THE BIG MICROPLASTIC SURVEY

RECORDING FORM Your details will be held on our

secure database. We will not
Name: ______________________ Date: ___________ sell or share your details for
any purpose.
Organisation(if applicable): ____________________________

Survey Reference Number (provided with the resource pack download): ________________

Survey Site Name/Location: ____________________________________

GPS Coordinates of survey site:__________________________________

Describe the site being surveyed (e.g. soft sand, course sand, shingle interspersed with
pebbles): __________________________________________________________________

Number of volunteers undertaking the survey _______

Number of first time volunteers ___________ Number of repeat volunteers ___________

This form is intended to be used for one survey; 5 x 1m quadrats each

containing 5 x 10cm samples. Please use additional recording forms if you
are surveying more than one sample area. If you do submit more than one
form please identify each survey by adding Reference xxxxx/01, 02, 03 and so
on. If you find something that doesn’t fit any of the categories on this survey
form please add any additional comments on a separate sheet.

Nurdles

Type of Nurdles Colour Number of pieces

Round or Spherical White
Clear/Opaque
Black
Yellow
Green
Grey
Blue
Red
Other

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Copyright: The Big Microplastic Survey 2018
 Type of Nurdles Colour Number of pieces
Cylindrical White
Clear/Opaque
Black
Yellow
Green
Grey
Blue
Red
Other

Type of Nurdles Colour Number of pieces

Disk White
Clear/Opaque
Black
Yellow
Green
Grey
Blue
Red
Other

Type of Nurdles Colour Number of pieces

Cube Clear/Opaque

Other

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Copyright: The Big Microplastic Survey 2018
Bio Beads

Bio Beads Colour Number of pieces

Black

Brown or Grey

Expanded Polystyrene

Expanded Polystyrene Type Number of pieces

EPS Balls

EPS Pieces

Monofilament Fishing Line

Fishing Line Colour Number of pieces

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Copyright: The Big Microplastic Survey 2018
Polypropylene Rope

Polypropylene Rope Colour Number of pieces

Cotton Bud Sticks and Small Straws

Cotton Buds and Straws Colour Number of pieces

White
Opaque
Black
Yellow
Green
Blue
Red
Yellow
Other (specify):

Secondary Microplastics

Secondary Microplastics Colour Number of pieces

White
Clear/Opaque
Black
Yellow
Green
Grey
Blue/Purple
Red
Yellow/Orange
Brown
Other (specify):

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Copyright: The Big Microplastic Survey 2018
‘Other’ Primary Plastics (micro and meso)
Other Primary Plastics Description Colour Quantity

What’s Next?
First of all it is a big THANK YOU from us for being involved in The Big
Microplastic Survey. We hope you have enjoyed the experience and will feel
like doing more surveys in the future. If you took any photos of your survey,
or analysis please send them to us so that we can post them onto our social
media pages and recognise what you have done.

Please send us your results

Once you have completed this form(s) please send it to us by email, or post.

The email address is info@microplasticsurvey.org

The postal address is:

David Jones
The Big Microplastic Survey
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
University of Portsmouth
Burnaby Road
Portsmouth, PO1 3QL
United Kingdom

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Copyright: The Big Microplastic Survey 2018
Photographs

Photographs are a really important part of this project, so please spread your
sample out on a piece of paper, take a photograph and send it to us.
Remember to include a scale in the picture – a ruler is great but a coin will
also do. Please write the survey reference number on the piece of paper so
that we can link it with your survey form.

We want your samples

Because there are so many different types of plastic and they all have very
similar properties the only way to find out what they are is by further testing
in the laboratory. For this reason we would really like to have your samples.

If you are able to put the samples in an envelope and send them to us by post
that would be really appreciated. Unfortunately we are not in a position to
reimburse the cost of postage. Please remember to write your survey
reference number on the envelope if you do send them. If you are unable to
send the samples don’t worry, the information you have provided on the
form and pictures are extremely useful.

Finally ...

In order for this citizen science research project to be successful it relies on

volunteers. Please let your friends and colleagues know about the project
and encourage them to take part.

Many thanks once again for all of your help

Best wishes

The Big Microplastic Survey Team

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Copyright: The Big Microplastic Survey 2018