| Summary: | An increase in the production of plastics, to match the high demand brought about by our daily use of this material has contributed to a pollution phenomenon in the marine environment caused by plastic debris. Plastics are persistent materials, which tend to accumulate in the marine environment and affect marine life, as they remain in the ecosystem for years. Plastic materials degrade to smaller macro and microplastic (MP) particles, and can be ingested together with additives or chemical products by living marine organisms and be transported along the food chain. In the southern North Sea and Channel area, the abundance and the impact of macro and micro plastic is not well known. In the MICRO project, partners will collect information for this cross-border area focussing on the water column, the seabed, the surface and the coastline, with partners analysing the problem and conducting a risk assessment on these areas with regards to the impact on selected marine species or on maritime activities (fisheries, aquaculture, tourism…). They will also analyse the way in which the microbial load could mitigate and reduce this microplastic problem. Via modeling of the area, the MICRO partners will assess the potential hotspots for any accumulation of microplastics in the cross-border area. For each country, a hotspot will be assessed and will be rigorously monitored. |
| Timeframe: | 01.07.2012 - 30.09.2014 |
| Total project budget: | € 3 015 124 |
| Total amount of ERDF requested: | € 1 482 046 |
| Grant rate: | 49 % |
| Status: | Closed |
| Web address: | No link available at the moment |
Programme voor grensoverschrijdende samenwerking
2007 - 2013 medegefinancierd foor EFRO
"Investeren in je toekomst"
