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Putting microplastics on the map with ausmap

AUSMAP along with the help of over 1000 citizen scientists has collected over 900 microplastic samples Australia-wide.

Microplastic pollution... 

Plastic pollution is now recognised as one of the world’s most pressing environmental issues.  However, with increasing plastic production, and approximately 12 million metric ton leaking into our oceans annually, plastic pollution is a rapidly growing problem. 

 

Over the past decade, there has been significant attention given to macrolitter.  However, microplastics (plastics < 5mm) are now considered a greater concern, with scientists calling for them to be listed as a hazardous substance.  

 

Of the numerous recognised impacts to wildlife from marine litter, over 70% can be attributed to microplastics, and with their ability to move through the food chain, effects are compounded.  

microplastic mission

AUSMAP has collected over 800 samples from over 350 locations around Australia. Click on each state to find out more about microplastic hotspots nationally. 

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NEW SOUTH WALES

There have been over 350 AUSMAP surveys taken across NSW, from Bermagui in the south to Byron Bay in the far north. High and Very High results are generally found at estuarine, harbourside and urban coastal sites, while Very Low results (0-10 mp/m2) are more common in regional areas.

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Click to read about our longest running dataset

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WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WA has recorded Very Low to Very High concentrations of microplastics from over 90 surveys, collected from Broome in the North to Sandy Hook Island in the South.

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Victoria

Sampling has been undertaken at fifteen sites across Victoria ranging from its busiest Port to the small unique sands of Mud Island, Port Phillip Bay. In 2022, sampling focused at Port Melbourne Beach near the Melbourne CBD to monitor plastic concentrations in an urban context.

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SOUTH AUSTRALIA

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NORTHERN TERITORY

AUSMAP has conducted microplastic surveys around the Top End of the Northern Territory, from the Cox Peninsula to East Arnhem Land. 

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Christmas & Cocos keeling islands

Sampling has been undertaken at fifteen sites across Victoria ranging from its busiest Port to the small unique sands of Mud Island, Port Phillip Bay. In 2022, sampling focused at Port Melbourne Beach near the Melbourne CBD to monitor plastic concentrations in an urban context.

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QUEENSLAND

Over 200 samples have been taken in Queensland from as far north as Thursday Island, to Victoria Point in the South. Many of these samples have been processed by AUSMAP as part of the Federal Government funded ReefClean Project in partnership with the Tangaroa Blue Foundation.

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TASMANIA

The 2024 data from 27 sampling sites across Tasmania paints an encouraging picture, with overall microplastic pollution remaining remarkably low.

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Taiwan

Sampling has been undertaken at fifteen sites across Victoria ranging from its busiest Port to the small unique sands of Mud Island, Port Phillip Bay. In 2022, sampling focused at Port Melbourne Beach near the Melbourne CBD to monitor plastic concentrations in an urban context.

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