The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has partnered with Ecuador to establish a microplastics monitoring center in the Galapagos Islands to analyze seawater and sand samples through nuclear derivatization techniques. About six tons of overseas plastic waste wash ashore in the archipelago each year, threatening unique biodiversity. While traditional monitoring methods have struggled to collect data effectively due to the size of the microplastics, the new center will use advanced technology to generate high-quality data that will be linked to a global monitoring network to inform policy development. In addition, IAEA is promoting research and development of plastic recycling technologies to reduce the amount of plastic entering the oceans at the source.
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