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Friday, 23 January 2015. The ships taking part in the will help to gather data for a project on measuring the concentration of micro-plastics in marine waters, involving , and , the spin-off of the IQS-URL . This is an unprecedented partnership between the world of sailing and the scientific community, which began three years ago and has been performed during the current edition of the Barcelona World Race.

Micro-plastics are particles that have a very negative effect on the life cycle of many species that ingest them and require special detectors to be located.

GEMAT has designed the whole analytical and sampling system and Sailing Technologies, with its experience in the top level sailing competition sector, has created the entire data management and geolocation system and other parameters relevant to achieving the project.

The vessel One Planet, One Ocean & Pharmaton from the team of the which organises the Barcelona World Race, has one of these devices for measuring the level of micro-plastics in seawater. The equipment comprises a system of filters and test tubes that collect and measure the particles and obtain data that will later be analysed.

The project, which has a significant educational environmental awareness component, is coordinated by the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC-UNESCO) and led by chemical engineer , from . It also enjoys the support of the of the and FNOB.

The project to measure the concentration of micro-plastics is one of the involving vessels in the Barcelona World Race 2014/15 and prestigious universities and research institutions.

More information:
Marta Tena
IQS-URL Director of Communications
Tel. 932 672 000 | marta.tena@iqs.edu