Broadscale Microplastic Assessment

Brief description

The Broadscale Microplastic Assessment, the first statewide evaluation of microplastic contamination across 120 estuaries in New South Wales. Designed to establish a baseline understanding of microplastic contamination in estuarine environments, this project and methodology framework delivers a comparable dataset that enables assessment of contamination at local, regional, and statewide scales.

This data and associated dashboard supports evidence-based decision-making by councils, government agencies, and community stakeholders. It enables users to identify contamination hotspots, compare estuaries, examine potential sources and drivers, and prioritise areas for management action and future monitoring.

The assessment was undertaken by the Water, Wetlands & Coastal Science team within the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. The initiative was commissioned by the NSW Environment Protection Authority under the NSW Government’s Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy and was part-funded through the Marine Estate Management Strategy.