Topic: Microplastics: What They Are, How to Find the Data, and How to Get Involved

Speakers:

– Jennifer Webster, Research Oceanographer; Coastal Indicators Product Lead, NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
– Jace Tunnell, Director, Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve, University of Texas Marine Science Institute

Date/Time: December 1, 9am Central / 10am Eastern

Please Register at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3691300655166424335

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Please note: this webinar will be recorded.

Abstract:

Microplastics are very small pieces of plastic (< 5mm) that come from many sources and can be found from the atmosphere to the land to the ocean floor. During this webinar, we will learn about NOAA’s new Marine Microplastics database and Map Portal Application, and about the Nurdle Patrol citizen science project, run by the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve. The Marine Microplastics Application provides public access to global data on microplastics in the ocean, and includes information from many different data sources. Nurdle Patrol is an initiative where you can help gather information about where nurdles, or small plastic pellets used as raw materials in manufacturing, are located in Gulf of America environments, remove them, and create awareness about nurdles.

About the Speakers:
Jennifer Webster is a research oceanographer with NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information based at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Her background is in coastal ecology and remote sensing. Currently she is working with coastal ecosystem indicator products like HABs, hypoxia, and most recently, marine microplastics.

Jace Tunnell is the director of the Mission-Aransas Reserve at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute. Jace is the founder of a citizen science project called Nurdle Patrol that tracks plastic pellet concentrations internationally to create awareness of plastics in the ocean and develop new policy based on the data. He currently serves as president of the National Estuarine Research Reserve Association that advocates for the 30 Reserves around the country. His conservation efforts include educating the public about plastic pollution, estuarine science, and protection of our natural resources.

For more information:
Marine Microplastics Portal: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/tracking-global-marine-microplastics
Nurdle Patrol: https://nurdlepatrol.org/

I am looking forward to learning more about the Marine Microplastics Portal and the Nurdle Patrol. I hope you can join in too!