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. 2024 Jun 3;14(1):12714.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-62176-y.

Creation of an international laboratory network towards global microplastics monitoring harmonisation

Adil Bakir  1 , Alexandra R McGoran  2 , Briony Silburn  2 , Josie Russell  2 , Holly Nel  2 , Amy L Lusher  3 , Ruth Amos  4 , Ronick S Shadrack  4 , Shareen J Arnold  5 , Cecy Castillo  5 , Joaquin F Urbina  5 , Eduardo Barrientos  5   6 , Henry Sanchez  7 , Keshnee Pillay  8 , Lucienne Human  9   10 , Tarryn Swartbooi  9 , Muhammad Reza Cordova  11 , Sofia Yuniar Sani  11 , T W A Wasantha Wijesinghe  12 , A A Deeptha Amarathunga  13 , Jagath Gunasekara  14 , Sudarshana Somasiri  15 , Kushani Mahatantila  15 , Sureka Liyanage  15 , Moritz Müller  16 , Yet Yin Hee  17 , Deo Florence Onda  18 , Khairiatul Mardiana Jansar  19 , Zana Shiraz  20 , Hana Amir  20 , Andrew G Mayes  21
Affiliations

Creation of an international laboratory network towards global microplastics monitoring harmonisation

Adil Bakir et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

Infrastructure is often a limiting factor in microplastics research impacting the production of scientific outputs and monitoring data. International projects are therefore required to promote collaboration and development of national and regional scientific hubs. The Commonwealth Litter Programme and the Ocean Country Partnership Programme were developed to support Global South countries to take actions on plastics entering the oceans. An international laboratory network was developed to provide the infrastructure and in country capacity to conduct the collection and processing of microplastics in environmental samples. The laboratory network was also extended to include a network developed by the University of East Anglia, UK. All the laboratories were provided with similar equipment for the collection, processing and analysis of microplastics in environmental samples. Harmonised protocols and training were also provided in country during laboratory setup to ensure comparability of quality-controlled outputs between laboratories. Such large networks are needed to produce comparable baseline and monitoring assessments.

Keywords: Global plastics treaty; International network; Microplastics; Nile red; Plastic pollution.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Five pillars covered by the Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP) (2018–2021).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Current microplastics laboratory network.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Flow charts for the sampling, extraction, isolation, analysis and reporting of microplastics for environmental samples (i.e. sediment, water and biota).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Flow charts for the sampling, extraction, isolation, analysis and reporting of microplastics for environmental samples (i.e. sediment, water and biota).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Current layout of the laboratories for the CLiP/OCPP laboratories as well as for the laboratories created via other Cefas projects.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Planned content of the laboratory network on-line platform.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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