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Sail & explore association
About
MAKing THE INVISIBLE PLASTIC VISIBLE
We are building the first global, sub-300 micron microplastic database, providing the first step towards human health impacts. Join us on our mission.
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11.02.2026
World Sailing Sustainability Session
"Join this session to hear about Sail & Explore's expeditions and their groundbreaking research into microplastics, and to learn how their work is helping to create a healthier ocean for all."
09.08.2025
We’re excited to announce the launch of a new research initiative at Jungfraujoch (3,463m), one of the highest-altitude research stations in Europe and a unique site for atmospheric science.
For the first time, we are sampling for airborne microplastics at this elevation in the Swiss Alps, aiming to better understand how plastic particles are transported through the atmosphere - even to some of the most remote and seemingly pristine locations on Earth.
20.02.2025
In collaboration with Kino Riffraff, we present X Trillion – a powerful film following the renowned all-women “eXXpedition North Pacific” on their mission to uncover the unseen reality of plastic pollution in our oceans.
April 14, 2025 | 18:30 | Kino Riffraff, Zurich, get your ticket here
Followed by an exclusive Q&A session with Dr. Roman Lehner, Dr. Sylvia Frey, and Dr. Emily Duncan
12.07.2024
We are very happy to announce that researchers from the group of Dr. Francesco Pomati from the Swiss aquatic research institute Eawag will join us for the 2nd leg of our Azores expedition. We will determine in real-time the composition and relative abundances of different Plankton species in the Atlantic using the Aquascope.
2.11.2023
In the field of nanoplastic research, well-defined reference materials or mimics are needed to conduct the first studies on the uptake, distribution, detection,
identification, and quantification of nanoplastics in the environment and their possible impact on animal and human health. We hereby present a simple approach to synthesize different nanoplastics at sizes below < 100 nm in diameter!
21.08.2023
We are very happy to announce our new partnership with NOAA. Sail & Explore will help to improve and expand their global microplastics database with data provided by our globally conducted expeditions. The data will help other scientists and environmental managers better understand and manage the rapidly growing marine microplastics problem.
08.06.2023
We got broadcast on the Swiss science TV show Einstein: "Far more plastic ends up in the environment than previously thought, confirms research by the Sail & Explore Association. It is estimated that as much as 20 tons of microplastics float from rivers into the oceans every year."
09.12.2022
Swiss Ambassador Bichet-Anthamatten visited a scientific expedition led by the Sail & Explore Association in the Whitsunday Islands. The Swiss association combines sailing, science and education to take action against global plastic pollution of the oceans.
PLASTIC POLLUTION
Every year approximately 400 million tons of plastic waste are being produced which can then end up in the environment, where they become brittle and break down into micro- and nanoplastic particles.
By 2040, the amount of plastic waste entering aquatic ecosystems could nearly triple from 9-14 million tons per year to an estimated 23-37 million tons per year.
The 2017 United Nations Clean Seas Campaign estimated that 51 trillion microplastic particles are floating in our oceans. But exact numbers on the prevalence of smaller-sized microplastics (below 0.3 mm) and their potential impact on the environment are missing.
our science
In collaboration with international scientific partners, our research focuses on aquatic field studies across diverse environments, ranging from marine ecosystems to high-altitude freshwater lakes, to investigate the potential impacts of microplastic particles on human health. To support these investigations, we are fabricating novel micro- and nanoplastic particles derived from food packaging and pharmaceutical materials in collaboration with the University of Bern. These particles are functionalized with detectable molecular markers, enabling their use as benchmark materials for contamination studies.
Our Science
Expeditions
Take action and be part of one of our scientific expeditions, explore new areas, test new technical developments and methods for plastic sampling, and actively participate in the data collection on invisible microplastics (< 0.3 mm). Meet and get educated by researchers on the boat, get daily lectures, and learn how to sail or improve your existing sailing skills.
The data gathered during each expedition is published in peer-reviewed scientific journals to make new knowledge visible, educate people, raise awareness, and support policymakers.
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