Strategic initiative to improve research performance and strengthen cooperation in microplastic pollution field (ImproveMicro) - A new projext funded by an EEA and Norway Grant within the frame of the Baltic Research Programme
The aim of the project is to start a strategic initiative among Iceland, Latvia, Estonia and Finland in order to improve research performance and strengthen collaboration in an emerging field – microplastic pollution. The main outcome of the project will be the involvement of participating countries researchers in order to create a high quality, scientifically sound and competitive project application for future fund acquisition to study microplastic pollution.
The project consortium consists of following partners and expert:
- Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology (LIAE) from Latvia – a research institute dedicated to basic and applied research of ecology and environmental problems in the Baltic Sea and freshwater ecosystems;
- Department of Marine Systems is an education, research and development unit at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) from Estonia. Research topics include marine physics, ecology, pollution control, coastal planning, remote sensing, mathematical modelling and open sea monitoring;
- Department of Geography and Geology is a versatile unit of University of Turku (UTU) from Finland that studies the Earth and its dynamic natural and anthropogenic phenomena, conducting research on several continents. It works in two mutually supportive disciplines – geography and geology, and uses modern research methodologies and state-of-the-art equipment both in the field and the laboratory.
- The University of Iceland (UI) from Iceland is largest, most prestigious and leading university in Iceland, especially in the field of marine and freshwater research in Earth and environmental science faculties. UI has a strong reputation in the international scientific community and is well-known for its positive societal impact;
- Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (MFRI) from Iceland is leading marine and freshwater research in Icelandic territories and the Arctic, prioritizing research and monitoring on marine and freshwater ecosystems, sustainable exploitation of main stocks, ecosystem approach to fisheries management, research on fishing technology and seafloor and habitat mapping. MFRI is highly regarded in the scientific community and active at an international level with a strong infrastructure.
Researchers from Baltic and Northern countries (Inta Dimante-Deimantovica, Marta Barone and Sanda Svipsta from the Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Natalja Buhhalko from the Tallinn University of Technology in Estonia and Saija Saarni from University of Turku in Finland) met Steffen Mischke and Mathis Blache from University of Iceland in September to discuss joint research on the microplastic pollution of lakes and also the sea around Iceland. Following a discussion of potential research questions, projects and sampling strategies, a field trip was organized to exchange experience in microplastics sampling. Surface waters of lake Meðalfellsvatn were sampled using manta trawl nets. The photo below shows the use of such manta trawl net (photo: Mathis Blache).
