The United Nation’s Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, otherwise known as Ocean Decade, is now halfway through. Starting in 2020, the Ocean Decade aims to reverse ocean decline and foster a healthy, sustainable, and resilient marine environment. While complex global problems like marine microplastic pollution and biodiversity loss require urgent solutions, regulation and timely decision-making are hindered by outdated and unreliable equipment, sample contamination and human error often stemming from environmental sampling difficulties.
Ocean Diagnostics is an environmental impact company founded in 2019 providing technological solutions for collecting and analyzing microplastics and environmental DNA. We have since developed and commercialized automated water sampling equipment, a state-of-the-art microplastics analytical laboratory, AI-based imaging systems, and community science and education tools that help researchers and citizen scientists obtain the data needed to tackle Ocean Decade’s first and second challenges: to understand and conquer marine pollution and protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity.
Let's dive into Ocean Diagnostics' science and technology advancements.
Sampling microplastics and environmental DNA across six continents and five oceans, Ascension has expanded the boundaries of environmental science.
“The best place to look for information is going to be at depth. Ascension is really one of the only ways that we can get our hands on those deeper samples given the platforms of opportunity available to us for our projects.” – Dr. Eily Allan, University of Washington
Ocean Diagnostics operates an ISO-5 Clean microplastics analysis laboratory in Vancouver, Canada. Equipped with advanced Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), the lab delivers precise analysis for environmental water samples. With the ability to identify 20 common polymer types, even those invisible to the naked eye down to 10 microns in size, ODI supports critical research and solutions development.
Ocean Diagnostics’ microplastics laboratory has produced a microfibre pollution report and national reduction strategy, and has contributed to the most extensive microplastic pollution dataset on British Columbia shorelines.
“This work by Ocean Diagnostics and Raincoast Conservation Foundation can help contribute to identifying solutions to better manage synthetic textiles and clothing to reduce plastic waste and microfibre pollution.” Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
In response to citizen scientist requests for technology access to help collect and contribute real microplastics data, Ocean Diagnostics developed The Microplastics Community Science and Education Toolkit. Bringing microplastics science and its machine-learning-based Saturna Imaging System into classrooms around the world, ODI is empowering the next generation of environmental stewards to contribute important data and engage in solutions.
Community scientists and students in over 8 countries use the Microplastics Toolkits to collect data and spark local action!
“(The Toolkit) is fantastic for teaching and outreach and to look at baseline data. In the classroom, Saturna is an awesome mix between using a real research tool, hands-on experience and using photos for outreach.” - Anna Hippman, Simon Fraser University
Through a collaborative approach with multiple stakeholders, including government, scientists and community scientists and a passion for sustainable oceans, Ocean Diagnostics’ technology is now in four of the world’s five oceans collecting the scientific data needed to support informed decision-making to protect our oceans and, ultimately, our planet. During Ocean Decade, ODI is working with many exciting partners:
As we continue to support Ocean Decade’s commitments by providing technology to generate the reliable scientific data needed to protect the planet, upcoming projects and partnerships for 2025 include:
Ocean Diagnostics envisions global marine protected areas utilizing its technologies for continuous ocean monitoring and having the science generated to inform timely policies to reverse the impacts of and protect our ocean from plastic pollution and biodiversity loss.
Join us in harnessing innovation to protect our oceans and create a future where science drives sustainable solutions. Subscribe to our newsletter (below), contact us for more information, or follow us on social media for updates.