COMMUNITY SCIENCE PILOT PROJECT
COLLABORATION
In partnership with Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ocean Diagnostics Inc. (ODI) led a community science pilot study to test innovative ODI technologies that generate data on microplastic pollution to guide solutions.
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THE PILOT STUDY
Over six months, 51 volunteer community scientists used scientific protocols and ODI-developed AI-based microplastics imaging and data platform technologies to collect and record 2,426 microplastic particles (0.5-5 mm) on 10 different sandy shorelines on Vancouver Island.
OUTCOMES
The study resulted in the most extensive microplastic pollution dataset on British Columbia shorelines.
81% of plastic particles found on beaches in the Greater Victoria Region were foam, primarily polystyrene.
The greatest number of microplastics were found at beaches surrounded by marinas, relative to those that were not.
COMMUNITY SCIENCE TOOLKIT
The collaboration resulted in a Community Science Toolkit which offers:
Science-based educational resources on microplastic pollution and STEM
Microplastic field sampling procedures
New microplastic imaging technology
Open-access data portal for data sharing and visualization
Advocacy tools
The Toolkit can be used by communities and schools around the world to collect microplastic pollution data, which can be used to inform local solutions while contributing to global microplastic data sets.
START A PROJECT
Interested in starting or supporting a community science project in your school or community?
