A specialist from the National Environmental Agency participated in an international training on microplastics monitoring
Elene Bezhanidze, a specialist at the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Biodiversity of the National Environmental Agency, attended a training course titled "Strategies and Planning for Microplastic Monitoring Programs," organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Kotor, Montenegro.
The objective of the training was to develop capabilities for monitoring microplastics utilizing nuclear and advanced analytical technologies and to improve the management of freshwater and marine ecosystems.
During the program, participants gained theoretical and practical knowledge regarding the sampling and processing of seawater and coastal sand, the analysis of microplastics, and the application of modern analytical methods. Particular emphasis was placed on techniques that enable the identification of the polymer composition of plastic particles.
A key focus of the training was the harmonization of microplastic monitoring methods, ensuring data reliability, and facilitating the comparability of results obtained across different countries. Participation in the international program will contribute to deepening the professional knowledge of a specialist from the National Environmental Agency, as well as to the introduction and application of modern analytical methods in environmental research. This is particularly significant for the development of marine environmental monitoring in Georgia and for the protection of the Black Sea ecosystem.
