Sources, Sinks and Solutions for Impacts of Plastics on Coastal Communities in Viet Nam
Lead Research Organisation:
Heriot-Watt University
Department Name: Sch of Energy, Geosci, Infrast & Society
Abstract
The 3SIP2C project is focused on quantifying the types and amount of plastic waste entering the coastal margin of Vietnam, and understanding the pathways and destination of that plastic into the wider environment and marine life, and how this plastic impacts upon business activities such as aquaculture, fisheries, tourism and coastal communities. Vietnam's 3260 km coastline stretches across 28 coastal provinces and supports rural livelihoods that are engaged in coastal tourism, fisheries and aquaculture industries that are between them worth more than US$17 billion per year. These industries are themselves contributors to the plastic waste problem, but are also impacted by that waste, such that it represents a risk to civil society and business performance, health and safety.
Our project will focus on plastic waste comprised of large (>50 mm), macro- (5 - 50 mm) and micro-plastics (<5 mm). The project is organised into five work packages, with Capacity Building and Engagement acting as the unifying theme throughout our proposed science, policy and governance programme. Our work packages flow from a fundamental understanding of the physical processes that transport plastics into coastal areas using 3 dimensional particle tracking models that account for seasonal changes in transport processes, and that account for the effects of tides, waves and freshwater inundation on these processes. We will couple this with a broadscale sampling strategy designed to gain insight into the characteristics and quantities of those plastics and the contaminants that are transported into the coastal system. This will be linked to a work package focused primarily on understanding the impacts and causes of large plastics on businesses and civil society associated with coastal communities, which will involve engaging citizens in collection of data on the distribution of large plastic through 'fishing for plastic' and the use of App technology. We take a deeper dive into the pathways by which macro and micro-plastics interact with the environment and interact with organisms, particularly those relevant to businesses such as fisheries and aquaculture. We will use experiments to understand how those plastics and their associated contaminants relate to health and disease threats in e.g. coastal aquaculture systems. We will interrogate the existing national and international legislations and policies that address the issue of plastics in supply chains and investigate where shortcomings in the integration of policies leads to shortfalls in their successful implementation. Finally, using a broad suite of techniques such as discourse analysis, focus groups, round-table discussions, gamification and citizen science, we will greatly increase awareness of the issues associated with plastic pollution and the effective solutions that could reduce its occurrence or its impacts on society. This engagement will interface with citizens at local, regional and national levels, and with managers and Government officials in relevant ministries. This proposal is ambitious with a multidisciplinary team from 8 research institutions and 7 partners in Vietnam covering all regions of the coastline, and HWU in the UK. Our engagement, impact and delivery are further strengthened by strategic partnerships with the wider non-academic collaborations through retailers (The Cooperative, UK; Sainsbury's), major seafood importers and processors (Labeyrie Fine Foods - Lyons Seafood) and a Vietnamese business consortium (IDH-Vietnam) and Vietnamese NGOs Centre for Marine Life, Conservation & Community Development (MCD), and global NGOs the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) and Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA). These partners provide the necessary access, expertise and impact translation to realise potential solutions that deliver demonstrable reductions in the causes and consequences of plastic waste in the environment.
Our project will focus on plastic waste comprised of large (>50 mm), macro- (5 - 50 mm) and micro-plastics (<5 mm). The project is organised into five work packages, with Capacity Building and Engagement acting as the unifying theme throughout our proposed science, policy and governance programme. Our work packages flow from a fundamental understanding of the physical processes that transport plastics into coastal areas using 3 dimensional particle tracking models that account for seasonal changes in transport processes, and that account for the effects of tides, waves and freshwater inundation on these processes. We will couple this with a broadscale sampling strategy designed to gain insight into the characteristics and quantities of those plastics and the contaminants that are transported into the coastal system. This will be linked to a work package focused primarily on understanding the impacts and causes of large plastics on businesses and civil society associated with coastal communities, which will involve engaging citizens in collection of data on the distribution of large plastic through 'fishing for plastic' and the use of App technology. We take a deeper dive into the pathways by which macro and micro-plastics interact with the environment and interact with organisms, particularly those relevant to businesses such as fisheries and aquaculture. We will use experiments to understand how those plastics and their associated contaminants relate to health and disease threats in e.g. coastal aquaculture systems. We will interrogate the existing national and international legislations and policies that address the issue of plastics in supply chains and investigate where shortcomings in the integration of policies leads to shortfalls in their successful implementation. Finally, using a broad suite of techniques such as discourse analysis, focus groups, round-table discussions, gamification and citizen science, we will greatly increase awareness of the issues associated with plastic pollution and the effective solutions that could reduce its occurrence or its impacts on society. This engagement will interface with citizens at local, regional and national levels, and with managers and Government officials in relevant ministries. This proposal is ambitious with a multidisciplinary team from 8 research institutions and 7 partners in Vietnam covering all regions of the coastline, and HWU in the UK. Our engagement, impact and delivery are further strengthened by strategic partnerships with the wider non-academic collaborations through retailers (The Cooperative, UK; Sainsbury's), major seafood importers and processors (Labeyrie Fine Foods - Lyons Seafood) and a Vietnamese business consortium (IDH-Vietnam) and Vietnamese NGOs Centre for Marine Life, Conservation & Community Development (MCD), and global NGOs the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) and Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA). These partners provide the necessary access, expertise and impact translation to realise potential solutions that deliver demonstrable reductions in the causes and consequences of plastic waste in the environment.
Organisations
- Heriot-Watt University (Lead Research Organisation)
- Hanoi University (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) (Collaboration)
- Mekong Development Research Institute (Project Partner)
- Marinelife Conserv & Community Dev (MCD) (Project Partner)
- Sainsbury's (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- The Global Aquaculture Alliance (Project Partner)
- IDH Vietnam (Project Partner)
- Vietnam Fisheries Society (VINAFIS) (Project Partner)
- Co-operative Group Limited (Project Partner)
- Vietnam Directorate of Fisheries (Project Partner)
- Lyons Seafoods (Project Partner)
- Vietnam Inst of Sea and Islands (VISI) (Project Partner)
Publications
Liao Z
(2023)
Unified analytical solution for group-induced infragravity waves based on Green's function
in Journal of Fluid Mechanics
Cong X
(2023)
Experimental study on the morphodynamic evolution of sandbar-lagoon system with emergent vegetation
in Coastal Engineering
Kuang C
(2023)
Effect of Wind-Wave-Current Interaction on Oil Spill in the Yangtze River Estuary
in Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
Liu Y
(2023)
Fully nonlinear investigation on energy transfer between long waves and short-wave groups over a reef
in Coastal Engineering
Song B
(2023)
Coupled stability of offshore wind monopile foundations and submarine slopes under periodic loads
in Applied Ocean Research
Fan J
(2023)
Impact of Artificial Islands and Reefs on Water Quality in Jinmeng Bay, China
in Water
Wang J
(2022)
A Simple Model for a Fast Forewarning System of Brown Tide in the Coastal Waters of Qinhuangdao in the Bohai Sea, China
in Applied Sciences
Long Z
(2022)
Anthropocene microplastic stratigraphy of Xiamen Bay, China: A history of plastic production and waste management.
in Water research
Title | 3D map Cat Ba Island |
Description | 3D model map of Cat Ba Island for use in community engagement projects |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Impact | This exercise was used in part as a team building and information exercise for students of Viet Nam National University. The model was and is being used in community engagement exercises to gather local ecological knowledge to inform modelling and other parts of the project. |
Description | The project incurred considerable delay in starting due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the withdrawal of funds from the ODA. The project funding came back on stream in January 2022. Vietnam did not reopen its borders until April 2022 whereupon we were able to initiate our first visit to Viet Nam. Field work commenced in October 2022 with extensive environmental sampling of the Red River and coastal regions in the north of Viet Nam. Extensive outreach with local communities, student bodies, Government officials, and coastal businesses has occurred through workshops, focus groups and activities such as beach cleans and community mapping of plastic waste. As part of our environmental sampling we have tested the effectiveness of different techniques for sampling reliably microplastics in aquatic environments. This has led to important conclusions for field sampling methodology. Our initial engagement with communities has also revealed a number of interesting observations. Nevertheless we are still at the early stages of our field work and the second field trip is currently on-going at this time. Our conclusions relating to environmental sampling of microplastic demonstrate that using a pump system to sample water at different heights in river systems out performs the use of different net devices. This relates to the consistency of sample efficiency of the pump system in contrast to the different catchabilities of different net systems that are used at different heights in the river. We anticipate being able to publish a methodology paper based on these findings and will adopt the more consistent pump system moving forward. Initial observations that arise from community engagement point to the following conclusions. Firstly, it is clear that many people in Viet Nam society have no concept that plastic is problematic either for the environment or themselves. This indicates that education about the consequences of plastic waste is an important aspect of helping the Government deliver its policy agenda on plastic waste reduction. Government policies are implemented in different ways depending on the local context. This underlines that a single approach to solve environmental problems may not be appropriate and will need to adapt depending on what works best within a local context. There is considerable investment made by local communities in Cat Ba (a tourism hotspot) to combat the occurrence and impact of plastic to reduce damage to the local economy. Infrastructure remains a key limiting factor in recycling or disposing of collected plastic waste. The environmental sampling has proved more time consuming than originally anticipated and we have collectively decided to prioritize the Red River Delta, Nam Dinh province and Cat Ba Island for this sampling and will review whether we can add in the Mekong Delta by summer 2023. Social science and engagement activities will continue to be undertaken across all sample locations. |
Exploitation Route | It remains too early in the project's active phase to be clear what the ultimate outcomes of the funding will be. |
Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Environment,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Government, Democracy and Justice |
Description | Building a local sustainable supply chain network for recyclable material in medium sized cities in SE Asia |
Amount | £19,975 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 1736 |
Organisation | Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2022 |
End | 06/2024 |
Title | In-situ experimental setup for investigating microplastics as carriers of pathogens, as well as their degradation and biofilm formation |
Description | Crab cages have been adapted to conduct microplastics experiments in-situ whereby they will house several cylindrical metallic containers constructed using high-spec marine-grade metal mesh at defined pore sizes to hold microplastic particles of sizes 125 um to <5 mm. This setup will deployed at pre-defined marine locations to determine the fate of microplastics of different polymer types, including some of the most commonly found types found in Southeast Asia, including polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The deployments will be positioned at different depths in the water column and near aquaculture farms to assess the potential of the microplastics as carriers/vectors of pathogens as one of the main objectives. |
Type Of Material | Biological samples |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | This in-situ setup has already been trialed and tested on the east coast of Scotland and is now destined to be deployed during a field trip in Vietnam this April/May 2023. |
Title | Feb-Mar 2023 field sample collection in VN |
Description | This is a list of water and sediment samples, and how they were initially processed and stored, during a month-long sampling campaign in river, estuarine and coastal margins in east Viet Nam during February to March of 2023. The samples will be used for a variety of analyses that will examine the microbiology in waterways and sediments (polluted vs non-polluted) and associated with microplastics, as well as to analyse various geochemical parameters (e.g. DOM). |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This set of samples is currently being expanded as the field trip is still ongoing. The impacts of this will be realised after the field trip comes to an end and the samples are analysed using a variety of microbial, molecular biology and geochemical methods. |
Description | Collaboration with Can Tho University - Ha Noi and IMRE - Ha Noi and Tongji University |
Organisation | Hanoi University |
Country | Viet Nam |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Prof. Qingping Zou and Dr. Zhiling Liao meet with Dr. Thanh from Can Tho University at Hanoi to build up relationship for collaboration in terms of field sampling and research activity. Prof. Qingping Zou and Dr. Zhiling Liao meet with Dr. Vinh from IMRE at Hanoi to build up relationship for collaboration in terms of field sampling and research activity. Prof. Qingping Zou, and Dr. Zhiling Liao have met with Profs. Cuiping Kuang and Daidu Fan at Tongji University to discuss the overall project and delft 3D model input data and implementation |
Collaborator Contribution | Taking time to meet our team, committing to participate in 3SIP2C at collaborators |
Impact | Commitment to collaborate over the next 2 years. |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Heriot-Watt - ITS - Phenikaa MoU |
Organisation | Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) |
Country | Indonesia |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Heriot Watt University led a tripartite MoU agreement and used this as a platform to win £20 000 to run a lectureship series focused on the circular economy |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners have jointly participated in the lectureship series and hosted two visits by Heriot Watt University staff |
Impact | Lectureship series using on-line facilities |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | Beach clean |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Beach cleaning event in Hai Hau with Phenikaa University students and the Vietnam One Health network |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Meeting Giao Thuy people's committee |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Field survey in Nam Dinh coinciding with meeting with Giao Thuy people's committee and Xuan Thuy national park management board Attendees: 3SIP2C project members, vice president of the Giao Thuy people committee, chairmen of different communes of Giao Thuy district. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Meeting Lan Ha Bay Management Board |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Meet with the Lan Ha Bay Management Board to determine the area's main plastic waste challenges and waste management strategy. - Participatory observation and interview with waste collectors in the Lan Ha Bay area. - Attendees: 2 project members; the vice chairman and technical officer of the Lan Ha Bay Management Board; and 5 waste collectors from 2 boats collecting domestic solid waste and floating debris in the bay. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Meeting with Cat Hai people's committee |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Meeting with Cat Hai people committee, Viet Hai people committee Attendees: project members, officers from Cat Hai People committee, department of Natural resources, Cat Ba National Park officers Sharing information with local authorities about intentions of the project, seeking support, organizing visits to local study sites |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Meeting with Lan Ha Bay management board |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | - Meet with the Lan Ha Bay Management Board to determine the area's main plastic waste challenges and waste management strategy. - Participatory observation and interview with waste collectors in the Lan Ha Bay area. - Attendees: 2 project members; the vice chairman and technical officer of the Lan Ha Bay Management Board; and 5 waste collectors from 2 boats collecting domestic solid waste and floating debris in the bay. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Meeting with Xuan Thuy National Park officials |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Formal meeting to introduce the project, its aims and intentions, followed by site visit in preparation for field sampling. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Phenikaa University British Council exchange visit to Heriot Watt University |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | The 3SIP2C project co-PI Dr Ngo and the Vice President of Phenikaa University visited Heriot Watt University to explore further collaboration on research and teaching |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://twitter.com/LyellCentre/status/1585963264521175040 |
Description | Phenikaa University student workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Workshop convened at Phenikaa University with project partners to understand student perceptions of plastic and to share knowledge |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Presentation and reception UK Embassy Ha Noi |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Reception networking event and project presentation at the UK Embassy Ha Noi |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Project Youtube channel |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Youtube set up to publish our video diaries from our research and engagement activities. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/@3sip2c |
Description | Project launch ceremony |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Formal project launch and MoU signing - gave formal presentation. Vietnamese Minister for the Environment attended the event |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://ecetlab.phenikaa-uni.edu.vn/lab-news/seminars-workshop/launch-ceremony-project-3sip2c |
Description | Project launch news feature |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | TV news story broadcast |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkIxExa9TMA |
Description | Project logo competition |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | We ran a competition to design a logo for the project and use on the project website, marketing and outreach materials. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://lessplasticvietnam.com/ |
Description | Project website |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Professionally designed and maintained website (Mindfully Wired) which is bilingual with blog posts, new, science updates |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://lessplasticvietnam.com/ |
Description | Workshop at VNU-SSSH (the School of Social Sciences and Humanities) on a future with less plastic |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Organised the workshop at VNU-SSSH (the School of Social Sciences and Humanities) on a future with less plastic: exploring the path of plastic and human ecology in Vietnam Understanding student's perception about plastic and knowledge sharing |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Workshop on Extended Producer Responsibilities |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Group discussion on Extended Producer Responsibilities (EPR) and plastic waste reduction - Presentation from Department of Legal Affairs- Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) on new regulations of EPR under Law on Environmental Protection (LEP) 2020 and potential for reduction of plastic wastes - Discuss the role local communities and authorities in solid waste management - Explore roles of informal waste collectors and initiatives currently taken places Attendees: 8 project members, 10 relevant stakeholders from Department of Legal Affair-MONRE, Center for Environment and Community Research; Vietnam Women Academy; Centre for Ecological Studies, ISPONRE Learning the new regulations on EPR in Viet Nam and the implication to plastic waste reduction Understanding other projects/initiatives working on solid waste management in Viet Nam at local level Sharing the role of women in solid waste management and reducing plastic waste Learning lesson from plastic waste reduction efforts from big supermarket in Viet Nam (Zero Waste Alliance) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Workshop on Extended Producer Responsibilities |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Group discussion on Extended Producer Responsibilities (EPR) and plastic waste reduction - Presentation from Department of Legal Affairs- Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) on new regulations of EPR under Law on Environmental Protection (LEP) 2020 and potential for reduction of plastic wastes - Discuss the role local communities and authorities in solid waste management - Explore roles of informal waste collectors and initiatives currently taken places Attendees: 8 project members, 10 relevant stakeholders from Department of Legal Affair-MONRE, Center for Environment and Community Research; Vietnam Women Academy; Centre for Ecological Studies, ISPONRE Learning the new regulations on EPR in Viet Nam and the implication to plastic waste reduction Understanding other projects/initiatives working on solid waste management in Viet Nam at local level Sharing the role of women in solid waste management and reducing plastic waste Learning lesson from plastic waste reduction efforts from big supermarket in Viet Nam (Zero Waste Alliance) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Workshop on Extended Producer Responsibilities |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Group discussion on Extended Producer Responsibilities (EPR) and plastic waste reduction - Presentation from Department of Legal Affairs- Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) on new regulations of EPR under Law on Environmental Protection (LEP) 2020 and potential for reduction of plastic wastes - Discuss the role local communities and authorities in solid waste management - Explore roles of informal waste collectors and initiatives currently taken places Attendees: 8 project members, 10 relevant stakeholders from Department of Legal Affair-MONRE, Center for Environment and Community Research; Vietnam Women Academy; Centre for Ecological Studies, ISPONRE Learning the new regulations on EPR in Viet Nam and the implication to plastic waste reduction Understanding other projects/initiatives working on solid waste management in Viet Nam at local level Sharing the role of women in solid waste management and reducing plastic waste Learning lesson from plastic waste reduction efforts from big supermarket in Viet Nam (Zero Waste Alliance) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |