Research

Algalita is moving full speed ahead on several research projects which will shed light on one of the most under-recognized yet ubiquitous issues facing our planet; plastic debris in our oceans and the biological impact of plastics on marine life and the human food chain.

The TARA Foundation for Marine Research and Algalita launched a new voyage of discovery late 2010.  Recently, TARA has concluded their voyage through the Antarctic Ocean, as part of its three year scientific expedition.  During this leg of the voyage scientists gathered samples of material filtered from the Antarctic Ocean which have been analyzed by the Algalita Marine Research Foundation for plastic content.

View the Algalita/Tara Press Release here >>

View Antarctic data summary here >>



Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ>>

Recent Voyages


2011 North Pacific Gyre Voyage>>

5 Gyres Expeditions >>
Mapping Plastic Pollution >>
2009 Pacific Exploration >>

Research & Analysis

Quantity and type of plastic debris flowing from two urban rivers to coastal water and beaches of Southern California >>

Plastic Ingestion by Planktivorous Fishes in the North Pacific Central Gyre >> 

North Pacific Gyre Plankton Sample Analysis '07-'08 >>
Biological Impact Study of Pollutants Attached to Plastic (BISPAP) >>
General Plastic Quantification >>
Pelagic Plastics >>
S.E.A. Lab >>

 

 

North Pacific Gyre Map-Sampling area from 1999-2009

 

Past Projects

Past Project Spotlight: The Plastic Debris, Rivers to Sea Project: Assessing Land Based Discharges of Marine Debris. This project was a HUGE step towards a) understanding the sources of plastic marine debris from land and b) changing the industry and municipal practices that result in debris release into our oceans. Read more>>

Check out our Research Archives >>

Above: Capt. Moore removes debris from the NPSG.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plastic Pollution and the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre

Find the answers to some of the most common questons about plastic pollution and the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. Read our FAQs page >>.

Download our informative abstracts and brochures:

Seabird Conference Abstract

Download the Abstract by Holly Gray and Gwen Lattin from the recent Seabird Conference in Canada.

Plastic Debris Brochure

Download our informative brochure Plastic Debris from Rivers to Sea.

Plastics Are Forever Brochure

Download our informative brochure Plastics Are Forever.

Research Papers

Check out our Research Papers Archive

Research Papers for Download

Posters and Presentations for Download

Published Research list

The Published Research list contains a list of all the written material that AMRF currently has in their library for public viewing. In the first two sections of the document, these publications can be mailed to you via an email or phone request. For U.S. mail copies there is a fee of $1 per document and postage and handling fee of $5.00.

Other Resources

Bisphenol-A Fact Sheet

Learn more about the uses of BPA and it's effects on human health. Download the PDF>>