Marine Students Tackle Microplastics

The St Mark's Year 12 Marine and Maritime students have been working hard to tackle the ever increasing pollution problem of microplastics in our oceans.

Microplastics are fragments of any type of plastic, less than 5mm in length. These particles cause pollution by entering natural ecosystems from a variety of sources including cosmetics, clothing and industrial processes.

This week students worked with the AUSMAP project to survey Whitfords Beach and assess for microplastics. AUSMAP is a nationwide Citizen Science project where students collect longitudinal data to contribute towards sustainability initiatives. Students will continue to collect data and assist this platform for years to come, helping to monitor the health of marine ecosystems that are right on our doorstep.

To learn more about the AUSMAP project, visit their website https://www.ausmap.org/.