Life Solved
Mapping Microplastics ft. Dr Fay Couceiro
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Episode notes
In this episode of Life Solved, Dr Fay Couceiro shares the latest on an exciting partnership between the University of Portsmouth and a 2,000 mile competitive rowing event!
In the Summer of 2022, GB Row participants set out to row the length of the UK coastline in a gruelling endurance event, but not only that, they were gathering data to help study and map the health of our oceans.
Braving waves, extremes of weather and turbulent conditions, the teams took samples along the way, with specially designed equipment to capture insights from sound waves to microplastics and environmental DNA.
Fay explains how this data is allowing us unrivalled insights into the extent of plastics pollution and biodiversity loss in these waters. But she also says it’s an opportunity for policymakers to take notice and take action on the global plastics crisis.
You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects
USEFUL LINKS
Dr Fay Couceiro
https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/fay-couceiro
Find out about GB Row @gbrowchallenge
https://www.gbrowchallenge.com
What is a microplastic?
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/microplastics
Fay’s research into microplastics in wastewater
How Revolution Plastics are leading a global movement to tackle plastics pollution @uopplastics
https://www.port.ac.uk/research/themes/sustainability-and-the-environment/revolution-plastics
Watch Videos from the GB Row series, including interviews about the science and technology here:
https://www.youtube.com/@gbrowchallenge9463
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