About COPS

The Environmental Impact of Plastic Pollution

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), marine plastic pollution, including microplastics, has emerged as a global environmental challenge affecting aquatic ecosystems and human society. Plastic waste can persist in the environment for decades, harming marine organisms, disrupting ecosystems, and potentially entering the human food chain through contaminated seafood and water sources. Over the past decade, increasing attention from researchers, policymakers, and the public has emphasized the importance of understanding the impacts of ocean plastics and developing sustainable solutions.

Mission of COPS

Determine the plastic pollution flow from the land to oceans through rivers systems
Monitor ocean plastic pollution in estuaries and surrounding coastal waters
Model present and future distribution of plastic pollution based on global datasets
Assess the impact of plastic pollution on marine organisms and ecosystems
Contribute to the creation of action plans supporting SDG 14 "Life below water" through scientific evidence

Establishment of Collaboration with Chulalongkorn University

The Center for Ocean Plastic Studies (COPS) was established in 2022. At the same time, we started collaborative research between Kyushu University (Research Institute for Applied Mechanics) and Chulalongkorn University (Aquatic Resources Research Institute and Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science). The aims include collaborative research on ocean plastic pollution, academic activities, and the exchange of researchers between the two universities.

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