Our colleagues from MIO, Emilie Strady, Cristèle Chevalier and Marc Pagano went to Mayotte for the second PLASMA mission

The PLASMA project for "Microplastic Pollution of the Mayotte Lagoon" aims to better understand the origins of plastic pollution in the lagoon of Mayotte based on a diagnosis and analysis of local practices through measurements, modeling and participatory science. This innovative and multidisciplinary project is carried out in partnership between the M.I.O. and the Marine Natural Park of Mayotte (French Office for Biodiversity) and the University Center for Training and Research of Mayotte.
During the mission from January 28 to February 12, a series of samples taken in the lagoon, as well as sediment cores will be made. These measurements will be compared with the results of the model, currently under development. At the same time, students from two schools in Mayotte (middle and high school), supervised by an independent sociologist, Mathieu Leborgne, will conduct surveys to better understand how local residents perceive water resources and waste management and will take samples to quantify the impact of these behaviors.
The PLASMA project team will take the opportunity to give a public lecture on February 4, as well as a scientific lecture at the CUFR on Friday, February 10, entitled: Hydrodynamics, one of the drivers of the ecological functioning of lagoons: the effect of the lagoon accumulator.