CEFAS23-127 Contract for provision of micro-FTIR instruments for the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP)

Cefas require provision of fully motorised micro-FTIRs in order to carry out analysis on microplastics particles under the OCPP.

The Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) is one of a series of projects funded through the Blue Planet Fund., The OCPP will develop Technical Assistance partnerships with a selection of ODA eligible partner countries.

The OCPP will incorporate and expand on the UK's existing programming and partnership work, for example the Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP) to continue transformative work on marine litter, as well as bringing in activities to tackle other forms of marine pollution, biodiversity, and sustainable seafood challenges.

Through addressing the above marine challenges, the OCPP hopes to ensure seafood produced and distributed in ways which support healthy ecosystems, do not overexploit marine stocks, provide sustainable inclusive and equitable livelihoods and enhance resilience to climate and socioeconomic shocks.

There is a growing concern about the widespread occurrence and abundance of microplastics (particles below 5 mm in size) and their unknown environmental effects. To date, there are no widely accepted protocols for the extraction and detection of microplastics in environmental compartments (sediment, biota and water). Cefas has developed a fast screening method for microplastics in environmental compartments in Sri Lanka but is currently lacking the capability for particle characterisation for the smaller sized items (below 300 um in size). This capability is required for the accurate investigation in microplastic concentrations and composition that is essential to assess their behaviour in the environment and the risks for biota and human health related to exposure.

As a result, the marine litter team at Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory have awarded a Contract to supply 3 fully motorised micro-FTIRs in order to carry out analysis on microplastics particles. The units will be housed in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and therefore the supplier will provide in-person installation and training. The main objective is the quantification and characterisation of particles on filters (extracted from sediment, biota and water samples) quickly, efficiently and accurately.

Cefas may require further micro-FTIR units for other locations under this programme of work and this Contract will cover provision of additional units up to a total Contract value of £500,000.