MicroFish Project Impact

FAM Foundation
Mar 26
3 min read

Updated: Jul 10

To safeguard marine ecosystems and raise awareness about pollution, a groundbreaking research endeavor titled MicroFish has been launched. Spearheaded by a multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Patricia Pinto and Dr. Ana Patricia Mateus, from the CCMAR - CENTRE OF MARINE SCIENCES from Algarve University, this project delves into the intricate interactions between anthropogenic microplastics, pharmaceutical micropollutants, and the marine biosphere.

Main Impacts

The MicroFish Project focuses on environmental monitoring, studying the potential interactions between microplastics and micropollutants, identifying biological impacts on marine organisms, particularly fish, and fostering citizen-science initiatives. Situated in the Algarve region, the project collaborates with local schools to promote scientific engagement and environmental stewardship.

The team boasts diverse expertise, including specialists in cell biology, histology, comparative physiology, and environmental chemistry. Collaborators range from academic institutions to industry experts, ensuring a comprehensive approach to the research.

Tracking Micropollutants in Real Time

Through five seasonal campaigns from 2024 to 2025, researchers conducted environmental monitoring across 18 locations, including wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), aquaculture sites, and coastal lagoons. Using LC-MS/MS protocols in collaboration with EPAL and Águas do Algarve, the team analyzed 29 pharmaceutical compounds (PhCs), with 17 found in measurable quantities—primarily in untreated sewage. Encouragingly, WWTPs in the region demonstrated high efficiency in removing most of these pollutants.

Detecting Microplastics and Microorganisms

The team optimized detection techniques for microplastics using micro-FTIR spectroscopy, while also launching metagenomic sequencing to profile microbial diversity and resistance genes. Over 50 million genetic sequences were analyzed, revealing critical insights into the removal of human-associated microorganisms and the potential for long-term environmental biobanks.

Impact on Marine Life: From Bioassays to In Vivo Trials

Biological impact assessments included bioassays with Artemia sp. and in vivo experiments on juvenile sea bream, evaluating the physiological effects of carbamazepine—a persistent pharmaceutical compound—alone and in combination with nanoplastics. These experiments offer a deeper understanding of how marine organisms respond to complex pollutant mixtures.

Education and Citizen Science

Beyond scientific research, MicroFish strongly invested in ocean literacy and citizen engagement. More than 50 students from Algarve schools participated in building robotic tools, conducting water sampling, and co-creating scientific content. A cartoon book and interactive educational materials will be distributed across schools to foster environmental awareness among young learners.

Shaping Policy and International Cooperation

The project also reinforced Portugal’s role in international scientific policy through contributions to the EUROMARINE, TransOcean, and MAPPED networks. Scientific articles are in press, and MicroFish has directly supported the development of emerging monitoring standards for marine micropollutants.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The MicroFish project aligns directly with multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reinforcing FAM Foundation’s strategic commitment to funding science-based solutions with social and ecological relevance. The key SDGs addressed include:

SDG 14 – Life Below Water: MicroFish directly supports the protection of marine biodiversity through the study of pollution impacts on fish and other organisms, promoting healthier marine ecosystems in vulnerable coastal areas.
SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation: By monitoring micropollutants and pharmaceuticals in wastewater and coastal systems, the project contributes to improving water quality and identifying risks to aquatic life and human health.
SDG 4 – Quality Education: Through its robust ocean literacy and youth engagement component, MicroFish fosters environmental awareness and scientific education among school-aged children, encouraging the next generation of marine scientists and sustainability leaders.
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being: By examining how pollutants affect both marine species and potentially the food chain, the project supports human health considerations in environmental decision-making.
SDG 13 – Climate Action (indirect): By building knowledge on ecosystem resilience and pollution stressors, the project provides data and frameworks that contribute to climate adaptation strategies in coastal communities.

This multidimensional alignment highlights the project’s contribution not only to scientific advancement but also to broader sustainable development and ocean governance goals.

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The MicroFish project exemplifies how cutting-edge science, education, and environmental stewardship can converge to address invisible yet critical threats to our oceans.

FAM Foundation is committed with the sustainable development goals, MicroFish project impact the following SGD's.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.