C.S.I For The Ocean

During our Autumn tours we hosted researchers from Staffs Uni forensics department who are developing a citizen science microplastics testing system. Currently microplastics testing has been reserved for very strict laboratory proceeds and sampling. However the project dream is to develop a kit that anyone can use to gather data and create more information about how much microplastic is contained within our oceans.

We were able to trial the sampling methodology from the boat around a number of sites around Argyll. This ranged from bays around population centres of Oban & Tobermory to remote locations offshore between Barra & Coll. We also chose sites for both sheltered and exposure to sea conditions  along with some that are known to accumulate plastic flotsam. There were sites near wildlife like seal & bird colonies and where whales and dolphins were feeding.

Although the results are not currently available as it’s all still being worked on, we’ll update once the work has been completed.

Thanks to Prof Gwinnett & Dr Wilkinson from Staffs University for their fabulous work.