"Throughout the entire cruise, the working environment between all the researchers and the crew was excellent. In addition to conducting my own work of collecting and processing samples for microplastic analysis, I also learned other oceanographic techniques, such as those used to study turbulence and the mixing of waters with different properties."
Researcher Isabel Marín Beltrán, from CCMAR, recently participated in the SEA-EU scientific cruise "Baltarctic", which aimed to study the concentration of microplastics from the Baltic Sea to northern Norway. Isabel embarked on the research vessel on 6 June 2023, in Kiel, Germany, and sailed for seven days to Bergen, Norway, following the Baltic current.
The Baltic Sea is an area with a significant influx of polluted freshwater, originating from coastal cities with heavy industrial activity. The study aims to understand how microplastic concentrations vary between the Baltic Sea and the Norwegian Sea, based on the hypothesis that the levels of these pollutants would decrease as the ship progressed northwards.
“It was a highly enriching experience, both professionally and personally. As well as conducting my work collecting and processing samples for microplastic analysis, I also learned other oceanographic techniques, such as those used to study turbulence and the mixing of waters with different properties,” explains the researcher.
Now that she has returned, Isabel is currently analysing the preliminary results gathered during the cruise to confirm her hypothesis. It is expected that the high levels of microplastic pollution in the Baltic Sea will dilute and mix with the cleaner waters of the North Sea and the Norwegian Sea.
“The influx of more polluted waters into areas where such pollutants are not usually found can disrupt the natural balance of the region and affect the types of microorganisms present. In the medium and long term, these changes could impact the entire food chain, with consequences for fishing and other human activities,” Isabel elaborates.
This research is crucial for understanding the human impact on the marine environment, providing valuable data for the development of environmental policies and mitigation strategies.
In addition to being valuable opportunities for scientists, these collaborative expeditions to areas far from coastal waters allow the sharing of knowledge among international researchers. For Isabel, the experience was rewarding both professionally and personally.
During the SEA-EU “Baltarctic” cruise, the researcher worked alongside scientists from the University of Gdańsk, the University of Cádiz, and Università degli Studi di Napoli "Parthenope". This collaboration was made possible by the SEA-EU programme, which promotes partnerships between European universities.
