Microplastics (i.e., plastics measuring less than 5mm) pollution is a growing problem affecting coastal communities, marine ecosystems, aquatic life, and human health. The widespread occurrence of marine microplastics, and the need to curb its threats, require expansive, and continuous monitoring. W

From 1872 to 1876, the HMS Challenger sailed around the world studying ocean features such as ocean temperature and chemistry, wildlife, and sounding the ocean, discovering undersea features like seamounts and ocean trenches. This expedition marked the beginning of the modern study of oceanography.

The Phytoplankton Monitoring Network (PMN) is a part of the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS). The PMN was created as an outreach program to connect volunteers and professional scientists in the monitoring of marine phytoplankton and harmful algal blooms (HABs). NOAA staff train vol