From Field to Lab: Tracking Microplastics in the Gironde Estuary

After completing our field campaigns in the Gironde Estuary, several PLASTINEST members have moved on to lab-based analysis, where we have begun analyzing collected microplastic samples using Raman spectroscopy. We’re pleased to welcome Camille Lam-Detrait, a Master 2 student from SeaTech, who will work closely with Vania on particle identification and characterization, in collaboration with Sophie Lecomte and Sandrine Villette from CBMN laboratory, who have kindly welcomed us into their lab.

Camille will also analyze trends in particle types and concentrations by integrating field hydrodynamic data with Betty and Isabel, with the goal of identifying key transport processes and spatio-temporal patterns in microplastic distribution. This collaborative effort bridges field observations and laboratory analytics to advance our understanding of microplastic dynamics in estuarine systems.