Challenge 09:
Skills, knowledge, and technology for all
Ensure comprehensive capacity development and equitable access to data, information, knowledge and technology across all aspects of ocean science and for all stakeholders.
Bakir, Adil; McGoran, Alexandra R.; Silburn, Briony; Russell, Josie; Nel, Holly; Lusher, Amy L.; Amos, Ruth; Shadrack, Ronick S.; Arnold, Shareen J.; Castillo, Cecy; Urbina, Joaquin F.; Barrientos, Eduardo; Sanchez, Henry; Pillay, Keshnee; Human, Lucienne; Swartbooi, Tarryn; Cordova, Muhammad Reza; Sani, Sofia Yuniar; Wijesinghe, T. W. A. Wasantha; Amarathunga, A. A. Deeptha; Gunasekara, Jagath; Somasiri, Sudarshana; mahatantila, Kushani; Liyanage, Sureka; Müller, Moritz; Hee, Yet Yin; Onda, Deo Florence; Jansar, Khairiatul Mardiana; Shiraz, Zana; Amir, Hana; Mayes, Andrew G. (Nature Research, 2024-06-03)
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.
