OBJECTIVES

• French

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A sample of microplastics collected at sea surface of the Mediterranean in July 2010.

The Expedition Med 2010-2013 is a scientific campaign studying the plastic pollution in the Mediterranean sea. It involves an international team of researchers from several European university laboratories.

Some actions for raising public awareness also involve environmental organizations with an interest in the Mediterranean basin.

Our missions are :

1) A specific study of the abundance of microplastic fragments and danger posed by them as they are drifting and accumulating in the Mediterranean sea.

2) Raising awareness regarding the harmful effects of plastic at sea and the need to reduce rubbish dumping.

3) Collecting data about marine biodiversity throughout the Mediterranean basin.

Begun during summer 2010, this new French and European research programme has already highlighted the effective presence in the Mediterranean sea of this particularly worrying phenomenon : a plastic pollution almost invisible at sea and capable of entering our food chain.

Microscopic fragmented plastic can be ingested by marine life : it’s time to ACT ! Our campaign results will allow us to alert politicians, industrials, and other associations to the harmful risks that threat an already damaged and endangered sea.