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WHAT IS AUSMAP?

AUSMAP is the bridge between a massive problem and the solutions.

It is designed to document and analyse microplastic pollution in Australian aquatic environments. The Total Environment Centre (TEC) and Macquarie University are the project leaders, working with a consortium of research, environment, education, government and sustainable business organisations.

Vision

It’s hard to solve a problem you can’t see.

Until recently microplastic pollution presented scientists with a crisis that was

NEAR invisible to the naked eye. Now we have AUSMAP.

 

By translating data into vivid maps of plastic pollution hotspots all over Australia, the Australian Microplastic Assessment Project makes it easy for everyone to see the scale and nature of this growing problem.

 

We need to know how much is already out there, before we figure out what to do with it.

And we need large numbers of Australians to engage with behaviour change so we can stop

any more plastic disintegrating into our waterways.

 

That’s why AUSMAP is a collaborative citizen science project.

Together we can all do something to clean up our rivers and oceans. 

Mission

  • Develop a standard method to assess and record microplastic pollution on Australian shorelines

  • Train leaders in microplastic pollution survey and data recording methods

  • Engage citizens in monitoring Australian shorelines with standard methods and uploading data

  • Develop educational programs on microplastics

  • Research the quantities, types and chemical components of microplastics

  • Report on microplastic pollution levels to Australian communities

Vision
About TEC

About the project leaders

TOTAL ENVIRONMENT CENTRE

TEC is an independent not-for-profit organisation with over 45 years in environmental advocacy. We are dedicated to eliminating plastic pollution and holding polluters to account. TEC is providing Project Management for the key partners and supporting the development of educational materials by expert bodies through community consultation and participation.

MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY

AUSMAP's scientific program is headed by Dr Scott Wilson. One of the leading marine debris and litter researchers in Australia, he is also the Director of Macquarie University's Litter Lab, a research group in the Department of Environmental Sciences.  Dr Wilson has over 20 years experience in researching impacts of contaminants and pollutants in aquatic and terrestrial environments.  He has authored 60 publications including peer reviewed journals, reports and book chapters, and has presented at over 50 conferences, workshops, seminars and public gatherings both nationally and internationally.

About MQ
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