Tracking Pollution: Enhancing Laboratory Detection Capabilities

How do we know if the seafood we eat is safe or if our marine environment has been affected by pollution?

Behind the scenes, that responsibility often falls to scientists and laboratories equipped to detect contaminants that aren’t visible to the naked eye.

In January 2026, the IMA took a significant step in strengthening this capability through specialised training in advanced laboratory techniques used to detect pollutants in marine environments.

The training, supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), focused on the use of Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) a method that helps scientists isolate and identify harmful substances in water, sediments, and marine organisms such as fish, shrimp and oysters.

While the name may sound technical, the purpose is straightforward: improving the accuracy of how we detect pollution and monitor environmental health.

Members of the Environmental Quality Programme’s technical team received both theoretical and hands-on training, guided by international expert Dr. Yan Aminott of IFREMER, a leading marine science research institute in France. The sessions covered everything from preparing samples to operating and maintaining specialised equipment, ensuring that results are reliable and meet international standards.

This kind of training strengthens the IMA’s ability to test for substances such as hydrocarbons pollutants often associated with oil and industrial activity. Detecting these compounds is critical for understanding the impact of oil spills, monitoring seafood safety, and assessing the overall health of marine ecosystems.

For the public, this work may not always be visible, but its impact is far-reaching.

It helps ensure that seafood is safe to consume, supports environmental decision-making, and contributes to the protection of coastal areas that communities rely on for recreation and livelihoods.

By building local expertise and improving laboratory capacity, the IMA is better equipped to respond to environmental challenges and safeguard the country’s marine resources.