University of Portsmouth to Lead Groundbreaking Microplastics Research Project in Antarctica and Arctic
The Clean Planet Foundation has selected the University of Portsmouth’s Revolution Plastics Institute as the scientific lead for its flagship three-year project, Clean Planet Peninsula. This initiative aims to tackle the issue of microplastics in the Polar regions and represents a major advancement in the global study of environmental pollution.
The University of Portsmouth, known for its pioneering research in microplastics, brings a wealth of expertise to the project. Under the leadership of Professor Fay Couceiro, Head of the Microplastics Research Group, the university will not only guide the scientific direction but also enhance the training components of the project. Professor Couceiro’s team is renowned for their comprehensive approach to studying microplastics, investigating everything from their origins and distribution to their profound impacts on the environment and human health.
The Clean Planet Peninsula project, the flagship initiative of the Clean Planet Foundation, aims to investigate and compare the presence and impact of microplastics in the pristine environments of the Arctic and Antarctica while offering enhanced training courses to early research scientists. This pioneering research will analyze samples collected from water, ice, and air, creating the first direct comparison study of these critical regions.
The project will kick off in August with a field skills training course in Dartmoor, UK, building on the success of its 2023 pilot year, which was featured on the BBC. The first year of the course will host 25 participants and be led by British polar explorer Antony Jinman in collaboration with the UK Polar Network (UKPN). It will also include scientific lectures from experts at the University of Portsmouth, enriching both the practical and theoretical learning experiences.
The Clean Planet Foundation will fully sponsor the project throughout its three-year duration, covering all costs associated with research, field expeditions, and data analysis. The ultimate goal is to publish the results, contributing vital new insights to the global discourse on environmental conservation and microplastic pollution. The application deadline for participants to join the course is May 31st.
“We are immensely proud to collaborate with the University of Portsmouth for this project, leveraging their world-leading expertise in microplastics. This collaboration will enable the project to further address the global environmental challenges through cutting-edge science and education.” – Dr. Katerina Garyfalou, Project Director of the Peninsula project from the Clean Planet Foundation.
Not only does the project aim to advance our understanding of microplastics, but it also aims to educate and empower a new generation of environmental scientists. The involvement of the University of Portsmouth ensures that the research conducted is of the highest scientific rigor and that the findings will significantly impact global environmental policies and practices.
“Collaborating with the Clean Planet Foundation offers an extraordinary opportunity to expand our research into the impact of microplastics on some of the most remote and pristine environments on Earth. By comparing data from the Arctic and Antarctica, we aim to uncover truths about microplastics that could drive significant changes in environmental policy worldwide.” – Prof. Fay Couceiro, Professor of Environmental Pollution at the University of Portsmouth, Director of Postgraduate Research, Head of the Microplastics Research Group, and Senior Editor of Cambridge Prisms: Plastics.
This groundbreaking project is distributed by Pressat, bringing the latest news and information to a global audience. For more information on the Clean Planet Peninsula project and how to apply, visit https://pressat.co.uk/.
