Determining microplastics in marine environments with citizen science - CEP

West Lakes by Virgil Milloss

Assessing impact of microplastics on marine environments through citizen science clean up events.

A series of recurring citizen science events across South Australian waterways including West Beach, and Patawalonga Lake, Brownhill Creek, West Lakes, Semaphore, North Haven, Largs Bay and Graden Island were assessed for micro and macro plastics.

Microplastics any plastic particles with a diameter of less than 5mm and can be hard to see with the naked eye. Macro and microplastics waste often makes its into our waterways with serious impacts on the health of wildlife and ecosystems.

All data collected from our citizen science survey clean up events are added to the CSIRO,  Australian Marine Debris and AusMaps databases and information provided to the South Australian Environmental Protection Authority.