Improving monitoring of microplastic pollution in rivers and coastal sand

Microplastic pollution in marine and associated habitats is a hot topic today, but there is still a lack of unified guidelines for monitoring. This project will improve methods for monitoring microplastic pollution in rivers (as a vector of pollution in the sea) and coastal sand, taking into account the experience of other countries and first efforts in Latvia. The results will allow future trends in pollution to be assessed and the introduction of this type of regular monitoring to be considered.

In this project, LIAE is compiling existing information on routine monitoring of microplastic pollution in rivers and beach sands in other European countries; improving existing protocols for sample collection and material processing, taking into account the experience of other countries and the state-of-the-art scientific research; monitor microplastic pollution in five major rivers and 10 beaches in Latvia; process and analyze the collected material; assess possible factors influencing the amount, composition and distribution of microplastic pollution; formulate routine monitoring guidelines, sampling and material processing protocols.