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Micro-Plastic Mapping Project 2014

You thought Sharks were dangerous? You haven't heard of micro-plastics.

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Micro-Plastic Mapping Project 2014

Micro-Plastic Mapping Project 2014

Micro-Plastic Mapping Project 2014

Micro-Plastic Mapping Project 2014

Micro-Plastic Mapping Project 2014

You thought Sharks were dangerous? You haven't heard of micro-plastics.

You thought Sharks were dangerous? You haven't heard of micro-plastics.

You thought Sharks were dangerous? You haven't heard of micro-plastics.

You thought Sharks were dangerous? You haven't heard of micro-plastics.

Seán Lynch
Seán Lynch
Seán Lynch
Seán Lynch
1 Campaign |
Cork, Ireland
$267 USD $267 USD 7 backers
6% of $4,114 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
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Micro-plastics are the oceans deadliest predator. These tiny pieces of plastic are in every ocean on the planet. Most marine animals confuse it with plankton, the base of our food chain, poisoning EVERYTHING including us.


Source: http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/files/2013/04/MicroplasticsPenny-as-Smart-Object-1.jpeg


HELP MICRO PLASTIC STUDIES

These 5 Gyers are said to be SWAMPED with micro-plastics.



I need money to buy these nets


Using GIS (map making software) and Remote Sensing (satellite imagery) and modified plankton nets, I plan to count and map micro-plastic contents.

- Email: seanlynch@umail.ucc.ie

- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=281319345&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile
If you would like to see some of my work experience and interests, you can check me up on LinkedIn.

Micro-plastic is part of the wider marine litter problem.


The mighty Albatross. One of many species that confuse plastic for food, slowing them down and starving them to death. Source: Google Images

Just as this bird confuses plastic with food, smaller animals consume micro-plastic even with the smallest of organisms.


Did you know even your toothpaste and facewash contain micro plastics?


Left finger: Micro-Plastic that is put in face-wash and toothpaste:Right finger: Sand


Comparing Micro-beads in facial cleaner to Sand-Grains. Animals like this isopod eat sand-sized foods. Larger animals eat isopods and micro-plastic travels up the food chain. Source: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WqeebKHnx54/S7kLDglnF7I/AAAAAAAAAFs/CLHbH2sAnGw/s1600/photo+detail+of+microplastic.jpg

http://5gyres.org/wp-content/themes/5gyres_theme/images/Campaigns/MicroBead/Slide32.jpg

All of these products contain micro-plastic


If you're not already familiar with micro-plastic, please watch these videos:

and read one of many papers about the products you use that you probably didn't know pollute the ocean DAILY:
http://5gyres.org/media/5_Gyres_Position_Paper_on_Microplastics.pdf


I will need:


1. At least ONE Micro-Plastic and Plankton Filter Feeder
Nets are €1000 each + additional + spare parts = €2,000
Two would mean mean I can train someone to bring it to another part of the world.


This is a 'Manta-Net' used by NOAA which is a modification of a Neuston-Net. Source: http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1006/background/summary/media/manta_net_600.jpg adapted and sold by http://www.sea-gear.net/neuston-nets.html


Your money will be pooled to support environmentally-supportive industries.
I will train divers to use these tools who will hopefully buy more!


2. I need to use an underwater video recording camera (can be rented)


6 weeks rent: about €200
Buy new and share with other scientists: €500+


3. In addition to a recording device, I will also need mapping equipment. These will include various types of ropes, measuring lines and other survey equipment to the value of about €200 - €300 or more

4. Open-Source Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle.
see www.openrov.com
ONLY €650!!!
With enough funding, I would be able to purchase an open-source underwater ROV. I have ideas to take it into some of Ireland's lakes. If I get the money for this, I will donate the robot to UCC.

5. Satellite Data.
If I get enough funding, my options will open up beyond my wildest dreams!
Did you know that we all have free access to Landsat data? Landsat is an American Satellite that has been continuously recording environmental data from the 1970s that is entirely free to download at landsat.usgs.gov


The Impact



    

                                LESS OF THIS


Supporting this project is a way to pool resources to strengthen environmentally active industries such as www.sea-gear.net and other supportive businesses in Thailand such as Big Blue and others along the way.

Supporting me is also a way to strengthen my ability to articulate my concerns about these environmental threats with modern spatial, marine and satellite resources.

You are supporting independent science and education. I want to educate people with my research and educate myself about how to recontribute to these communities. I want to teach people modern skills with open-source technologies.

A big thank you to Big Blue Diving who have been very keen on this project from the beginning. This project would absolutely not have been possible without them and they have put many resources in place that has allowed this project to come into fruition. Big Blue have done wonders over the years to educate 10,000s of people about the values of coral reefs and their team have played a significant role in inspiring this project. http://www.bigbluediving.com/



Other Ways You Can Help


If you can't afford to fund this campaign,


You can still be a massive asset to this campaign


Help increase awareness of this project.

Please share it widely across all forms of social media.

Email it to everyone in your contact list.

Print it out and stick it on your college / work noticeboard.

Start a fundraiser at work.

Think about how much plastic you can see right now.

Imagine what's in the ocean.

How can you decrease your plastic consumption today?

What about tomorrow?

Think about what businesses you support the next time you're doing some shopping.

Google Micro Plastic.

Look around and see who is making an effort in the world. How can you support?

Educate yourself about how you can lower your plastic consumption.


Additional Info

http://5gyres.org/

http://5gyres.org/how_to_get_involved/campaigns/

http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/Gen_Plastic-hi_9-20-11_1.pdf


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