AUSMAP is in the process of developing an online interactive microplastic hot spot map. The map will allow you to search by location to see the results of microplastic surveys from around Australia. Users will be able to see microplastic hotspots, including the quantity, type, size & colour of microplastics found.
So keep up your field sampling! The more data we have, the more informative the map becomes, & remember finding no microplastics is still a great result that we need to know about! The purpose of the map is to track how microplastic loads change in different locations over time, & finding no microplastics is the best result!
Of the 200 shorelines that we’ve sampled so far around Australia, here are the top 5 microplastic hotspots (microplastics/m2) for around Australia!
Tiranna Beach, West Lakes, SA: 9,500
Black Dragon Beach, West Lakes, SA: 7,795
Kyeemagh Beach, Botany Bay, NSW: 1,013
Athol Beach, Sydney Harbour, NSW: 994
Berry Island, Sydney Harbour, NSW: 784
We’ve also found many places that are considered ‘cold spots’ where there have been NO microplastics found. Examples of these include (these have no ranking by the way!):
Collingwood Beach, Jervis Bay, NSW
Hare Bay, Jervis Bay, NSW
Tennyson Beach, Adelaide, SA
Michaelmas Cay, GBR, Qld
Kurrimine Beach, Nth Qld
Woorim Beach, Bribie Island, Qld
Queens Beach, Redcliffe, Qld