Monitoring microplastic pollution in coastal waters: From sampling and analysis to data

Resumen

This blended training course, titled in Spanish “Monitoreo de la contaminación por microplásticos en aguas costeras: del muestreo y análisis a los datos”, aims to build the capacity of upper secondary school teachers and boat operators in the Comunidad Valenciana to participate in harmonised microplastic monitoring in coastal waters through the Erasmus Maris initiative. 

The course combines online theoretical learning with practical field, laboratory, and data-management training. Participants will learn the full monitoring chain: understanding microplastic pollution in aquatic environments, collecting surface-water samples using a manta net, processing and analysing samples in the laboratory following standard operating procedures, applying quality assurance and quality control principles, managing data and metadata, and uploading validated information to the MARIS database. 

The course is designed to empower teachers to implement microplastic monitoring activities with their students and to contribute to a wider citizen-science and environmental monitoring network. Boat operators will be trained to support safe and harmonised sampling operations at sea. The training includes online lessons and quizzes, practical laboratory work with reference material, boat-based sampling demonstrations, and hands-on use of the MARIS data portal. 

Participants will learn the full monitoring chain: understanding microplastic pollution in aquatic environments, collecting surface-water samples using a manta net, processing and analysing samples in the laboratory following standard operating procedures, applying quality assurance and quality control principles, managing data and metadata, and uploading validated information to the MARIS database.

The course is organised by ASE / Ayam Sailing Europe and the University of Alicante, implemented in the framework of the Erasmus Maris initiative, with the support of the UNESCO IOC OceanTeacher Global Academy (OTGA).

Needs and priorities

Microplastic pollution is a growing environmental concern in coastal and marine environments. Reliable monitoring requires harmonised sampling, analysis, data management, and quality-control procedures. At the same time, effective microplastic monitoring requires data collection over wider geographical areas and repeated time periods, which is difficult to achieve through conventional scientific monitoring alone. Citizen science can help address this gap by expanding monitoring capacity through trained local actors. Schools and teachers are especially relevant in this context: once trained, teachers can support recurring monitoring activities with students, embed ocean literacy and environmental science into education, and contribute harmonised data and metadata to a shared monitoring system. Local maritime actors further strengthen the approach by supporting safe and standardised sampling operations.  

This course responds to the need for practical capacity development in coastal microplastic monitoring in Spain, with a specific focus on the Comunidad Valenciana. The training supports teachers and boat operators to become local actors in a structured monitoring system. By combining scientific protocols with educational implementation, the course strengthens the capacity of schools to contribute to ocean literacy, citizen science, and evidence-based environmental action. 

The course contributes to IOC capacity development priorities by: 

• providing applied training for teachers and local operators; 
• supporting access to standardised scientific methods and digital tools; 
• promoting ocean literacy and environmental education in secondary schools; 
• strengthening local capacity to generate comparable environmental data; 
• supporting the use of harmonised data and metadata systems for future integration with wider marine data infrastructures. 

The course also supports the objectives of the Erasmus Maris initiative by preparing teachers and local partners to collect, analyse, document, and upload microplastic monitoring data following common procedures. 

Format and Duration

This is a blended course combining online self-paced learning with two days of synchronous practical training.

Online component (self-paced)

Lessons and quizzes on microplastic pollution, sampling and analysis methods, standard operating procedures, data management, unique identifiers, and MARIS/EMODnet integration. Approximately 4 hours. Participants may complete the online quizzes during or after the practical training days.

Onsite practical training:

• Day 1 - 22 May 2026, 16:00–20:00 CEST: Laboratory training and MARIS database/data-entry training. Venue: IES LA MAR, Jávea, Spain.
• Day 2 - 23 May 2026, 09:30–13:30 CEST: Manta-net sampling practice, online course/quizzes, and final debriefing. Venues: Club Náutico Dénia and IES Sorts de la Mar, Dénia, Spain.

Total estimated workload: approximately 14 hours (10 hours synchronous + 4 hours asynchronous).

⚠️ Attendance at both practical sessions is mandatory for certification.

Venue

• IES LA MAR, Jávea, Spain - laboratory training
• Club Náutico Dénia, Dénia, Spain - boat-based manta-net sampling
• IES Sorts de la Mar, Dénia, Spain - online quizzes and computer-based work

Language of Instruction: Spanish. The online lessons and quizzes are currently in English; a Spanish translation may be made available before the course.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the main sources, pathways, and environmental relevance of microplastic pollution in aquatic and coastal environments
• Describe how microplastics are distributed in surface waters and sediments, and why harmonised monitoring is needed
• Apply the Erasmus Maris manta-net sampling protocol for surface-water microplastic monitoring
• Record essential sampling metadata including GPS coordinates, environmental conditions, sea state, and sampling duration
• Process microplastic samples in the laboratory following the Erasmus Maris standard operating procedure
• Carry out main laboratory steps: sample preparation, digestion, density separation, filtration, visual counting, and optional Nile Red staining
• Understand the purpose of reference material and QA/QC checks
• Use the MARIS database and data portal to enter monitoring data and metadata in a structured way
• Explain the importance of unique identifiers, standardised formats, and traceability for environmental data management
• Implement Erasmus Maris / M.A.R.I.S. monitoring activities with students and local partners after the course

Course Content

Online

1. Definition of microplastics and distinction between primary and secondary microplastics
2. Microplastics in aquatic environments: transport, distribution, density, and accumulation
3. Pathways through which microplastics enter aquatic environments
4. Sampling and analysis methods for microplastic assessment
5. Standard operating procedures for microplastic analysis
6. Challenges of integrating data from multiple sources
7. Data management approaches: Back-End Consolidation and Front-End Responsibility
8. Unique identifiers and data structure in the MARIS monitoring system
9. Integration of MARIS data into wider marine data systems, including EMODnet

Onsite

• Welcome and group distribution
• Delivery and explanation of sampling protocols
• Boat-based manta-net sampling demonstration and practice
• Recording of sampling metadata and environmental conditions
• Laboratory training and MARIS database/data-entry training
• Introduction to the UNESCO/OTGA online microplastics course and quizzes
• Final debriefing and explanation of next steps for certification and post-course monitoring

Target Audience

The course is primarily designed for upper secondary school teachers from the Comunidad Valenciana, Spain, interested in implementing microplastic monitoring activities with their students. A small group of boat operators supporting sampling activities are also included.

Expected participants: approximately 60 upper secondary school teachers and approximately 4 boat operators.

Basic science background recommended. No advanced laboratory experience required.

Organizers

• ASE / Ayam Sailing Europe
• University of Alicante

Implemented in the framework of the Erasmus Maris initiative, with the support of the UNESCO IOC OceanTeacher Global Academy (OTGA).

Facilitators

• Kamel Labibes - Ayam Sailing Europe (ASE)
• Carlos Sanz Lázaro - University of Alicante
• Raquel Sánchez Romero - University of Alicante
• Alba Benito Kaesbach - University of Alicante
• Antonia Trompeta - ASE / Ayam Sailing Europe, Erasmus Maris Educational Network Coordinator, Valencian Community

Registration, Costs, and Technological Requirements

There are no tuition fees for participants. Travel, accommodation, and any personal costs are the responsibility of participants or their institutions.

Participants need access to:

• A computer or tablet for online lessons and quizzes
• A web browser and ability to use an online learning platform
• Basic familiarity with spreadsheets or data-entry forms (useful but not mandatory)
• A smartphone or GPS-enabled device (useful for recording coordinates during sampling)
• Access to the MARIS data portal

No advanced software installation is required.

UNESCO is committed to promoting equal access principles. Applications from minority or underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.

Assessment & Certificate

• To receive the certificate, participants must:
• Attend the mandatory practical sessions on 22 and 23 May 2026
• Complete the required online lessons and quizzes
• Actively participate in sampling, laboratory, and data-management activities
• Follow the Erasmus Maris sampling and analysis SOPs
• Correctly process and analyse reference samples within an accepted recovery range
• Correctly upload complete data and metadata to the MARIS database
• Complete the mandatory course evaluation/feedback form

Contacts

For course organisation, please contact: Dr Kamel Labibes - coordination@ayamsailing.eu

For additional questions, please contact the OTGA Secretariat (ioc.training@unesco.org), always using the name of the course as email subject.

Cancellation Policy

In the event of cancellation of the course by the OTGA or its affiliates, we will provide notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date. In the event of cancellation by the attendee, we should receive notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date.