# #182 Tracking the Invisible Flood: Dr Scott Wilson on Microplastics and the Power of Citizen Science Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/citizen-science-show-5309056/182-tracking-the-invisible-flood-dr-scott-wilson-on-microplastics-and-the-power-of-citizen-science Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/citizen-science-show-5309056/182-tracking-the-invisible-flood-dr-scott-wilson-on-microplastics-and-the-power-of-citizen-science.md Podcast: [Citizen Science Show](https://stenobird.com/podcast/citizen-science-show-5309056) Published: 2026-07-27T10:18:55+00:00 Episode link: https://www.ausmap.org/ Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/61f9b731e619e20012dedf17/e/6a6730699416c3326b707700/media.mp3 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/citizen-science-show-5309056/episodes/182-tracking-the-invisible-flood-dr-scott-wilson-on-microplastics-and-the-power-of-citizen-science Duration seconds: 2196 ## Resource Microplastics are everywhere, in our waterways, our food, and now, our bloodstreams, yet almost entirely invisible to the naked eye. In this episode, Sarah talks with toxicologist Dr Scott Wilson, research director of AUSMAP (the Australian Microplastic Assessment Project), about what plastic actually is, why "degradable" packaging is a greenwashing trap, and how bioaccumulation and biomagnification carry plastic particles up the food chain and into our bodies. Scott shares AUSMAP's citizen science model, which has trained over 1,300 volunteers to track microplastic pollution at hundreds of sites nationally, including some confronting news about Bondi Beach, and explains how that data is already shaping national policy and international treaty negotiations. It's a sobering picture, but one with a clear, hopeful message: everyday choices and community science really can drive change. More Information https://www.ausmap.org/ https://www.implasticfree.com/ https://www.beatthemicrobead.org/ https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution If you enjoy this podcast, please like and subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts. Leave us a review and share this show with your friends. It really helps us to reach more citizen scientists, like you. Contact the Show We are always looking for more guests to tell us about interesting citizen science projects, research and events. You can email us at: info@citizenscienceshow.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/citizen-science-show-5309056/episodes/182-tracking-the-invisible-flood-dr-scott-wilson-on-microplastics-and-the-power-of-citizen-science/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/citizen-science-show-5309056/182-tracking-the-invisible-flood-dr-scott-wilson-on-microplastics-and-the-power-of-citizen-science.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.