The LaHave River Estuary is about to get a good cleaning.
Bluenose Coastal Action Foundation is receiving funding from Environment Canada for a three year Atlantic Canada Microplastic Research Project.
The project will address the issue of plastic in the ocean.
Ariel Smith with the Foundation says over time the plastic breaks down into microplastic.
“Microplastics kind of come in all forms, but marine debris is a bigger issue,” she says.
“It’s really focused on plastics because it’s so durable and lasts in the environment for so long.”
Their Atlantic Canada Microplastic Research Project is being funding by Environment Canada.
Over three years they will study the Bay of Fundy, The Bay of Islands and The LaHave River Estuary.
Smith says samples will be collected from the surface of the water, where most microplastic is found.
They will also study sediment at the bottom of the river.
Once the data is collected, the Foundation will present their findings to the scientific community at an international workshop.
