Up to 14,000 tons of plastic end up in Swiss soil and water every year. Initial studies carried out in Swiss lakes and rivers showed that microplastics were found in each of the examined water and sediment samples.More recent studies have even shown the presence of microplastics in snowfall in Swiss mountain regions, which would be an indicator of atmospheric transport and subsequent microplastic deposition.

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​The aim of this study is to provide the first detailed evidence of microplastics (> 0.1mm) in the waters of the Upper Engadine at 1820 meters above sea level.

In general, studies on microplastic measurements are carried out as time-limited measurements (snapshots). ​Therefore, for our study, samples are taken weekly at the same locations for a period of two months in order to obtain the most accurate picture possible with regard to the occurrence, quantity, size and type of the microplastic. This planned project will be the first Alpine study of its kind, serving to track the changes in microplastic presence in Alpine waters over a period of time.

Brothers,
daedalus & elphinstone 
& Marsa abu dabbab

red sea, Egypt
05. - 12. may

The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between the continents of Africa and Asia. It is renowned for its abundant and colorful coral reefs and remote seamounts that attract large marine megafauna, such as sharks. This shark and ray expedition along the Marine Parks Route (Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone Reef) combines extraordinary diving with lectures and citizen science. 

This expedition is a collaboration with the Red Sea Project. We will collect identification pictures of marine megafauna to support scientific research and help improve local conservation measures. 

ligurian-tyrrhenian sea
leg1: 04. - 11. june 
leg2: 18. - 25. June 

The Mediterranean Sea is highly exposed to tourism activities, maritime routes and urbanized coastal areas which can increase marine debris. Today about 320 million tourists spend their holidays at the Mediterranean Sea annually. This tourism creates a 40% increase in marine litter during the summer period above and beyond the 208-760 kg of solid urban waste produced annually by the 150 million people living by the Mediterranean basin.

The aim of this expedition is to collect data on a ten years scale to evaluate and monitor if there are any changes which can be detected with regard to the quantity and spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics found in the Ligurian-Tyrrhenian Sea (near Olbia-Elba-Genoa). 

azores
leg1: 20. - 27. august 
leg2: 27. aug - 3. sept 

The Azores are a remote group of islands in the Atlantic and at the very end of the North Atlantic Gyre. Enter an untouched paradise also considered as the hidden jewels of Portugal with breathtaking views and an amazing underwater marine life. However, this amazingly beautiful spot on our planet is highly affected by the plastic pollution problem.

Together with the team of the marine biologist Dr. Christopher Pham, we are conducting surveys since 2019 to allow us to predict and monitor the amount of microplastics in this remote area to obtain the most accurate picture possible, about the quantity and composition of the materials found.

aeolian islands
leg1: 24.Sep - 01. Oct 
leg2: 01.oct - 08. OCT 

The Aeolians, seven islands, each with its own unique identity but all having the same volcanic origin and named after the god of wind Aeolus, are located off the northern coast of Sicily. Situated in the Tyrrhenian Sea, this area however is still almost unexplored in terms of the amount of plastic floating in the surrounding sea. 

Together with the team of marine biologist Dr. Teresa Romeo, we are conducting this follow-up survey after our first study in 2021. The Mediterranean sea is the most polluted sea worldwide regarding microplastic. This expedition will allow us to predict and monitor the amount of microplastics around this unique and astonishing archipelago, to obtain the most accurate picture possible, about the quantity and composition of the materials found.

whitsunday islands
leg1: 07. - 13. November
leg2: 14. - 20. November

The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is the world's largest and longest coral reef system and marine protected area. The Whitsunday Islands are a collection of 74 islands off the central coast of Queensland including the spectacular bright white sands of Whitehaven Beach belonging to the GBR.

Together with the team of Dr. Khay Fong, we are conducting this follow-up survey after our pilot study in 2020 trying to understand how small is the big problem? With a modified manta trawl system we will be able to predict and monitor the exact number of microplastics in this conservation area down to a size of 50 micrometers​

azores
leg1: 19. - 26. august 
leg2: 26. aug - 2. sept 

The Azores are a remote group of islands in the Atlantic and at the very end of the North Atlantic Gyre. Enter an untouched paradise also considered as the hidden jewels of Portugal with breathtaking views and an amazing underwater marine life. However, this amazingly beautiful spot on our planet is highly affected by the plastic pollution problem.

Together with the team of the marine biologist Dr. Christopher Pham, we are conducting surveys since 2019 to allow us to predict and monitor the amount of microplastics in this remote area to obtain the most accurate picture possible, about the quantity and composition of the materials found.