atlantic canada microplastic research project (2017-2020)

Purpose
  • Quantify microplastics (<5 mm) in 3 near-shore rural communities of Atlantic Canada (see map).
  • Use data to better inform solutions around plastic pollution in the region.
Methods
  • Surface water samples.
  • Beach sediment samples.
  • All methods from CLEAR at Memorial University in St. John's, NL. 
The below reports contain preliminary results. Final reports will be available Winter 2020. 
Click photo below to access full project infographic
For more information, contact our Coastal & Marine Team Lead, Ariel Smith, at ariel@coastalaction.org.

polymer identification

Click each graphic below for a closer look at the types of polymers found at our project locations. For a detailed look at our Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results, view the 2018 Surface Water Results Summary report.
This project is funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada and is in partnership with
the Civic Laboratory for Environmental Action Research (CLEAR),
​ Clean Annapolis River Project (CARP) and ACAP Humber Arm.