Surfing for Science en Menorca

A group of volunteers has participated in the "Surfing for Science" project of the University of Barcelona and Surfriders Foundation during 2023 and 2024. 

What is the Surfing for Science project and what does it consist of?

The Surfing for Science project was born from the need to acquire data on the magnitude of plastic pollution in the area of the sea closest to the coast. This area is inaccessible to oceanographic research vessels due to the shallow depth and the presence of bathers. We believe that this area is precisely where the flows of plastics are greatest, as it is where the transition between the sources of plastics and the final destination takes place; between the continent and the oceans.

What are microplastics and how do they affect the environment and people's health?

Microplastics are defined as plastic items smaller than 5 mm in size. They can come from the degradation of larger objects such as containers or bags or can be released directly into the environment in the form of fibres, pellets or chopsticks. If ingested by organisms, their effects can be several: drowning, obstruction, decreased growth rates and death by starvation, caused by the feeling of satiety. The release of attached chemical compounds can also cause hormonal disruptions.

How have the samples been collected and what has been analysed?

Volunteers have paddled for about a nautical mile – an hour of exercise – dragging a microplastic fishing net specially designed for the project once a month for more than a year. This net collects all floating microplastics larger than 0.3 mm. At the University of Barcelona, all the samples have been counted and characterized, collecting data such as the color, shape and polymer of each microplastic, giving a lot of information about its origin.

We would like to thank Binibeca Diving and Blue Islands Diving for collaborating in the project by offering material to the volunteers.