NESP MaC Project 1.18 - Managing microplastics in south-eastern Australian coastal waters: identifying knowledge gaps

Research Project

Researchers: Reis Santos, Patrick (Principal investigator) ,  Reis Santos, Patrick (Principal investigator) ,  Emma Flukes (Point of contact) ,  Emma Flukes (Point of contact)

Brief description This record provides an overview of the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub small-scale study - "Microplastics in South Eastern Australian coastal waters: synthesising current data and identifying key knowledge gaps for the management of plastic pollution". For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata. -------------------- Plastic pollution is pervasive in coastal environments globally and in Australia. Due to their small size, microplastics (pieces <5mm) are readily ingested by marine organisms and potentially accumulate across food webs, raising concerns for biota, ecosystem services and human health. Yet, to define guidelines and support policy actions that curb microplastic pollution, managers and decision-makers lack clear, synthesised information on this multifaceted issue, including on occurrence, sources, and pathways of microplastics in coastal and marine environments. This project produces a synthesis of current data on microplastics in South Eastern Australian coastal waters (i.e. South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales) and identify key knowledge gaps for the management of plastic pollution. Outputs • List of compiled datasets relating to microplastics in SE Aus waters [spatial dataset] • Scoping document synthesising the information available on the presence of microplastics in coastal marine environments in South Eastern Australia, its potential sources and pathways [written]

Lineage Maintenance and Update Frequency: asNeeded

Notes Credit
Patrick Reis Santos (University of Adelaide), Bronwyn Gillanders (University of Adelaide), Sophie Leterme (Flinders University), Scott Wilson (Macquarie University), Stephen Swearer (University of Melbourne), Michelle Blewitt (Total Environment Centre/AUSMAP)

Notes Credit
National Environmental Science Program (NESP) Marine and Coastal Hub

Notes Credit
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE), Australian Government

Notes Credit
In addition to NESP (DAWE) funding, this project is matched by an equivalent amount of in-kind support and co-investment from project partners and collaborators.

Notes Purpose
To improve understanding of the current context of microplastic contamination and advance to reduce sources and abate microplastic waste in coastal environments.

Data time period: 2021-09-01 to 2022-03-31

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