The CLEAR-WATER project will develop, test and validate harmonised approaches to aquatic litter monitoring across Europe's waters - from groundwater, lakes and rivers to coastlines, the sea surface and the seabed. It will cover all litter sizes, from large waste items to microplastics and nanoplastics.
Aquatic litter is found throughout Europe’s waters, yet monitoring methods, sampling practices and reporting still vary between countries, regions and environments. The resulting evidence is often difficult to compare or combine, limiting Europe's ability to assess litter pollution consistently and target action effectively.
CLEAR-WATER will bring together researchers, monitoring authorities, technology specialists, policymakers and citizen science networks to define what should be measured,, where, when and how. By improving and testing methods under real conditions, the project will make aquatic litter data more reliable, comparable and useful for assessment and policy.
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