Plastic debris is now a major source of anthropogenic pollution with >5 trillion fragments of micro-plastic in the world's oceans, and can lead to deleterious and often fatal consequences when ingested by seabirds and other marine animals, including hormonal disruption, chemical toxicity, or obstruction of digestive tract. In this action we propose to develop a standard method for characterisation of plastic fragments in the environment, using a combination of micro-CT scanning and FTIR, Raman spectroscopy to measure both physical parameters (size, shape, surface area) and chemical properties (primary polymers, additives, etc.) of individual fragments. We intend to apply the developed methodology to an existing collection of >10,000 plastic fragments extracted from living and dead seabirds over 10 years, and identify which properties of ingested plastics are associated with the greatest negative impact on seabird physiology and health outcomes. Analysis of preserved seabirds from spirit collections will provide historical context for the onset and rise of plastic contamination in seabirds over recent decades. The effect of environmental aging on plastics will be investigated by laboratory studies of several industrial polymers that comprise a major fraction of marine plastic pollution, identifying the spectroscopic signature of photo-chemical degradation under ambient marine conditions and in the acidic environment of seabird stomachs. With the increasingly ubiquitous presence of plastic debris in the environment, it is more important than ever that we understand the precise mechanisms by which that debris negatively impacts marine life so that we may mitigate those effects.

Since 2010 NHM has successfully delivered four consecutive European Researchers’ Nights with increasing public participation and engagement year after year. NHM NIGHT5 aims to build on this experience to aid the delivery of at least five captivating events across the UK. NHM NIGHT5 aims to: • actively breakdown existing public stereotypes of researchers • drive home to the public an awareness of the role and value of science • inspire the next generation of young researchers and demonstrate the varied roles and careers open within science NHM has an outstanding record in public outreach programmes and this will be the largest effort of this kind that NHM has undertaken to-date. More than 18,500 participants will be greeted by over 500 researchers and PhD students delivering 250 different engaging activities and formats alongside 50 professional educators in a fun and stimulating atmosphere. With an estimated 150,000 researcher/public interactions taking place over two years, the impact on participants is expected to be profound, and at a reduced spend (compared to ERN2013) per head of €15.29 in 2014 dropping to €14 for an expanded programme in 2015 represents excellent value in fostering a long-term public engagement with science. Reinvigorated with a wider national element extended to include Manchester in 2015 the awareness campaign will ensure mass participation and a broader awareness of the NHM NIGHT5 project as well as the ERN across Europe with an audience reach of 34 million.