Dr. Anne Marie Mahon:

We have some synergy as regards assessing microplastics in groundwater, which is difficult to do. Teagasc has some bore holes that it uses to measure phosphorous and nutrient pollution. We have a link with it but, because a high volume of water is needed, we must wait for an opportunity, for example, heavy rainfall.

In terms of the cores, we and our partners in UCD have the equipment for taking cores. We are specific about the number of replicates and where they are taken to get the best information, so we rather that this be carried out independently.

We have had some interactions with local authorities. In 2015, we were able to take samples from wastewater treatment plants and get some idea of what was coming in and going out. Now, however, we are subject to Irish Water approval. We have just completed an agreement that gives us permission to enter the wastewater treatment plant system. That is planned for the coming year of our three-year project, which started two years ago.