.46 4.87 12.47

Throsby Ck Microplastics 0.24 0.15 17.22 0.49 4.00 13.04

Cockle Creek Microplastics 0.34 0.14 3.01 1.38 9.18 45.31

Dora Ck Microplastics 0.77 5.73 71.30 0.35 2.26 47.60

Sydney Athol Beach Microplastics 0.13 0.10 127.79 0.00 4.28 17.43 71.59

Curl Curl Lagoon Microplastics 0.12 0.10 1.34 0.16 2.14 9.74 160.08

Manly Cove Microplastics 0.04 0.04 0.23 0.00 0.97 0.93 28.14

Botany Bay (TP/KUR) Microplastics 0.15 0.09 0.86 0.67 4.95 5.72 201.85

CONTROL Microplastics 0.00 0.03 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.39 0.02

ANZECC Guidelines Sediment 20 1.50 65 80 50 200

Marine water 0.0007 0.0013 0.027 0.0044 0.015 1

Working with state and local government to reduce

plastics at the source:

▪ Eurobodalla ▪ public concern

▪ council installing ‘drain buddies’

▪ West Lakes ▪ identified hotspot

▪ school/ council/ EPA concern

▪ Dee Why Lagoon ▪ tracking sources

▪ significant ecological habitat

▪ council interest

Management and Policy Outcomes

Dr Michelle BlewittAUSMAP Program Director

Total Environment Centre

Michelleb@tec.org.au

Dr Scott WilsonResearch Scientist

Macquarie University

Scott.p.Wilson@mq.edu.au

Thank You

Practical Exercise!