Plastics in the Arctic wilderness: a study of micro- and mesoplastics distribution in the Arctic freshwaters (IcyPlastic)

Plastics in the Arctic wilderness: a study of micro- and mesoplastics distribution in the Arctic freshwaters (IcyPlastic)

The project activity is supported by the INTERACT platform, which brings together research stations in the Arctic. The aim is to increase the capacity to identify, understand, anticipate and respond to different environmental changes in the Arctic. The INTERACT-supported project involves the collection of river, stream microplastic pollution samples from Arctic stations. 10 stations have been selected, one of which will be visited on site (Iceland) and the others will be sent nets, equipment and instructions for sampling (stations in Finland, Greenland, Alaska, Faroe Islands, Sweden and elsewhere). The samples will be sent to the Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology, where they will be processed and analyzed by the Institute’s assistants and researchers. This will provide insight into microplastic contamination of freshwater in the Arctic wilderness and allow analysis of the pathways by which contamination reaches the Arctic.

LHEI is the lead partner of the project and will ensure the implementation of the project, collection, processing and analysis of samples from Arctic rivers and streams.