PROJECT BOOKLET FOR YOUNG PEOPLE - A joint initiative by: Plastic Pirates
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
PROJECT BOOKLET FOR YOUNG PEOPLE A joint initiative by:
Background info: Plastic Pirates – Go Europe! Plastic Pirates – Go Europe! is a joint citizen science identify microplastic in rivers and their estuaries and campaign by the German Federal Ministry of Education contribute to a better understanding of environmental and Research (BMBF) in collaboration with the Portu problems. The Plastic Pirates campaign was first de guese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Edu veloped in 2016 in Germany by the Kiel Science Factory cation and the Slovenian Ministry of Education, Science and partners with support from the BMBF for the Sci and Sport. The campaign is taking place in all three ence Year 2016*17 – Seas and Oceans and, since 2018, countries from 2020 to 2021 as part of the trio presi will be continued within the framework of the research dency of the EU Council. The goals of the campaign focus ‘Plastics in the Environment’. are to strengthen scientific collaboration in Europe, promote the level of dedication among citizen scien You can find information about the Plastic Pirates at tists and to raise awareness and consciousness for the plastic-pirates.eu/en . environment. The joint project of the three countries demonstrates how citizens in Europe can work to gether to achieve common goals. In the years 2020 and 2021, pupils, teachers and scientists will collaborate to
United for researching the rivers
of europe and against plastic waste
Hallo, zdravo, olá, hello!
A whale washed up on a beach with a stomach packed with
plastic litter and a beach full of plastic bags and cans – you
have all seen the terrible pictures. Most of this waste comes
from rivers. And many rivers flow through more than just one
country. What is thrown away in one city one day might appear
in another the next. Let us join our efforts to tackle this pro
blem together!
This is why we are launching Plastic Pirates – Go Europe!
In the coming 18 months, you, as citizen scientists, have the
chance to get to the root of this problem. We are calling on
pupils from Germany, Portugal and Slovenia to join this ini
tiative, as our three countries will hold the trio presidency of
the Council of the EU during this time. We want to send out a
clear message of our support for environmental protection,
citizen science and active cooperation in European education.
Anja Karliczek Manuel Heitor Simona Of course, we are also committed to ensuring that our fellow
European neighbours can join us in investigating this urgent
Kustec Lipicer challenge in the future.
As a Plastic Pirate, you will gather information on plastic
litter from our rivers. On this basis, scientists from our three
countries will analyse the data. By taking part in this campaign,
pupils can contribute towards important scientific research
Member of the German Portugal Slovenia while still at school. In the end, we will know more about the
Bundestag Minister for Science, Minister for Education, state of our rivers and the scale of plastic pollution. Thank you
Federal Minister of Technology and Higher Science and Sport for playing such a vital role and for your important contribution
Education and Research Education to the conservation of our planet.
PLASTIC PIRATES – GO EUROPE!
Usage rights The project booklet
All content of the project booklet
pertaining to the Plastic Pirates – Go Plastic Pirates – Go Europe!
Europe! project is protected by copy
right. This applies both to the printed
version of the project booklet and the This project booklet aims to give young This project booklet helps young people The project booklet is suitable for use in a
data made available for download
at plastic-pirates.eu/en. The project people aged between 10 and 16 hands-on find their feet during the excursion and group of between six and 30 young people,
booklet is provided free of charge and experience of the issues related to seas serves as a scientific guide to data whether a school class, a work group or a
may only be used in non-commercial and the ocean, particularly the problem of collection. club. Including preparation and follow-up
contexts, including the reproduction,
saving, printing and editing of the plastic waste in seas and flowing water The tone of the booklet is aimed at the work, the project takes about three days,
project booklet. ways. The key questions for the Plastic young people themselves. It has been or six to eight teaching hours, to complete –
Pirates are as follows: How bad is plastic designed in such a way that they can plus approx. two hours for sampling. As
Changes may only be made insofar
as they are unavoidable in terms of waste pollution in flowing waterways complete the various steps of the project different amounts of time can be allocated
achieving the purpose of use, such and seas in Europe? What kinds of independently. Help them in your role as to the individual stages, the project book
as the abridging of text passages.
plastic are particularly common in the an educator. let is also well suited to integration within
The meaning must be retained in its
original form. Changes to the meaning environment and what impact does this a project week.
are only permissible when it can be have on our seas and our ocean?
established that the original state
ment has neither been changed nor
distorted, nor altered, nor obfuscated.
This also applies in respect of indirect
impairment of the content by using
it in a context other than the context
What teachers and group leaders
originally intended.
Whether wholly or in part or in any
Need to know
other form, elements may only be
reproduced – whether electronically
or in writing – for purposes other
than those stated above with the prior
express written permission of the
German Federal Ministry of Education
and Research. The project booklet A torn plastic bag on the riverbank or Citizen science projects give people inter The research data collected by many
has been designed in such a way that
a yoghurt cup floating in the water are ested in science an opportunity to play a groups throughout Europe will, during the
it can be used as a master copy by
teachers and group leaders. Additional symptoms of serious interference with hands-on role in the research process. course of the project, be used to create a
information, useful links and the pro the highly complex system of seas, the The Plastic Pirates – Go Europe! scientifically sound, digital online map. In
ject booklet as a PDF file are available
ocean and flowing waterways. The Plastic campaign is one such example, a second step, this data will be evaluated
at plastic-pirates.eu/en.
Pirates – Go Europe! project focuses on contributing to research into the spread by research partners in Germany, Portu
this plastic waste problem and our future of both macroplastic and microplastic in gal and Slovenia, and then published. The
handling of it, but aims to familiarise the and around European rivers. Plastic Pirates team will keep you up to
young people with the general topic of the date about the scientific analyses:
ocean and water cycles in the process. This booklet provides a step-by-step plastic-pirates.eu/en/socialwall
They will learn what it means to work guide to conducting the project (including
scientifically – and try their hand at it. preparation and follow-up work).
3
The teaching materials and work
sheets for the Plastic Pirates –
Go Europe! youth campaign
For YOUNG PEOPLE
This booklet puts you in control. You decide which an important building block for scientific study and
Alongside this project booklet, teachers river you want to investigate for plastic waste. You ensures that your data are reliable and usable when
and group leaders at clubs/associations take the samples. You measure, collect and enter you have finished.
can also access supporting teaching ma the data gathered into our map at plastic-pirates.eu/
terials and worksheets on the topic of seas en/results/map. In other words, you don’t just ‘play’ You will use a range of methods to understand the
and the ocean. These materials are suitable at being scientists – you are a scientist! pollution by waste in and around the river and to
for educational work in both curricular record your findings. The booklet contains specific
and extracurricular settings. They contain This booklet will tell you exactly how it works and instructions for each method. Split into groups.
exercises for young people, are structured what you need to know. It will guide you through Different groups will tackle different aspects of
in a modular way and can be ordered the project over the next few pages. Each step is the study.
free of charge at plastic-pirates.eu/en/
material/order.
4 PLASTIC PIRATES – GO EUROPE!
N Terms such as Atlantic Ocean and
Pacific Ocean are still used and are not
wrong, but marine researchers talk
about a global ocean that connects the
various sea and ocean basins with the
marginal seas. For this reason, the
The beauty of plural term ‘oceans’ is avoided.
the Ocean
Seawater makes up nearly two-thirds of the earth’s sur-
face, which is why earth is a blue planet when seen from
space. The seas and the ocean are the largest connected S
habitat on our planet. They are important and precious –
and more than half of the world’s population live in coastal
areas.
The ocean gives us pleasure in the form of swimming and surfing, days at the beach
and cruises. It is our food source, we use it as a shipping route and we search for new
natural sources on the seabed. People who do not live on the coast are also con
nected to the ocean via rivers.
At the same time, the seas and the ocean are also under threat, for example due to
pollution caused by plastic waste. By taking part in the Plastic Pirates – Go Europe!
project, you can help protect the world’s seas and the creatures that live there. With
the studies that you will carry out on rivers, you will help scientists to find out where
the plastic waste is entering the seas and the ocean and where the waste comes from.
On the following pages, you will find out about aquatic ecosystems and their
inhabitants.
5 The deep sea Even today, the deep sea largely remains a mystery. Scientists know more about the surface of the moon than they do about large sections of the underwater regions of the world. That’s because planets and moons can be charted using tele scopes and satellites. Back down on earth, however, the ocean itself blocks our view of the seabed. In order to penetrate the depths of the ocean and transmit data and photos from the seabed, it is necessary to send various measuring instru ments and robots on complex missions. Frequently, scientists discover new species in the deep sea or are able to photograph creatures that no one has ever seen before. Large swathes of the seabed are made up of wide plains covered in sediment. Only very few creatures live here, as they are reliant on food that trickles down from above. When a whale dies and its corpse sinks to the bottom of the sea, it provides an abundance of food for all kinds of deep-sea dwellers. Although nearly no humans have seen the deep sea with their own eyes, our plastic waste has made its way into the deepest parts of the ocean (the Mariana Trench).
6 PLASTIC PIRATES – GO EUROPE!
The polar regions
The Arctic and Antarctic are amongst the coldest,
windiest, darkest and stormiest regions on the
planet.
The Arctic is an enormous area that makes up about five per
cent of the earth and four per cent of the world’s seas and
ocean. It is a large water basin that is partially covered in ice in
winter and summer and surrounded by continents.
The Antarctic, on the other hand, is a giant land mass, Ant
arctica, 98 per cent of which is covered by a layer of ice that is
more than four kilometres thick in places. The lowest tem
perature ever recorded was –89.2° Celsius and was measured
at the Vostok Station in the Antarctic. This is the world’s pole
Why don’t polar
of cold. However, because of climate change, the highest
temperature to date of 20.7° Celsius was recorded in the
bears eat
Antarctic in February 2020.
penguins?
During the short polar summer, the sun doesn’t set and its
strong rays, combined with the large quantities of nutrients
found in the cold waters, give rise to huge plankton blooms
(i.e. massive numbers of plant and animal plankton). As a
result, many species migrate to the polar regions to reproduce
or feed, such as the large fin whales and humpback whales.
The Antarctic, which in winter is twice as large as the United
States due to the formation of sea ice, is also home to krill, a
small shrimp-like creature that emits light. It is found in large
swarms and is regarded as one of the most adapted animals
on earth. Krill are eaten by penguins, seals and whales.
7 The coral reef Coral reefs delight us with their vibrant colours and the diversity of their wildlife. Warm tropical waters are home to coral reefs of gigantic proportions. All reefs combined, including cold-water reefs, cover about 300,000 square kilometres of the global continental shelf. The largest coral reef is the Great Barrier Reef, which is located off the north-east coast of Australia. It is home to more than 350 coral species and has been placed under special protection by the United Nations. Coral reefs are formed from the skeletons of stony corals and are an ideal habitat for many species of fish. Alongside the coral reefs found in tropical waters, the depths of the ocean also harbour cold-water corals, also known as deep-sea corals. These have been found in all the world’s seas at depths of up to 3,800 metres and more.
8 PLASTIC PIRATES – GO EUROPE!
Europe’s
R iv e r s –
where the sea starts
Rivers connect all of Europe – from small streams through to major rivers.
One of Europe’s longest rivers is the Danube, which flows through a total of
ten countries. The Danube stretches 2,850 kilometres from its source to the
mouth of the river, where it flows into the Black Sea.
Rivers offer habitat and food for a wide variety of flora and fauna but are also often struggling with environ
mental problems: one example of a typical European species found near rivers is the kingfisher. This little
brightly coloured bird eats small fish, grabbing them by diving into the river from its vantage point on the
banks. Although the European population of the kingfisher is stable, the species is experiencing habitat loss
due to the straightening of river paths, for example.
A freshwater fish that is typically found in Slovenia is the marble trout, which can be identified thanks to
its impressive marbled pattern. Although it grows quickly, the species is threatened due to overfishing and
interbreeding with non-native species. Many bodies of water in Portugal are home to the European otter, but
this species too is threatened by changes to its habitat, the exploitation of resources, hunting and pollution of
the waters where it makes its home. It will likely disappear from many of its waters if nothing is done to pro
tect its habitat. In Germany, thanks to many protective measures, beavers are returning to more and more
regions and building their lodges on the riverside.
Research conducted on waste pollution in rivers has already shown that large quantities of waste are carried
via rivers into seas and the ocean, where they pose a danger to marine wildlife. There are still many ques
tions about where exactly the majority of waste enters the rivers, who is responsible and what impact it has
on the river ecosystem. Over the next few weeks, precisely these questions will be researched by you – and,
in doing so, you will contribute to solving the waste problem!9
Insert your photo or
drawing here!
Your local river
Now it’s over to you. Over the next few hours and
days, your local river will become your classroom.
But before you start doing field work and taking sam
ples from your river, take a look at the river network
as a whole.
Exercises
1. raw the course of your local river onto the map
D
of your country.
2. Is there a river of similar length in one of the other
countries? Draw it in the corresponding map.
3. esearch your river and enter the answers to the
R
following questions on the map:
• Where is the river’s source?
• Where is its mouth?
• Where does it flow into?
• Which cities or towns does it pass on its way to
the mouth?
4. ate the condition of your river. Is it heavily used
R
or more natural?
Has there been any river restoration work (i.e.
work done to restore the river to its natural
state)?
5. Do you see your river as clean or dirty?
Maps not to scale10 PLASTIC PIRATES – GO EUROPE! River pollution A BIG PROBLEM FOR RIVERS AND THE OCEAN TOO Sadly, we humans don’t always look after our rivers and seas properly, leading to many different types of pollution. The use of too much Noise pollution, from Pollution caused Household and indus Pollution caused by fertiliser in agricul ship turbines and by organic pollu trial waste oil from shipping ture and therefore offshore industry tants and harmful and the petroleum excess fertiliser in substances such as industry water run-off pesticides Some of the waste that we humans produce is transported into seas and the ocean via rivers. This means that the amount of waste in the ocean increases each year. Long-lasting plastic waste that degrades very slowly is a particularly serious threat to marine wildlife and the entire ecosystem. But how does the waste enter the sea in the first place and how long does it take for plastic bags or fishing lines to degrade? And, of course, how does the issue affect us and how can we help to improve the situation? Become a researcher and study the plastic waste found in rivers and seas!
11
Macroplastic
Macroplastic refers to all pieces of plas Floating macroplastic is dangerous for are full of plastic. On the other hand, They end up dying in these fishing nets
tic that are larger than five millimetres. marine wildlife. On the one hand, it can animals such as turtles, seals and or from other pieces of plastic waste.
These include fishing nets, lids of water easily be mistaken for food and swal whales can become entangled in
bottles, cigarette lighters and flip-flops. lowed. As it cannot be digested, the ani torn-off nets, known as ‘ghost nets’, no
mals starve to death as their stomachs longer being able to swim.
Microplastic
Microplastic is smaller than five milli Many microplastic particles are caused This microplastic is referred to as Due to chemical properties, harmful or
metres. Scientists now split small by car tyres wearing down on the roads. ‘primary microplastic’. Like macroplas ganic substances can attach themselves
plastic particles into different categor These particles then make it to the tic, microplastic can also be confused to these tiny particles. If they are then
ies based on size – for example larger ocean via sewers and rivers. Micro with food by animals, resulting in it mistaken for prey and eaten by plank
microplastic (one to five millimetres), plastic generated by the fragmentation entering their bodies and thus becoming ton-eaters or other animals, they enter
smaller microplastic (one micrometre of larger objects is called ‘secondary part of the food web. To date, only little the food chain.
to one millimetre) and nanoplastic microplastic’. Small plastic pellets prod research has been conducted into how
(smaller than one micrometre), which is uced by industrial companies for the dangerous microplastic can be for ani
even smaller than bacteria. Microplastic manufacture of larger plastic objects mals and humans. Although microplas
is formed, for example, when larger or as additives for other products also tic is much smaller than macroplastic,
plastic particles in the ocean are broken make their way into the environment, for it can also pose a significant risk to
down into ever smaller parts by the example in transport accidents. marine wildlife.
sun’s rays, the salt content in the water
and the movement of waves.
! Info
In this project, you will be investigating
microplastic particles that are larger
than one millimetre, which is why the
booklet refers to ‘larger microplastic’.12 PLASTIC PIRATES – GO EUROPE!
Working like
scientists
When you think of scientists, you might have Researchers don’t just work in laboratories all day. For some,
their laboratory is even outdoors: at the beach, at a lake, in the
an image in your mind of old men in white forest or at a dune. Scientists also attend specialist confer
coats with crazy hair. The reality is very ences, supervise students, produce charts and communicate
with colleagues – all as much a part of their day-to-day tasks
different. as performing experiments and gathering data. It’s a highly
exciting and diverse profession. See for yourself ...
Now that you have learned so much In the next few hours, you should On the hunt for waste River sampling – let’s go!
about our ocean and our rivers and have therefore work through the Five steps
gained important knowledge about the of any scientific experiment: It is now time to plan the sampling pro Samples are taken from European rivers
problem of waste, it’s time to research cedure. We want to gain an insight into using a particular scientific method.
the issue more closely. It’s time for a Step 1: F
ormulate a research question. the waste by and in the river and record
scientific study. Step 2: M ake hypotheses (before start it using a variety of methods. Split into As it is not possible to take samples of
You should be clear about three things: ing their experiments, scien groups – with each group concentrating all rivers from source to mouth, we will
• This is a scientific study in which you tists make predictions about on one aspect of the issue of waste. use random sampling. This will give us
are gathering important research what they expect the results to a large body of data about the preva
data on waste. These data will be be; these predictions are then Look at the illustration on the next page lence of plastic by and in European
published afterwards. checked). and read through the research ques rivers.
• The study will be carried out by many Step 3: Plan the research method. tions for each group (page 16 onwards).
young people in various countries Step 4: Carry out the experiment and Split into groups, with each group se The same method will be used at all
in Europe, so it is important that gather data. lecting an aspect of the study that they sampling sites, enabling us to compare
everyone sticks to exactly the same Step 5: Evaluate and compare your will examine in more detail. the data at a later stage. This is only
method. results. possible, of course, if everyone sticks to
• In this project, you are the the predefined method.
researchers!13
An ove rvi ew of
Research methods
?
Read through the research questions for your
Grou p C group and write them down in your own words.
Floating waste
(page 20)
Group:
Research questions:
1.
Group B
Variety of waste on the 2.
riverbank
(page 18)
Extra group
Larger microplastic
on the riverbank 3.
(page 26)
Gr ou p D
Team of reporters
(page 24)
Group A
Waste on the
riverbank
(page 16)14 PLASTIC PIRATES – GO EUROPE!
Preparing to The sample site
Look for a suitable spot at which to You will soon realise that every river
take samples
take your samples. When you have and every riverbank are different. First
decided, think about the following of all, you will need to find a suitable
questions: spot by your chosen river where you can
look for different types of waste. Please
•H ow long and wide is the river? remember that safety always comes
To enable you to compare your results Now read your sampling method care Does its appearance change over its first when doing field work.
online with other groups at a later fully on the worksheet and fill in the course?
!
stage, it is important that all groups in boxes. Start assigning the first tasks • W hat does the riverbank look like?
all locations apply the same method. to members of your group. Think about soil composition, eleva
tions and hollows, and vegetation.
Does the riverbank look the same Look out for both yourselves as
everywhere or are there big differ well as the environment:
ences? adhere to rules in protected areas
My group • How is the area close to the riverbank and respect the breeding periods
used by humans? How is the river of birds.
used?
do the Name
I would like to Job
following jo b:
•U
se Google Earth, for example, for
remote exploration of your river and
find a suitable site together with
Materials list the other members of your group.
Think about what specifically your
group needs (e.g. access to the
river, vantage point, plenty of space,
particular ground). Please consider
the available riverbanks, which could
vary for certain rivers due to tides, for
Write down the most important aspects of your method in bullet point form: example.
Take a screenshot of your sampling
site using Google Earth, print it out and
stick it in this box. Describe your sam-
pling site (meadows, fields, streets,
urban area, etc.).15
Requirements for our group’s sampling site: The pilot phase
A scientific study also includes a pilot Search for your material together and
Notes phase. This is a trial run of the sampling run through your sampling procedure.
procedure that helps you prepare for To do this, look for a large open space
any problems that may occur during the (e.g. school playground, empty car
actual sampling. Don’t forget that your park), draw your section of the river in
data forms part of a real scientific study. chalk and see where you could take your
samples.
Do you have problems or questio
ns?
Were there any problems? How did you deal with them? Feel free to get in touch with us:
plastic-pirates.eu/en/contact
What problems do you expect to encounter when taking
samples from the river and how might you solve them?
Find out the coordinates of your chosen site in decimal degrees and
enter them here:
Problem Solution
Latitude .
Longitude .
Example: Brussels/Senne: 50.89853, 4.40344
Exploring the riverbank!
If possible (and allowed), explore the surroundings of your chosen site before taking
samples. Take photos so that you can show the other groups what it looks like there.
Imagine how you will apply your method at the site, taking into account the materials
required and the various tasks that need to be completed. Can you identify any further
obstacles? Complete the list above.16 PLASTIC PIRATES – GO EUROPE!
M et ho d
Group A
3. ow mark out your first transect.
N 5. ow search for waste in the first
N
This is an artificial line that runs circle and place it on a white cloth
1. o sample, you need a bit of space
T from the edge of the foreshore to next to the circle. Only collect
on the riverbank. Look for an easily the riverbank crown, so through all waste – no natural objects such as
waste on the riverbank accessible spot measuring approxi three zones. It is important that you wood or plant remnants. Only collect
mately 50 metres along the river place your transect at random – and waste that is at least as large as a
and 20 metres from the river. not because you see somewhere cigarette butt (two to three centi
with a lot or very little waste. metres) and that is actually located
Recommended group size of four
2. I dentify three different riverbank within the circle, even if other
to six zones: 4. ow determine a sampling point in
N waste is very close by.
Z one A: Foreshore. This zone is in each of the three riverbank zones (A,
regular (daily) contact with the river B, C): at your sampling point, place 6. n a sheet of paper, write down the
O
and roughly five metres wide. Here, a stick in the ground and tie a piece transect number, the sampling point
you can often see the most recent of string measuring 1.5 metres in (e.g. ‘1A’ means transect 1, foreshore
high-water mark. length around the bottom. Run the sampling point) and the name of
Z one B: Backshore. This zone is in string along the ground to trace out your school or club/organisation.
irregular contact with the river and a circle. Use small stones to mark Place this sheet of paper next to your
encompasses the next ten metres of the circle. Now trace out the second cloth and take a photo of the sheet
the riverbank. and third circles in zones B and C. of paper and the waste spread out
Z one C: Riverbank crown. This zone The distance between the circles on the cloth (see photo on page 17).
is not in contact with the river and should always be more or less the Make sure that the individual pieces
Rese arch starts about 15 metres from the same. Use the illustration overleaf of waste are easily visible, that they
Q u es t i o n s
river. to help you. do not overlap and that there are no
other objects on the piece of cloth.
R e q u ir e d Check whether the waste with the
sheet of paper can be identified.
1. ow much waste can be found
H
Mater ials Take a photo of each sampling
Ai m s
on the riverbank? -- A straight stick, approx. 50 cm long point, even if no waste was found
2.
of (photo of the sheet of paper with
sa mp lin g
hat material is the waste
W -- Piece of string, 1.5 m long an empty cloth). Otherwise, your
made of? Does it float or sink? results cannot be included in the
-- Pebbles or similar objects to scientific study.
3. ow likely is it that the waste
H -- Identify the different riverbank zones (using mark out a circle
found on the riverbank will the method described)
enter the river? Where on the -- Camera or smartphone
riverbank is the waste found? -- Determine sampling points where you can
look for waste on the riverbank -- Paper and a thick felt-tip pen -- 9 bags (for gathering the waste if this is
to be counted later at the school/in the
-- Sort the waste by material -- A white cloth group’s room)
-- Tape measure -- Work gloves17
! !
easily
7. pieces of waste are
ount out the items of waste and
C Make sure that the lap .
y do not ov er
sort them by the various materials. visible and that the
Enter your data in the results table
oto
on page 28.
E x a mpl e ph A transect is an im
aginary line
or more
8. epeat the procedure in the two
R that connects two
remaining circles and then mark out sampling po int s.
a second and third transect. This
ere data
repetition is important to generate Sampling points wh
ter mined
reliable data. Please ensure that are collected are de
your circles are roughly level with along this line.
those of the first transect. Provided
there is enough available space,
the distance between the transects
should be at least 20 metres. Transects
Re sult s
T ip Log
If you find a particularly large amount of waste, you Complete the
can pack it into bags after the last circle and count it table on page 28!
at school or in your group’s room. Please ensure that
each bag is labelled with the number of the transect
and sampling point (e.g. ‘1A’) to avoid mixing up
waste from different sampling points.
1 1A 1B 1C
Calculating the area
of the circle
2 2A 2B 2C
In order to work out how much waste
there is in one square metre of your
riverbank, we first of all need to know the
area of the circle (A). Use the following 3A 3 3A 3B 3C
formula: X
A=π×r
2
π: Pi = approx. 3.14 r Riverbank Riverbank
A~7m
2 ×
r: Radius of the circle (= 1.5 m) zone B zone C
Riverbank zone A Backshore Riverbank
Foreshore crown18 PLASTIC PIRATES – GO EUROPE!
M et ho d
Group B 1. irst, find a place to set up a
F
‘waste-sorting station’. It should be
in order to prevent waste already
accounted for from mixing with the
other waste (page 19). If you should
find a lot of waste that doesn’t fit into
Sandy or dirty pieces of waste
should be thoroughly shaken out.
Once your bucket is full, take it to
the sorting station, where the sort
Variety of waste on the at least 50 metres away from Group a category, you can supplement the ing experts will help you separate
riverbank A and not be exposed to wind. This categories with one of your own (see the waste into the proper categor
is where you will sort, count and ‘Results’, page 28). ies. Make your way back to the
document the waste you find. Split sorting station after an hour at the
Recommended group size of yourselves up: at least two partic 2. he other participants take buckets
T latest, or as soon as you are unable
ipants are responsible for sorting and look for waste. Be careful not to to find any more waste.
six to eight and documentation. More people are search in the area of Group A (they
needed if a lot of waste is found. The need an area of approx. 50 metres 4. ow measure how much of the
N
sorters should familiarise them on the riverbank)! In the process, riverbank you covered. Use the
selves with the waste categories do not venture more than 20 metres measuring tape or the string
(page 28) and set up the station: from the river. Before getting to do so. If you walked quite a
write the categories on a piece of started, mark this 20-metre point distance, you can also measure
adhesive tape and stick it to the can and then walk next to each other 50 or 100 metres of string and
vas. Position buckets for the pieces along the river. Doing so will allow then simply use the string to
of waste which could easily fly away you to maintain approximately the measure the distance. Make a
(plastic packaging and plastic bags) same distance from one another. note of this value in the data table
on page 28.
3. ollect all of the waste you find.
C
Rese arch Be careful if you encounter sharp
!
objects and hygiene items – always
Q u es t i o n s use work gloves to pick up these
items!
Info
Collect and document all waste (not
1. hich category of waste is most
W Ai m s Of only single-use plastic) in order to
R e q u ir e d
generate reliable data about all of
represented?
Sa mp lin g the waste.
2. hich single-use plastic items
W
were found most often? What is
-- Set up the waste-sorting station Mater ials
the ratio of single-use plastic -- Categorise the pieces of waste along -- Buckets, bags or other containers for -- Tape measure
waste to other waste? the riverbank collecting and sorting the waste (the more
the better) -- Camera or smartphone
3. hich (political) measures would
W -- Calculate the proportion of single-
lead to less plastic waste on the use plastic -- Canvas, approx. 5 m by 2 m -- Waste bags for removing the waste
riverbank?
-- Fabric adhesive tape and thick felt-tip pen -- Work gloves
-- String, at least 10 m long, the longer the -- Scale, ideally a luggage scale
better (for measuring the area)Wa st e-so rt in g stat io n
19
5. ount up the first pile of waste (see image
C
Fast-food packaging
Plastic bottles
below) and write down the result in the data Plastic cutlery
Plastic bags Plastic lids
table. If no waste was found in a particular
category, enter a zero in the table. Now spread
the waste out so that nothing overlaps. Take
a photo of the waste together with the cat
egory name and then check the quality of the Wet wipes,
photo. Take several photos if too much waste tampons, Polystyrene (‘styrofoam’)
in one particular category is found. Plastic food sanitary towels
packaging Plastic cotton buds Small pieces of plastic
6. ollow this procedure for all of the waste
F
categories.
7. ow weigh the plastic waste you found. Then
N
weigh all of the waste together, including Other plastic objects Beverage cans Aluminium foil Other metal objects
plastic waste, and enter the results in the
Metal bottle caps
table (page 28). You can use a waste bag for
weighing purposes. Once finished, dispose
of the waste properly.
8. alculate the total number of all types of
C
Glass bottles Cigarette butts
waste and what percentage each category Glass pieces Other glass objects
Paper
represents. Use the formula below to calcu
late the proportion of single-use plastic.
Record your results on page 28 and discuss
which measures would be effective to reduce Balloons Local waste
the waste in each category (e.g. prohibition Other waste
Textiles Rubber
of single-use plastic).
= How are pieces of waste counted?
% single-use plastic In general, the waste is counted as it is found. Waste items that are only loosely connected or that are
gle-use
Total number of sin found inside other containers are counted individually. For example, a plastic bag that contains other Re sult s
plastic × 100 waste must be emptied and each piece must be recorded separately (be careful and wear gloves).
Pieces of waste which are firmly connected (e.g. a glass bottle with the lid screwed on) or tightly
Log
ste items
Total number of wa wrapped objects (e.g. fishing nets) are counted as one piece of waste. The larger object determines
e plastic) Complete the
(including single-us the waste category. table on page 28!
Plastic bag with straw and disposable coffee cup = Glass bottle with a screwed-on metal
category ‘plastic bag’ 1×, category ‘plastic cutlery lid = category ‘glass bottle’ 1×
and plates’ 1×, category ‘takeaway packaging’ 1×20 PLASTIC PIRATES – GO EUROPE!
Group C M et ho d Me asurin g the flo w spe ed
Cas tin g the 3. ow measure the flow speed of the
N
sampling net river right next to the location where
A net
Floating waste the net has been cast: to do so, use
the measuring tape to measure off
1. ind a suitable spot for casting your
F 20 metres on the riverbank along as
Recommended group size of four for sampling sampling net. This could be a jetty, straight a stretch as possible. Mark
to six larger Microplastic a small bridge or an accessible spot a starting point at zero metres and a
on the riverbank. finishing point at 20 metres.
Your group will deal with If you wish to take part in sampling of
two different types of larger microplastics, you will need a 2. ast your net, with the opening
C 4. ow lay or toss one of the sticks at
N
waste: larger floating waste special net, which you can borrow free of facing the opposite direction to the the level of the starting point and
and larger microplastic. charge from our website plastic-pirates. river’s current. Stabilise the net so the approximate location of the
eu/en/material/sampling-net. Remember that the river water can flow net and start the stopwatch. Stop
to send your net back once you have taken through the opening. Note down the the stopwatch as soon as the stick
your samples – also free of charge, of current time. The net should be in passes the finishing point. Record
course. the river for 60 minutes. You can tie the time in seconds in the results
the net to a bridge railing or a table on page 29.
bollard. Once the net is attached,
Rese arch please take a photo of it floating in 5. epeat the measurement with the
R
Q u es t i o n s
the river. This information will be two remaining sticks and complete
helpful later to interpret the data. the table.
Calculate the average and use the
following formula to calculate the
1. ow many large items of waste float
H Ai m s of R e q u ir e d
flow speed of your river.
along the river towards the sea?
Is the majority of what you see sa mp lin g Mater ials
floating natural (e.g. leaves and In m/s =
branches) or rather floating waste? -- Sample with the net -- Sampling net Distance travelled in
m (= 20)
2. ow large are the floating items of
H -- Observe floating waste -- String/rope (to cast the net)
waste and what materials are they Average value of measure-
made of? -- Count and classify large floating -- Stopwatch/smartphone ments in s
waste and larger microplastic In km/h =
3. ow much larger microplastic
H -- Tape measure or string, 20 m long
is floating in the river towards
Flow velocity
the sea? -- Three sticks of similar size (may be in m/s × 3,600
found at the sampling site)
1,00021
Obs ervati on of Flo ating Wa ste
Calculation of larger
Width of the river microplastic per 1,000 litres
6. ow start observing floating items.
N 8. s soon as the period has elapsed,
A
Look for a vantage point from which write down the time in the results Use Google Earth, for example, to of river water
you can observe the floating waste. table. Retrieve the net after 60 min measure the width of the river at the You need the following data to calculate
If possible, stay close to your net so utes and make a note of the end time point from which you made your obser the number of larger microplastic frag
that you can monitor it. Now estimate when you do this. vations. Enter the value in the results ments per cubic metre of river water:
the entire width of the river and the table on page 29.
width which you can overlook. 9. eal the net so that it doesn’t come
S -- Flow speed in m/s.
Objects in the water (buoys, rocks) open again. Take it to your school or
can be helpful in doing so. On a group room to dry. The next page -- A rea of the net opening; measure the
bridge, you can also determine the continues with the analysis of the internal opening of your sampling net
GPS coordinates and use those to microplastic. in metres!
determine the width of the river. Side a = … m, side b = … m
Enter both values on page 29. Don’t forget that not all of the net is
submerged in the water. Normally,
7. ow keep a lookout for floating
N about 9 to 11 cm of the net is sub
waste. As soon as you see an object, merged. Therefore, use a value of
try to take a photo of it. Make the other 0.09 m for b. Calculate the surface
members of your group aware of it area of the opening in m2: a × b = ... m2 .
and, together, attempt to identify the
object and to find out what material -- Length of time for which the net was
it is made out of. Waste that is stuck cast, in seconds.
and not drifting is not counted. Make
a note of your observations in the list
on page 29. Keep a watch for floating Enter your values in the following
waste for at least 30 minutes. formula:
fragments per m
3
of larger mi croplastic
Number
ents in the net
m ber of la rg er microplastic fragm
Nu
seconds)
of th e net × Length of time (in
Area was cast
Flow speed of the × g in m
2 for which the net
op enin
river in m/s22 PLASTIC PIRATES – GO EUROPE!
A n a lys is o f Larger MICROPLASTIC FILAMENTS
th e la rg er mi cr op la st ic OF VARIOUS COLOURS
Small
white
STONES
PELLETS
1 cm
I n fo !
IDENTIFYING
larger Microplastic
It isn’t always easy to tell small plastic fragments
Larger microplastic apart from stones, shards of glass and mussel shells.
fragments Take a look at and compare the photos. What are the
differences between the four groups? Pay special
OF VARIOUS attention to the differences between white pellets,
white fragments and pebbles.
COLOURS
! Pl ea se no te
Be aware that you can only retrieve
plastic pieces larger than one milli-
metre, i. e. larger microplastic (see
page 11 for the size definitions of
microplastic).23
Dry the Pl ace co nt en ts S o r t a nd Note
Sampling net o n a tr ay them do w n
Re sult s
> > Log
Complete the table
on page 29!
As soon as the net (and its contents) are Look for larger microplastic using a Then pack the entire contents of the net Your teacher/group leader will return
dry, open it and empty the entire con dissecting microscope or a magnifying (larger microplastic and other objects) this bag to us along with your net so
tents onto a tray. Ensure that you have glass and sort the plastic pieces into into a tightly sealable bag and label this that your results can be confirmed.
really removed all materials; otherwise, fragments and pellets. Make a note bag with the name of your school or Note: Please send the sample even if
small pieces could remain in the net. of the results in the table on page 29. organisation and your group name. you did not find any larger microplastic.
Please see the opposite page for details
on how to recognise larger
microplastic.
R e q u ir e d
Mater ials
-- Tray w id th
-- Dissecting microscope of the ri ve r
or magnifying glass
-- Sealable bag (to send off the
Direc tio n of fl ow
sample)24 PLASTIC PIRATES – GO EUROPE!
M et ho d
Group D 1. earch for possible sources of
S
waste in the surrounding area
3. alk to the other groups and inter
T
view them. What methods have
they used and what did they aim to
research? Were there any major
6. on’t forget to make a note of the
D
date of today’s sampling on results
page 29. Also record the coordin
ates of your sampling location (you
Team of reporters and take photographic evidence. problems? What was their motivation can use Google Maps, for example,
Consider the following sources of like when taking samples? Com to do so, or you can ask your teacher
waste: overflowing bins by the river, plete the results table on page 29. for help).
Recommended group size of overflowing bins near the river, bulk
four to six waste, scrapyards, diverted waste 4. sk the other groups what waste
A Article about the
water, gratings, fishing equipment, they have found so far and think sampling process
very light plastic objects (which about where it might have come
could be transported by wind). from. Take photographic evidence. Take a look at your photos and write a
Could a larger one-time event be short article about your sampling pro
responsible for the waste (e.g. a 5. ow take a photo of all participants
N cedure for your school website. It may
storm or a festival)? (using a self-timer if available) and include the following:
write the name of your school/
2. s a group, discuss whether there
A organisation and the river on the - - The jobs done by each group
have been any severe weather photo. If you agree, this photo will
conditions in recent weeks. If yes, be shown together with your group - - How much waste was found by each
mark the corresponding data fields name on the map of Europe at group, and what kind
on page 29. plastic-pirates.eu/en/results/map
Rese arch for everyone who is interested. - - Whether any larger microplastic was
Q u es t i o n
found
- - The suspected source of the waste
1. How successful was sampling? - - How you liked the work and the pro
2. hat are the possible sources of
W Ai m s of R e q u ir e d ject
waste near the river? Where does
the waste come from? Who might
sa mp lin g Mater ials - - How river waste can harm plants,
animals and humans
be responsible? -- Camera or smartphone
-- Document the sampling with photos - - What we can all do to avoid waste in
3. ow could we possibly handle the
H or a short video -- A notepad and pen rivers and seas
!
waste problem?
-- Seek out and identify sources of Publish a few of your photos or a short
waste and estimate the effects of Info video.
the weather
Did you see any animals or plants that
were affected by the waste? Feel free to
-- Gather photographic evidence send us photos!25
Stick evidence photos here
What kind of waste is left behind and by whom? Take a look and identify the suspected
at the table and think about further evidence that may shed source of waste
some light on the source of the waste.
Source of waste Evidence
Residents Overflowing bins, household waste
er e.
ph oto h
‘Party waste’ (barbecue equipment, empty beer
d en ce
Riverside visitors
bottles) a n ev i
Stic k
Fly tippers Junk
Industry Microplastic pellets
Larger plastic films for covering fields, plastic
Agriculture
coverings for greenhouses
Items that are used on board ships: canisters, Stick an evidence photo here.
Shipping
waterproof clothing
Nets, fishing lines, salt packs, polystyrene/styro-
Fishing
foam boxes, other fishing equipment
Stic
k an
e v id
en ce
p h ot
o he
r e.26 PLASTIC PIRATES – GO EUROPE!
M et ho d
Extra
4. o to the first square. Remove all
G 6. ake a close look at the contents of
T
larger natural objects (e.g. stones, the tray. Sort larger microplastic
1. I dentify the high-water mark (the algae, plants, wood). Use a spade into one corner, count the plastic
Group
point at which wet and dry sand to dig about two centimetres into fragments and pellets and complete
meet). If you cannot find this line, the sand within (!) the square and the results table on page 29. Page
take samples within the first metre deposit it on a tray. 22 (Group C) describes how you can
of the riverbank. recognise larger microplastic.
Larger Microplastic 5. ilter the sand on the tray with the
F
on the riverbank 2. ay out a 20-metre-long piece of
L sampling sieve. Place everything 7. s soon as you have counted all the
A
string along this line and mark out left behind in the sieve onto another larger microplastic pieces and
three points parallel to the river – tray. If the sand is damp, do not filter entered them into the table on page
Optional, if there is a sandy at the start, middle and end of the it on the beach, but pour it into a 29, label a bag (name of your school/
beach length of string. bag. Label the bag with the sam organisation, sampling point number
pling point number (1, 2, 3), close it [1, 2, 3]). Pour the entire contents of
3. easure out a 50 centimetre by
M securely and take it with you back to the tray into the bag, including sand
50 centimetre square at each of your school/group room. Here, leave (not only the larger microplastic).
these points and mark it out in your sand to dry in appropriately Seal the bag.
the sand. labelled trays and filter it once it is
dry. Place everything left behind in 8. epeat the procedure with the sec
R
the sieve onto another tray. ond and third samples. Note: Please
do not mix the samples; instead,
pour them into separate labelled
bags.
Rese arch R e q u ir e d Calculating the sampling
Q u es t i o n s Ai m s of Mater ials area
sa mp lin g -- Sampling sieve, mesh width: 1 mm;
- - Work out the size of your
sampling squares in m2:
1. ow much larger microplastic can
H find instructions at plastic-pirates. side a in m × side b in m = ... m2
be found on sandy sections of the -- Determine the high-water mark and eu/en/material/download
riverbank (river beaches)? trace a transect along the sandy beach - - Calculate the number of pieces of
-- Piece of string, 20 m long larger microplastic for 1 m2 of each
2. ompare the larger microplastic
C -- Separate larger microplastic and sand sampling point: number of larger
you found on the riverbank with by filtering -- Small spade or tub to dig out the microplastic fragments / area of the
the plastic shown on page 22 and sand sampling point in m2
categorise it. -- Identify and classify larger microplastic
-- Three sealable bags to hold the - - Calculate the average of the three
3. oes the larger microplastic look
D samples sampling points to determine how
similar to the food of a bird species much larger microplastic per m2 of
common in the area? -- Trays river beach you found27
Pl ace co nt en ts S or t and
S a m p li n g SIEV E
o n a tr ay No te do w n
p o in t
A sfori esamvplieng larger microplastic
at the riv er bea ch
> > >
If you wish to take part in sampling of larger
microplastic, you will need a sampling
sieve, which you can construct yourselves.
You will find instructions on the website Number of pieces of larger micro
plastic-pirates.eu/en/material/download. plastic per m2 of each sampling
point
Number of larger microplastic
fragments found at each
sampling point
Size of sampling point in m2
Sa mp lin g po in t 1 Sa mp lin g po in t 2 Sa mp lin g po in t 3
0.5 m 10 m 10 m
0.5 m28 PLASTIC PIRATES – GO EUROPE!
Varie ty of wast e on
Group B the river bank
Results
Number
!
Plastic
Pl ea se no te Plastic bags
Plastic bottles for drinks
How polluted If you find a lot of waste which
cannot be put into a category,
Plastic lids of drink bottles
Takeaway and fast-food packaging, including disposable
is ou r riv er ?
but which is important for your
coffee cups and their lids
sampling location or for current Plastic cutlery and plastic plates (also plastic coffee
events, describe it and count it in stirrers and plastic straws)
Once you have entered your results, ask the other groups to the field labelled ‘Local waste’. Plastic packaging for sweets, biscuits, crisps, etc.
complete the tables. You will then have an insight into your This could be, for example, salt Cotton buds with plastic sticks (‘Q-tips’)
river and the types of waste present there. packs for fishing, stacks of old Wet wipes, tampons and sanitary towels
newspapers, batteries or face
Polystyrene (‘styrofoam’)
masks and disposable gloves that
Total number of single-use plastic
have accumulated due to the cor
Small pieces of plastic less than 2.5 cm
onavirus pandemic.
Other unidentifiable plastic objects
Group A Metal
Wast e on the river bank Metal beverage cans
Transect 1 Transect 2 Transect 3
Bottle caps
Sampling Sampling Sampling Sampling Sampling Sampling Sampling Sampling Sampling Aluminium foil
point point point point point point point point point Total
Other unidentifiable metal objects
A B C A B C A B C
Glass
Paper Glass bottles for drinks
Cigarette butts Glass pieces
Other unidentifiable glass objects
Plastic Other waste
Cigarette butts
Metal
Paper
Glass Textiles (clothing, shoes, textile remnants)
Rubber (car tyres, rubber bands)
Food leftovers
Balloons
Other waste Other unidentifiable waste
Local waste:
Total
Total number (including single-use plastic)
Per m²
Proportion
of single-use Length of river- Weight of Weight of all waste
Waste per m² plastic bank searched plastic waste including plastic
in each riverside
% m kg kg
zone: Foreshore (average of A + A + A) Backshore (average of B + B + B) Riverbank crown (average of C + C + C)29
Group C Float ing wast e Floating items
Obser ved
Start time End time width in m:
Time in minutes
Flow speed
m/s
Run Time in seconds
List of floating waste (ite River width in m:
1st stick m and material , e.g. ‘bo
(plastic), bag (paper), str ttle
2nd stick km/h ing (other)’)
3rd stick
Larger microplastic Extra group
La rg er mi cr op la
Start time End time Time in minutes st ic on th e ri ve rb
an k
L arger mic Sampling
point
roplastic
Pellets 1 2 3 Total
Pellets Fragments Total
Fragments
Number of fragments
caught Total
Number per 1,000 l Total number of floati Per m ²
ng waste
of water
Group D Team of repor ters Sampling point coordinates:
Possibly
Lots of problems
Some problems
Sources of waste Evidence
Yes
No
Sampling date: Problems
No problems
during
Residents
sampling
Riverside visitors
The biggest problems
Fly tippers Weather over the last Group A
Yes
No
seven days
Industry Group B
Heavy rain, flooding
Agriculture Group C
Storm, strong winds
Shipping Extra group
Heat, dry ness
Fishing30 PLASTIC PIRATES – GO EUROPE!
Upload
Yo u r D ata
Once you have evaluated your findings, you Your data are online –
should upload the key data, as well as your what happens now?
photos, to the following website:
plastic-pirates.eu/en/results/data-upload You’ve done your part – and it’s now time for
Think about a name for your group, which others to get to work. It all lies in the hands of
you will use when uploading your results so the research partners in Germany, Portugal
that other project groups can compare their and Slovenia, who will scientifically evaluate
findings with yours. the data submitted by all project groups. As this
is such a large-scale study, it will take a bit of
To do so, go to the website and fill in the fields. time to make everything absolutely water
Ideally, you will nominate one person to enter tight in line with scientific standards.
all the data. The researchers in Germany, We will keep you up to date via
Portugal and Slovenia also need your original social media about the scientific
results to scientifically evaluate and interpret evaluation:
your data. Please therefore also upload a scan plastic-pirates.eu/en/socialwall
or photo of the completed results pages (28
and 29). Enter your data two weeks after the You can find results from previous
end of the campaign period at the latest. counting periods here:
plastic-pirates.eu/en/results/analysis31
Plastic Pirates – Go Europe!
https://www.plastic-pirates.eu/en/results/data-upload
Your Group name Group C
• Flow speed of your river:
• Floating waste: items of waste were observed
Date of Sampling Sampling Site
• Larger microplastic: ieces of larger microplastic
p
(DD) . (MM) . (YYYY) per 1,000 l of river water
Name of the River Extra Group
• pieces of larger microplastic per m² of river beach
Coordinates Of your chosen site
Latitude .
Number of Participants
Longitude .
Images of findings And original data
• Photos of waste collected at the sampling points (Group A)
Your Group photo
• Photos of the waste from the various waste categories (Group B)
• Photo of the sampling net in the river and photos of floating waste,
if available (Group C)
Group A • A photo/scan of pages 28 and 29 with all data collected
• Waste on the riverbank: pieces of waste per m² The data upload will take approximately 20 minutes. You will receive email
confirmation once the upload is successfully completed. This email will con-
tain a confirmation link that you need to click on to release the data.
Group B Feel free to get in touch with us should you have any technical difficulties or
• Number of pieces of waste made of single-use plastic: questions: plastic-pirates.eu/en/contact
• Total number (including single-use plastic):
• Weight of all waste in kg:You can also read
