Microplastics and associated pollutants are threatening the ecosystem of the Baltic Sea. The EU project MICROPOLL wants to assess the multilevel impacts of these pollutants. Among other things, this project has highlighted the uptake of microplastics in the food chain. It suggests it is necessary better understand the mechanisms of aggregation and behavior of microplastics in the water.
The MOTION project aims to assess the interaction between living organisms and microplastics to predict the uptake by microorganisms. For this purpose, the project will be working with Russians partners who are experts in modeling behaviors of microplastics. The project will contribute to the EU project through the evaluation of data. The interpretation of data will be facilitated, and the predictive capacity will be improved at large.
Activities include study visits to the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology in Kaliningrad and a workshop on recommendations for microplastic monitoring and exposure.