GAEC hosts African scientists to harmonise microplastics monitoring protocols

Samuel Boakye Dampare and IAEA technical experts in a group photograph with participantsScientists from 21 African countries are meeting in Accra to harmonise protocols for monitoring microplastics in coastal areas using nuclear and isotopic techniques, as part of efforts to strengthen Africa’s response to marine plastic pollution.

The initiative is expected to help African countries adopt common scientific standards for monitoring microplastics measuring between 20 and 300 micrometres, generate comparable data and strengthen efforts to combat marine plastic pollution and protect coastal ecosystems through evidence-based environmental policies.“The harmonised approach, being implemented under the IAEA’s NUTEC Plastics Initiative, would strengthen data quality, improve collaboration among participating countries and support evidence-based policies to tackle marine plastic pollution”, he explained.