Planktastic investigates how microplastics affect plankton — the microscopic organisms that underpin all life in the ocean — using a novel combination of field ecology and autonomous detection technology.
PLANKTASTIC is an interdisciplinary research project investigating how microplastics affect plankton — the foundation of marine food webs. By integrating field monitoring with an innovative in-situ detection system and advanced ecological analysis, PLANKTASTIC will generate new evidence on the biological and ecological impacts of microplastics on plankton communities and marine ecosystem functioning.
Understanding and quantifying the ecological impacts of microplastics on plankton communities and marine ecosystem functioning across estuarine and coastal environments.
Discover our objectives →Six interconnected work packages linking field ecological monitoring, an autonomous in-situ detection system, and ecological and biological impact assessments.
Explore our methods →Field sampling campaigns, milestone achievements, stakeholder workshops and dissemination events — follow Planktastic's progress from launch to final framework.
Follow our progress →Collaborate, ask questions, or subscribe to our mailing list for updates on microplastics research, new datasets and project milestones.
Contact the team →Planktastic officially launched with a kick-off meeting bringing together the CIIMAR and INESC TEC teams.
Read more →Seasonal sampling begins at the Douro and Lima estuaries, collecting the first plankton and microplastics samples.
Read more →Environmental managers, fisheries experts and NGOs gathered for Planktastic's first stakeholder workshop.
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