Development of a Thermo Degradation Method to Assess Levels and Distribution of Microplastics in Marine Sediments and Its Application in Two Case Studies: The Northern Adriatic Sea (Italy) and Boknafjord (Norway)
Plastic waste is of increasing concern in the aquatic environment. A large portion of this plastic waste is
produced onshore and reaches the marine environment, which is considered the main sink of plastic debris.
Floating plastic particles accumulate in pelagic habitats. However, due to biofilm formation they
eventually sink and accumulate on the seafloor together with non-buoyant by design plastic particles,
posing a risk to benthic communities.
2020 -
Contribution in volume
Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Microplastic Pollution in the Mediterranean Sea, 2020
The research activities of the Institute are carried out in the context of research, development and innovation projects, both national and international, based on regional funding programs (POR FEAMPA - Regional Operational Program of the European Maritime Affairs Fisheries Fund and Aquaculture and POR FESR - Regional Operational Program of the European Regional Development Fund) or ministerial (PRIN - Projects of relevant national interest, PNRA - National Research Program in Antarctica, PO FEAMPA - National Operational Program European Maritime Affairs Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund) , programs for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg), direct funding programs of the European Commission (Horizon2020 and Horizon Europe, Life, JPI - Joint Programming Initiatives, ERA-NET Cofund) and thematic collaboration initiatives managed by international organizations such as, for example , the FAO - GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean). The Institute also develops funded projects in the context of collaborations with private companies in the sectors of the blue economy as well as technology transfer and research results. Research projects, mainly of a collaborative nature, are developed through a wide network of partners that include major Italian and foreign research institutions and universities.
