AOMI Database Workshop: Enhancing Ocean Microplastics Monitoring
AOMI Database Workshop: Enhancing Ocean Microplastics Monitoring
The Ministry of the Environment, Japan, convened online the international workshop “AOMI Database Workshop: Enhancing Ocean Microplastics Monitoring” on October 8, 2024 , to improve recognition of the Atlas of Ocean Microplastics (AOMI) which was released in May, and to facilitate understanding of the importance of accumulating and utilizing monitoring data on marine plastic litter.
This workshop featured related initiatives, such as the UNEP Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (GPML), detailing their current activities and tools. Additionally, a panel discussion addressed the current situation and challenges in ocean surface plastic monitoring. Finally, in the later session, we introduced specific functions and data submission processes in AOMI.
This workshop featured related initiatives, such as the UNEP Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (GPML), detailing their current activities and tools. Additionally, a panel discussion addressed the current situation and challenges in ocean surface plastic monitoring. Finally, in the later session, we introduced specific functions and data submission processes in AOMI.
■ Background & Objective
Marine litter, including plastic, is a global challenge. Microplastics pollution of the marine environment is recognized as a serious international issue; therefore, determining the current distribution and quantity of ocean microplastics is an urgent task. This is important for policymaking and implementation based on concrete scientific knowledge. Microplastics monitoring is performed by many institutions worldwide using various methods. However, different sampling and analytical methods are used depending on the purpose of the survey in each country and research institution.
To address the situation, in May 2019, the MOE Japan published the first version of the "Guidelines for Harmonizing Ocean Surface Microplastics Monitoring Methods", based on comparison studies of sampling and analysis methods through demonstration projects and discussions at an international expert meeting.
By applying these guidelines, the comparability of monitoring data on ocean surface microplastics can be improved. However, global monitoring data have not yet been compiled in a comparable manner. Therefore, Japan proposed a new global monitoring data-sharing system at the G20 Workshop held by the MOE Japan in September 2020, and a database system called the Atlas of Ocean Microplastics (AOMI) has been released in this May, which contains monitoring data on ocean surface microplastics* from researchers, institutions, and governments around the world and provides the collected data with 2D maps of sampling locations and microplastics distribution.
However, there is still a lack of monitoring data, especially in Southeast Asia, Africa, South America, and India. Therefore, the Ministry of the Environment, Japan, convened the international workshop “AOMI Database Workshop: Enhancing Ocean Microplastics Monitoring” on October 8, 2024, to improve recognition of the AOMI and facilitate understanding of the importance of accumulating and utilizing monitoring data on marine plastic litter.
This workshop featured related initiatives and research, such as the UNEP Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (GPML), detailing their current activities and tools. Additionally, a panel discussion addressed the current situation and challenges in ocean surface plastic monitoring. Finally, in the later session, specific functions and data submission processes in AOMI were introduced.
To address the situation, in May 2019, the MOE Japan published the first version of the "Guidelines for Harmonizing Ocean Surface Microplastics Monitoring Methods", based on comparison studies of sampling and analysis methods through demonstration projects and discussions at an international expert meeting.
By applying these guidelines, the comparability of monitoring data on ocean surface microplastics can be improved. However, global monitoring data have not yet been compiled in a comparable manner. Therefore, Japan proposed a new global monitoring data-sharing system at the G20 Workshop held by the MOE Japan in September 2020, and a database system called the Atlas of Ocean Microplastics (AOMI) has been released in this May, which contains monitoring data on ocean surface microplastics* from researchers, institutions, and governments around the world and provides the collected data with 2D maps of sampling locations and microplastics distribution.
However, there is still a lack of monitoring data, especially in Southeast Asia, Africa, South America, and India. Therefore, the Ministry of the Environment, Japan, convened the international workshop “AOMI Database Workshop: Enhancing Ocean Microplastics Monitoring” on October 8, 2024, to improve recognition of the AOMI and facilitate understanding of the importance of accumulating and utilizing monitoring data on marine plastic litter.
This workshop featured related initiatives and research, such as the UNEP Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (GPML), detailing their current activities and tools. Additionally, a panel discussion addressed the current situation and challenges in ocean surface plastic monitoring. Finally, in the later session, specific functions and data submission processes in AOMI were introduced.
■ Information & Presentation material
(1) Time and format
Date: October 8, 2024
Time: 18:00-21:00 (JST)
Meeting style: Virtual meeting (Zoom webinar)
Organizer: Ministry of the Environment, Japan
(2) Program
(3) Presentation material
1. MOEJ_Aim and Background of the DB Project
2. Dr. Atsuhiko Isobe, Kyushu University_Importance of Dataset in the MPs research activity and the Potential of AOMI
3. Activities and efforts on monitoring data
3-1. Ms. Nisha Gill Hansted, GPML
3-2. Ms. Lotta Fyrberg, IOC/IODE
3-3. Mr. Matteo Vinci, EMODNet
3-4. Dr. Jennifer Webster, NOAA
4. Sharing current monitoring activity in South America, India, Southeast Asia, Africa
4-1. Dr. Andrés H. Arias, Argentinean Institute of Oceanography (IADO, CONICET), National University of the South, Argentina
4-2. Dr. Prasun Goswami, Hygine Management Division, National Institute of Animal Health, Japan (NIAH-NARO, Japan)
4-3. Dr. Muhammad Reza Cordova, Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia
4-4. Dr. William Froneman, University of Cape Town, South Africa
5. Function and data upload process of AOMI
5-1. Dr. María Belén Alfonso, Kyushu University_Introduction and Demonstration of AOMI/Promotion activities conducted by Kyushu University COPS
5-2. Dr. Atsuhiko Isobe /Parsa Yousefian, Kyushu University_Introduction of activity of dataset collection, acceptance, and processing along with overall data handling workflow
5-3. Dr. Haruka Nakano, Kyushu University_Explanation of QC and data policy, including demonstration of data submission and utilization, and data processing methods
6. MOEJ_Plan on AOMI’s system renovation and future direction
Date: October 8, 2024
Time: 18:00-21:00 (JST)
Meeting style: Virtual meeting (Zoom webinar)
Organizer: Ministry of the Environment, Japan
(2) Program
(3) Presentation material
1. MOEJ_Aim and Background of the DB Project
2. Dr. Atsuhiko Isobe, Kyushu University_Importance of Dataset in the MPs research activity and the Potential of AOMI
3. Activities and efforts on monitoring data
3-1. Ms. Nisha Gill Hansted, GPML
3-2. Ms. Lotta Fyrberg, IOC/IODE
3-3. Mr. Matteo Vinci, EMODNet
3-4. Dr. Jennifer Webster, NOAA
4. Sharing current monitoring activity in South America, India, Southeast Asia, Africa
4-1. Dr. Andrés H. Arias, Argentinean Institute of Oceanography (IADO, CONICET), National University of the South, Argentina
4-2. Dr. Prasun Goswami, Hygine Management Division, National Institute of Animal Health, Japan (NIAH-NARO, Japan)
4-3. Dr. Muhammad Reza Cordova, Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia
4-4. Dr. William Froneman, University of Cape Town, South Africa
5. Function and data upload process of AOMI
5-1. Dr. María Belén Alfonso, Kyushu University_Introduction and Demonstration of AOMI/Promotion activities conducted by Kyushu University COPS
5-2. Dr. Atsuhiko Isobe /Parsa Yousefian, Kyushu University_Introduction of activity of dataset collection, acceptance, and processing along with overall data handling workflow
5-3. Dr. Haruka Nakano, Kyushu University_Explanation of QC and data policy, including demonstration of data submission and utilization, and data processing methods
6. MOEJ_Plan on AOMI’s system renovation and future direction