OBJECTIVES

1. To compile the type of data available on plastic quantity and quality in the ocean;
2. to identify patterns and tendencies of plastic distribution in the ocean;
3. to gather data on the type of effects caused by plastic in marine organisms;
4. to identify which type of models would be more suitable to understand and predict the effects of plastic in marine organisms;
5. to identify which climatic stressors (temperature, salinity, ocean acidification, wind, anoxia, sea level rise, etc) are expected to interfere more with plastic breakage, decomposition and circulation;
6. to come up with potential mitigation measures.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

• 1 position paper
• 1 draft proposal to apply within a relevant European Call
• To establish a network of interest under the subject Models to Understand plastic impacts in the Ocean – MODUNDER network

EXPECTED IMPACTS

The outputs from this workshop will:

1. highlight and implement the need to compile and systematize in a general dataset the available and forthcoming empirical data on plastic pollution, discriminating the different types of plastic;
2. identify priority research questions within the topic;
3. infer short- and long-term effects of plastics in marine systems;
4. propose mitigation measures within a IEA- Integrated Environmental Assessment perspective, i.e., producing and communicating future-oriented, policy-relevant information on key interactions between marine plastic pollution, natural environment and human society.