07. Apr 2021

The project has established a joint microplastic lab at the Fram Centre in Tromsø in 2019. This initiative brings together the most prominent microplastic research group in the Arctic by combining the strengths of ApN, NIVA, NILU and NPI. This will create regional capacity to do microplastic analysis with state-of-the-art equipment and methods. Local capacity will strengthen research and reduce the risk of secondary sample contamination during transport to other analytical labs. The Fram Centre microplastic lab will also serve existing Arctic infrastructure including microplastic samplers integrated in so called ‘ferry box’ systems on commercial ferries or research vessels.
The project group has supported NPI to invite, review, assess and select a tender for a a spectrometer to detect, identify and count microplastic particles and fibres. The instrument is to be located at the Fram Centre in Tromsø, Norway. The instrument will define the polymer ID of any particles from any environmental media, including an automated detection and identification system to reduce analytical time and increase reproducibility. Such technique is essential to perform accurate and reliable research in the framework of plastic pollution.  All project participants will receive training on the instrument in 2021 prior to an additional quality assurance and quality control workshop, involving world experts in the field of microplastic analysis. In addition, a certified reference material, one of the first of its kind, will be made available by NIVA for continued quality control. ApN, NILU, NP and NIVA will work together and develop new projects.