From coast to community: assessing marine plastic pollution impacts on ecosystems and human health in Iceland, Greenland and Svalbard through a One Health and technology-enhanced community monitoring approaches

Marine plastic pollution poses significant risks to ecosystems and human health, particularly in vulnerable Arctic regions. Therefore, assessing the extent and impacts of plastic contamination in these regions through a One Health framework is essential for developing strategies to build resilience in Arctic populations and ecosystems. The Horizon Europe ICEBERG Project addresses these challenges at the ocean-coast-land continuum, working in partnership with Indigenous peoples and local communities in south Greenland, northwest Iceland, and in Svalbard. ICEBERG integrates technology-enhanced community monitoring, such as drones and time-lapse cameras, with manual beach clean-ups for marine litter, citizen science and interactive data-sharing platforms. Researchers, local communities and civil society map pollution hotspots, trace sources, and assess ecological and health impacts of macro, micro-, nanoplastics. This community-driven data collection, supported by both low-tech and advanced technologies, offers a replicable model for tracking marine plastic pollution, studying its impacts and informing local policies to mitigate its effects. ICEBERG's multidisciplinary, multi-stakeholder approach offers valuable insights into the impacts of plastic pollution in Arctic socio-ecological systems and emphasizes the need for sustainable, inclusive, and data-driven environmental management in polar regions.