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Monitoring of microplastics in Danish marine waters using the Oslo-Kiel ferry as a ship-of-opportunity
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Researchers used the Oslo-Kiel ferry as a ship-of-opportunity to collect microplastic samples from Danish marine waters, testing the viability of ferry-based monitoring systems. They found that the FerryBox sampling system could effectively collect surface water microplastic samples during routine voyages. The study demonstrates that commercial ferry routes can serve as cost-effective platforms for long-term marine microplastic monitoring.
The EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive require that EU Member States establish appropriate strategies and sampling programmes for microplastic in the marine environment. We report the results of a two-tiered pilot study consisting of a mini review focusing on sampling of microplastic in marine surface water and a test sampling of microplastic particles in the Inner Danish Waters using the FerryBox system on board the Oslo-Kiel ferry.
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Frequent sampling of microplastic particles in surface waters in the open parts of the Kattegat and Great Belt, Denmark
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Researchers used a Ferrybox system aboard a passenger ferry to collect high-frequency microplastic samples from the Kattegat and Great Belt, Danish waters. The study contributed to EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive monitoring requirements, extending previous pilot data with more frequent and larger-volume sampling.
Enhancing microplastic monitoring with ships of opportunity to determine baselines: Methodological design matters
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Researchers used a low-cost water-sampling system on regular ferry routes to track microplastic pollution levels in the ocean over time. While this "citizen science meets shipping" approach worked well and gave results similar to more expensive methods, the study found that different labs' testing methods (like the size of filters used) can significantly change reported pollution numbers—meaning scientists need to standardize their techniques before we can reliably compare microplastic data across regions or track how contamination is changing over time. This matters because accurate, consistent monitoring is a necessary first step toward understanding how much microplastic pollution is in the water we (and marine life)
Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) and Hurtigruten partnership to bring light to the gaps in plastic marine litter knowledge.
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This study describes a partnership between the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) and Hurtigruten cruise ships to collect water samples for microplastic monitoring across remote ocean routes. Researchers found that opportunistic sampling via commercial vessels provides cost-effective coverage of otherwise inaccessible ocean regions.
Norwegian Ships of Opportunity Program for marine and atmospheric research
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This paper describes the Norwegian Ships of Opportunity Program (NorSOOP), which uses commercial vessels to collect marine and atmospheric observations relevant to coastal and ocean ecosystem research. The program provides real-time data on ocean conditions and can be used to measure microplastic concentrations in surface waters across Norwegian shipping routes. Ships of opportunity programs offer cost-effective ways to expand environmental monitoring coverage.
Ferry terminals as hotspots of microplastic contamination in the Aegean Sea: evidence from coastal waters and sediments
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Researchers sampled seawater and sediment near ferry terminals in the Gulf of Izmir, Turkey, over two years, finding nearly 3,000 microplastic particles, mostly fibers and fragments, with more found in sediment and in autumn. Pollution measurements showed high contamination and ecological risk at busy, urban terminal sites, suggesting ferry terminals are major sources of microplastic pollution.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.