Mimmi Throne-Holst – SINTEF CENTER FOR CLEAN OCEAN RESEARCH
SINTEF CENTER FOR CLEANOCEAN RESEARCHMimmi Throne-Holst, Research Manager, SINTEF OceanSTCM BSPC Seminar, 12th of November, 2018NASA/Apollo 17 crewReuters"Clean Ocean for Clean Blue Growth"Challenges related to marine littering and pollution must be solvedto realise growth in a sustainabe blue economy4Photo: shutterstockClimate Change &AcidificationNASA Scientific Visualization StudioOver Fishing &Destruction of HabitatesNOAAMarine Littering &PollutionshutterstockSINTEF Center for Clean Ocean ResearchMarine Oil Spill R&D Plastic in the Ocean Emerging PollutantsDeposition in the Ocean Nanomaterials in the Ocean Ocean Politics10NASA/GSFCOil Spill Contingency and Response• Oil chemistry and weathering studies• Use of dispersants• In-situ burning• Mechanical recovery• Oil on shore• Field work12SINMOD DREAM OSCARMarine ecosystem Accidental releases of oilRegular dischargesand physicsand ecotoxicologywww.sintef.no/SINMOD www.sintef.no/DREAM www.sintef.no/OSCARDecision support, environmental impact & risk assessment.Where does it end up? What will be affected? How can we reduce the impact?How can we mitigate/respond?Poor management ofwaste is the cause of 80-90% of all marine pollution1415Photo by Miriam GoldsteinWhat is plastic in the ocean?• The most common types of plastic: PE, PP, PVCand polyester+ additives+ other pollutants+ biota, e.g. bacteria• The size matters• Macroplastic -> microplastic -> nanoplastic16Ok, but how about biodegradable plastic?• May be a solution to someapplications, but we need to considerthat biodegradable plastic:• May not have the same functional properties as"regular" plastic• May not biodegrade under all conditions, e.g.not in nature• May still contain additives• May not be recyclable using current technology• Is designed to become waste, i.e. does notreadily fit into a circular economy17Conventional Plastic vs. Bioplastic vs. Biodegradable Plastic18http://www.plastics.org.nz/environment/bioplastics-degradablesHow do we mitigate plastic pollution?• Development/improvement of infrastructureand waste management• Phase out unnessesary single use plastic• Extend liability for producers• International coordiation• New knowledge and technologyFoto: shutterstock19• Discharge of microfibres from textiles• Resultater:• Great difference between different materials• Most fibres are released in the first washingAndy.Booth@sintef.noClimate change is the greatest threat toocean healthNASA Scientific Visualization StudioThank you!Mimmi.Throne-Holst@sintef.no22Teknologi for et bedre samfunn