OCEANOGRAPHIC
RESEARCH
ENRICHING OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH TO EQUIP PUBLIC STAKEHOLDERS
ON OCEAN POLLUTION
To effectively combat ocean pollution, it is first necessary to fully understand its scope. This is the role of oceanographic research, and to achieve this, we embark on the sailboat equipped with the necessary tools to measure the concentration of macro/microplastics in the oceans, conduct characterizations of macro-waste present on coastlines, and study the evolution of ocean currents and salinity.
1. SAMPLING OF MICROPLASTICS AT SEA
Plastic waste accounts for nearly 85% of the waste that ends up in our oceans, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Unlike other waste made of different materials (glass, textiles, metal, ceramics, etc.), the majority of plastic waste does not sink to the ocean floor; instead, it continues to drift with the currents, gradually breaking down into microplastics. These microplastics, the only visible elements of this marine pollution, are the subject of numerous studies to estimate the extent of marine pollution and its impact on marine fauna and flora.
L'Expédition Bleue conducts microplastics sampling using a wide conical net called the Manta net, which is towed behind the sailboat during its navigations. After analysis, these samples provide information on the concentration and type of plastics present in the oceans we traverse, as well as tracking their evolution compared to samples taken by other organizations in previous years. These samplings are conducted under a scientific protocol supported by the Swiss organization Oceaneye.
The obtained results are then used to inform and equip public stakeholders about ocean plastic pollution. They will be disseminated through OceanEye's database and informational materials, made available to NGOs, including the United Nations Environment Programme.
2. CARRYING OUT WASTE COLLECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OPERATIONS ALONG COASTLINES
In order to better understand the source of ocean pollution, which originates from 80% of human activities conducted on land, one of the actions taken is the characterization of waste collected during cleanup operations. Although the impact remains unfortunately negligible compared to the continuous flow of waste that converges into our oceans daily, these operations aim to identify each piece of waste individually and trace its route, enabling the implementation of concrete actions (identifying flaws in waste management systems, consumer awareness, etc.).
The sailboat of L'Expédition Bleue will organize waste collection and characterization operations along coastlines with local communities. These operations are conducted under the Wings of the Ocean label - aiming to provide a comprehensive response to the nature of coastal pollution - and follow the scientific protocol deployed by the MerTerre association for waste characterization at Level 2 and Level 3.
The results of our waste collection and characterization operations will be shared with local authorities and stakeholders (businesses, waste collection companies) and made accessible on the RemedZeroPlastique platforms.
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3. PHYSICO-CHEMICAL MEASUREMENTS OF TEMPERATURE AND SALINITY
In order to monitor the oceans' changes, various parameters are taken into account to assess variations in the physico-chemical balance of water and their impact on marine fauna and flora.
During the Expédition Bleue's journey across each ocean and sea, temperature and salinity measurements will be recorded in the water every 15 minutes. These readings will be accessible through an open data platform, enabling the tracking of ocean temperatures, salinity, and surface currents. These measurements are collected as part of the SensOcean program, aiming to create a comprehensive network of ocean data to enhance our understanding.
PROVIDING VOLUNTARY ACCESS FOR RESEARCHERS
L'Expédition Bleue's crew willingly provides access to researchers interested in retrieving physico-chemical data, nutrient concentrations, or the presence of particular materials in the marine environments encountered (through direct instrument sampling or deployment of autonomous instruments).
It should be noted that the nature of the measurements/samplings and the expedition's itinerary are not fixed and may evolve based on the needs of researchers and the capabilities offered by the sailboat.