Line of action:

Terrestrial ecosystems

Status:

Finalizado

Execution date:

2020

End date:

2023

Total budget:

112.533,80 €

Amount of aid from the Biodiversity Foundation:

72.415 €

Microplastic pollution is a serious environmental problem that poses a threat to biodiversity. Recently, there has been a growing number of studies and awareness campaigns on the extent and impact of these particles in natural systems, especially in marine environments. However, in coastal wetlands, and in the Ebro Delta in particular, there are no studies on their availability to organisms and awareness campaigns are focused on macroplastics, neglecting the impact that these microparticles can have on these ecosystems of great environmental value.

Determining the availability and typology of microplastics in these environments is the first essential step in assessing their impact on biodiversity. Providing amachine learningtool for their classification can help in the management of this problem in coastal wetlands.

The overall objective of the project has been to study the availability of plastic particles (micro and macro) in key environments for the biodiversity of the Ebro Delta.

In addition, it has had these specific goals:

• Obtain information related to micro and macroplastics in different environments.
• Obtain related information on methodology for sampling and separation of plastic particles.
• Determine the spatial distribution of different types of microplastics in key environments of the Natura 2000 Network.
• Methodology fine-tuning and validation of the model based on support vector machines.
• Dissemination of the project and raising public awareness of the impact of microplastics on biodiversity.

• Review of papers published in the last five years.
• Selection of the most appropriate methodology for the separation of plastic particles and development of a protocol.
• Selection of key habitats and sampling plan.
• Water and sediment sampling.
• Identification and separation of particles of synthetic origin from those of vegetable origin.
• Particle counting by shape and size.
• Training, calibration and validation of the model.
• Inform society of the start of the project and its objectives through press releases and the use of social networks.
• Informative talks aimed at different sectors (economic and social) and audiences (adults, schoolchildren).
• Elaboration of material to disseminate the project and raise awareness of the problem.
• Continuous dissemination of the actions carried out during the execution of the project through the use of social networks and own information technologies and those of entities in the field of conservation.
• Search for synergies with the main local (Delta Natural Park, environmental policy entities and environmental associations) and national (technical managers of coastal wetlands protected as natural parks or wetlands within the Ramsar List) stakeholders with possible related current projects to optimize the impact of the results and maximize dissemination and social involvement.
• Dissemination of the results obtained through press releases, through social networks and publication of technical and informative articles in scientific and environmental magazines.
• Organization of a transfer day to disseminate the results of the project with the participation of those responsible for related projects in Spain.

The Biodisplas project has allowed the first estimation of the concentration of microplastics in the sediment of a rice field and five lagoons located in the southern hemidelta of the Ebro Delta, known as Los Calaixos de Buda, La Tancada, L’Alfacada, La Platjola and La Punta de la Banya.

The results reveal an average concentration of about 300 microplastics per kilogram of sediment, comprising particles ranging in size from 0.08 to 4.96 millimeters. Among the types of plastic found, filaments stand out as the most abundant, while black, white and transparent colors were found to be the most common.

In addition, thanks to the use of an artificial intelligence system, the basis has been laid for the development of an automated image analysis system that will allow these microparticles to be counted efficiently, thus providing a valuable tool for future research in this area.