Development of harmonized operational protocols for the collection, identification and counting of microplastics within the IAEA NUTEC Plastics initiative

The problem of plastic pollution is receiving increasing attention worldwide, but there are still gaps in addressing the problem due to a lack of sufficient awareness, knowledge, technology, funding and effective policy. Analyses and evidence show that nuclear applications can complement existing technologies and thus accelerate the transition towards a circular economy for plastics. However, the potential contribution of nuclear science and technology to address the plastic waste problem is not well known and therefore rarely included in proposals for sustainable, scalable solutions. To address this issue, the IAEA has recently developed the Nuclear Technology for Controlling Plastic Pollution initiative (NUTEC Plastics), based on its previous and existing work, to support IAEA Member States (MSs) in integrating nuclear techniques into their efforts to address the challenges of plastic pollution. Techniques such as gamma and X-ray imaging and isotope tracers have unique capabilities for monitoring MP pollution and assessing its impact on ecosystems and consequently on human health. They are also very useful to verify the effectiveness of implemented mitigation measures against MP pollution and its environmental impact.
Here we present the activities so far undertaken within the NUTEC Plastics for European and Central Asia Region, that started in 2024 as part of the IAEA TC RER7016 project. In particular, we present a recently developed and accepted methodology to determine the abundance of MPs in beach sand and marine waters ranging in size from 0.3 mm to 5 mm, with the aim of harmonizing the monitoring of MP pollution in the marine coastal zones in all IAEA regions. The results obtained from applying this methodology will be comparable and valid for the report on indicator 14.1.1b of the SDG of the UN 2030 Agenda. The harmonization of MP monitoring protocols and methods represents the first phase of the planned NUTEC Plastics activities aimed at creating a global network of laboratories capable of providing MP monitoring at a basic level. This includes the purchase and installation of MP sampling and analysis kits for the monitoring of 0.3-5 mm MP as well as the training of researchers and technical staff. The second project phase envisage the development of a network of intermediate and advanced level laboratories capable of using highly sensitive technologies for the analysis of MP <0.3 mm in size, combined with geochronological dating technologies such as Pb-210 and Cs-137 for marine and lake sediments geochronological dating.
The NUTEC Plastics project will strengthen and expand a network of laboratories to assess the type of MPs and their spatial and temporal abundance. The IAEA's regional activities enable the comparison and assessment of MP pollution globally and in different environmental compartments (rivers, lakes, oceans, soils, water, groundwater, biota) for a better understanding of the origin, transport mechanisms, fate and impact of MP. The data obtained will be validated and made publicly available through the IAEA and other relevant environmental databases. This is considered essential to define environmental protection measures, adopt appropriate regional action plans and evaluate their effectiveness.