SPlasH & Co

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The project SPlasH! analysed for the first time the presence/origin/dynamics of microplastics in the ports of Genoa, Olbia and Toulon by analysing different matrices (water, sediment, fish) and conducting numerical simulations; it carried out awareness campaigns by means of a ‘serious game’ involving 2500 students at 14 schools in Liguria (63 classes) and 7 schools in Sardinia (32 classes) and public events in the regions involved. SPlasH & Co plans to continue with these activities considering the current state of the Maritime area (and the whole world) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For monitoring, the sampling will capitalize on practices and prototypes created by SPlasH!. Having collected samples before the pandemic for SPlasH!, it will be possible to collect samples during and/or after the pandemic: the additional data collected will provide elements to improve understanding of the diffusion and behaviour of microplastics in the port environment by exploiting mathematical models, and the impact of the pandemic on the marine environment in terms of the lockdowns and the huge increase in the use of disposable items. The project will focus on two ports (Genoa and Toulon): this will extend the knowledge acquired thus far and improve capitalization of the data and means available. From the point of view of communication, the project will allow the results already obtained by SPlasH! to be disseminated on a larger scale and methodologies and tools to be developed that are suitable for digital dissemination in a COVID-impacted society, along with the full dissemination of the actions and results of the new project. SplasH & Co will provide information and improve awareness on the issue of plastic/microplastic pollution during COVID-19 among the entire population of the areas concerned and beyond, thanks to multimedia tools, public initiatives - including online - and the development of physical dissemination and communication methods compliant with the pandemic safety recommendations.

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