A survey for nurdles (industrial plastic pellets) on a beach or shoreline is a relatively easy and inexpensive way to monitor microplastics pollution.

Lead image: Nurdles, by hockadilly, CC BY SA

Purpose of a nurdle survey

• Identify and count nurdles over a period of time at a particular location.
• Gain awareness of local nurdle pollution, report counts to government agencies, report counts to organizations mapping community-sourced data on nurdle pollution.
• Using mapped data, compare nurdle pollution in different regions and potentially correlate high concentrations of nurdles to an industrial source.
  

Groups organizing nurdle surveys

• Nurdle Patrol on the US Gulf Coast published methods for a 10-minute nurdle survey (see details below), provides an online reporting form for community members to submit data, and has a map showing submitted nurdle counts.
• Great Nurdle Hunt organized out of the UK outlines a variable-time nurdle survey, plus tips, suggested equipment, a nurdle ID sheet, and data collection form. They also have a map showing nurdle counts worldwide.

If you know of other groups organizing nurdle surveys, please add them to the list!

Nurdle survey activities

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