Particle size

Quiz: Plastik in der Umwelt - Was wissen Sie?

Mandy — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 11:21:04 +0000

Quiz: Plastic in the Environment – What do you know? Mandy Thu, 01/14/2021 - 12:21

Titelbild

Beschreibung

When I wash a polyester fleece jacket, can microplastics get into the water? How many climate-damaging greenhouse gases are released annually due to the global production of plastics and what is chemical recycling?

Plastics are all around us and make up an essential part of our daily lives. How much do we know about this material, its variety, the associated environmental problems and possible solutions? The quiz "Plastics in the environment - What do you know?" invites you to test your knowledge around the topic of plastics in five categories. Furthermore, the category "Questions for adults & children" contains questions suited for children.

The quiz was developed within this research focus. The quiz is available on this website and is suitable for all common browsers on computers and mobile devices.

Further Links

Link zum Quiz

Year

2020

Author

Mandy Hinzmann (Content)

Janna Vakili (Content)

Lena Aebli (Design)

Prasanna Ramesh (Programming)

Authors

Type of Result

educational material

PLAWES

KALEH — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 09:29:04 +0000

PLAWES KALEH Wed, 12/20/2017 - 10:29

Microplastic Contamination in the Weser- Wadden Sea – National Park Model System: an Ecosystem-Wide Approach

In PLAWES, the modelling system of the German national park Weser-Wadden Sea was the first large European river basin that was investigated in detail regarding its microplastic pollution. PLAWES conducted a pioneering study of the microplastic contamination from the headwaters to the North Sea (northern Atlantic Ocean) that comprised an interdisciplinary and integrated ecosystem approach and accounted for various point sources (wastewater treatment plants, separation systems) and diffuse sources (drainage, atmosphere) of pollution. The results were integrated into a model for identifying primary transport mechanisms and accumulation zones. The research investigated the effects of microplastics on ecosystems in the Weser-Wadden Sea system by analysing the interaction of microplastic with pathogens in biofilm and aquatic invertebrates. Outcomes of this particularly ecologically relevant aspects were used to estimate the environmental risk of microplastics for the model system, and subsequently made it transferable to other systems. In addition, the results of the analysis became part of new teaching materials in order to provide a knowledge platform for teachers, students, and parents across Europe. PLAWES generated unique data about the effects of microplastics on a large European river basin and its environment. This is significant not only for policymakers and stakeholders but also as a fundament for science-based solutions to address the microplastics problem.

Main areas of work

Microplastics in the Weser-Wadden Sea
Model-based balancing of diffuse and point sources of microplastic entries
Interaction of microplastics with pathogens and biota
Training measures to raise awareness of plastic waste

Arbeitspakete

Work packages

WP 0 Management, communication and dissemination

Contact person
Prof. Dr. Christian Laforsch, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, e-mail: christian.laforsch@uni-bayreuth.de

Project partner
AWI

Short description
WP 0 ensured the targeted and efficient support of the consortium with regard to project management, communication and dissemination. WP 0 coordinated both the public relations work and the exploitation of the results achieved. WP 0 continued to coordinate the cooperation of all project partners and was therefore in close contact with all project partners. WP 0 coordinated the harmonisation with the joint research project MicroCatch_Balt with regard to sampling and processing, modelling, public relations, and data storage as well as communication with the other projects.

WP 1 Microplastics in the Weser-Wadden Sea model system

Contact person
Dr. Gunnar Gerdts, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Kurpromenade, 27498 Helgoland, e-mail: gunnar.gerdts@awi.de

Project partner
UBT, UOld

Short description
The aim of WP 1 was to investigate the entire Weser river system into coastal waters with regard to microplastic pollution. The final determination of the exact sampling points was carried out taking into account the real data required for RAUMISmGROWA- MePhos and "Tidal Model" (WP 3). The entire Weser including the Lower Weser and the Wadden Sea was investigated with regard to exposure to microplastic. Two campaigns were carried out at different seasons with different water conditions on the Weser.

WP 2 Entry points – point sources and diffuse entry

Contact person
Prof. Dr. Andreas Held, University of Bayreuth, BayCEER; second affiliation: Technical University of Berlin, Department of Environmental Chemistry and Air Pollution Control, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, e-mail: held@tu-berlin.de

Project partner
AWI

Short description
The aim of WP 2 was an exemplary consideration of the input paths for microplastics by investigation of important point sources such as wastewater treatment plants and separation water sewer systems as well as the diffuse input from drains and atmosphere. For this purpose, selected sampling points in the Weser river basin were characterised taking into account different landscape areas and land use types. The focus lay on quantifying the entry points of microplastics. Sampling was synchronised with the campaigns at the Weser.

WP 3 Model-based accounting of diffuse and point-shaped MP entries

Contact person
Prof. Dr. Frank Wendland, Jülich Research Centre IBG-3, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428 Jülich, e-mail: f.wendland@fz-juelich.de

Project partner
TI, NLWKN

Short description
The aim was a spatially resolved quantification of the microplastic emissions from diffuse and point sources and the identification of spatial load centres and accumulation zones within the river basin and estuary. The microplastic entries were modelled from different types of diffuse entry points and point sources. The work was based on the models mGROWA, MEPhos, RAUMIS, as well as a transport modelling considering the estuarine hydro- and sediment dynamics. Within the framework of the project, the model chain was improved in a targeted manner according to microplastic entry modelling in the inland and the further distribution of the microplastics in the lower reaches, estuary and apron.

WP 4 Interaction of microplastic with pathogens and biota

Contact person
Prof. Dr. Jörg Oehlmann, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, e-mail: oehlmann@bio.uni-frankfurt.de

Project partner
AWI, UBT, UOld

Short description
In WP 4, the ecosystem effects of microplastic on the Weser-Wadden Sea model system were described on the basis of the two ecologically relevant aspects "Interaction with pathogens and antimicrobial resistance" and "Interaction with aquatic invertebrates".

Interaction with pathogens and antimicrobial resistance: Since biofilms are sites of increased genetic exchange and increased antimicrobial resistance occurs below wastewater treatment plants, plastics could not only contribute to the dispersion of pathogenic organisms, but also of resistance genes. The consequences of such a transfer were previously unknown. AWI therefore used molecular microbial source tracking techniques (DNA/RNA arrays for the detection of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, protozoa and virulence/resistance genes) to investigate plastic samples from the Weser region. Interaction with aquatic invertebrates: In order to generate exposure data, different mollusk species were applied in situ in the Weser, the tidal area and the Wadden Sea. Absorbed microplastic was examined in the digestive tract and in tissue samples and confirmed in parallel by pyrolysis-GC-MS and spectroscopic methods. Historical mussel samples (since 1986) from the Federal Environmental Specimen Bank (UBA) were examined using pyrolysis-GC-MS. The chronic toxicity of microplastic is characterised in laboratory experiments with mussels and worms. Different polymers were conditioned in situ and toxicologically characterised in chronic exposure experiments.

WP 5 Training measures to raise awareness of plastic waste

Contact person
Prof. Dr. Franz X. Bogner, University of Bayreuth, Didactics of Biology, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, e-mail: franz.bogner@uni-bayreuth.de

Project partner
AWI, UOld

Short description
In addition to the ethical assessment skills of students, WP 5 incorporated existing individual environmental knowledge. Innovative teaching materials with a sound reference to everyday life were evaluated for a holistic understanding regarding the burden of plastics in the model system and disseminated via an Internet teaching/learning portal. Within the work package, UBT provided a handbook for teachers and "public relations workers".

Coordinator

Prof. Dr. Christian Laforsch
University of Bayreuth
Chair of Animal Ecology I / UBT
Universitätsstraße 30
95447 Bayreuth
Phone: +49 921 / 55-2651
e-mail: christian.laforsch@uni-bayreuth.de

Dr. Gunnar Gerdts
Alfred Wegener Institute
Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI)
Kurpromenade
27498 Helgoland
Phone: +49 4725 / 819-3245
e-mail: gunnar.gerdts@awi.de

Website

http://www.bayceer.uni-bayreuth.de/PLAWES/en/

Partner Institutions

Coast Research Centre at the Lower Saxony State Enterprise for Water Management, Coastal Protection and Nature Conservation / NLWKN

Jülich Research Centre / FZJ

Goethe University Frankfurt / GU

Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute - Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries / TI-LR

Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Institute of Chemistry and Biology of the Sea / UOld

Duration Period

September 2017

April 2021

RUSEKU

KALEH — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 15:00:50 +0000

RUSEKU KALEH Tue, 12/19/2017 - 16:00

Representative Investigation Strategies for an Integrative System Approach to Specific Emissions of Plastics into the Environment

This project developed representative investigation methods and strategies for an integrative system understanding of relevant plastic entry paths into the environmental compartment water. The developed sampling methods were evaluated in terms of their concentration concept, their local use, their sampling throughput, and their selectivity for particles of different properties, sizes, and shapes. For this purpose, defined microplastic particles were produced with these varying characteristics and tested for representative recovery of sampling procedures in the laboratory and in semi-industrial simulation facilities. The methods developed in this way were translated into specific investigation strategies, adapted - with the aid of supporting simulation methods - and then applied to real environmental areas for different transport paths in the urban wastewater system. In addition to the academic understanding of microplastic entry points, causes and pathways, market-ready methods for efficient microplastic sampling were developed in cooperation with the companies involved. These methods form a basis for evaluation by legislators and for standardisation.

Main areas of work

Development of efficient, integrative and representative research methods and strategies (accuracy, repeatability, transferability) for the determination of relevant microplastic contents over the different areas of the water cycle
Establishment of goal-oriented, analytical methods for the detection of microplastic particles according to practical aspects
Simulations of the dynamics of particles in water bodies in semi-industrial laboratory tests
Further development of sampling to quantify the microplastic volume and transport in the real, urban waste water system for the waste water fractions: precipitation water, domestic waste water, and industrial waste water
Generation of a simulation code for the dynamics of microplastic particles in waters

Arbeitspakete

Work packages

WP 1 Production of microplastics and microplastic suspensions

Contact person
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Gehde, Technische Universität Chemnitz, Institute for Materials Handling and Plastics, Reichenhainer Straße 70, 09126 Chemnitz, e-mail: michael.gehde@mb.tu-chemnitz.de

Project partner
BAM, TUB, PlasticsEurope

Short description
First, defined, heterogeneous microplastic mixtures were developed for the environmental testing in water and soil. After the initial use of existing materials (e.g. particles from cryogenic grinding, commercial products), plants for the realistic and defined production of microplastic particles were set up during the project period: UV degradation systems for thin-walled, defined materials, dry or aqueous mechanical abrasion systems for fibres from textile applications, and abrasion simulation systems for the generation of spherical particles. The other project partners contributed to the characterisation of these model materials by applying their analytical methods.

WP 2 Development of sampling methods

Contact person
Dr. Claus Gerhard Bannick, Federal Environmental Agency, Corrensplatz 1, 14195 Berlin, e-mail: claus-gerhard.bannick@uba.de

Project partner
UGT, CSP, SMB, TUK, GEA, GKD, SVEI

Short description
In WP 2, efficient, reliable and reproducible sampling methods and strategies were developed for the microplastic model particles of different varieties, densities, sizes and shapes in the stream simulation facility at UBA. Their usability and reproducibility was also investigated for routine operation and the methods will be evaluated based on the recovery rates of experiments. The individual project partners optimised their analytical procedures: from the use of conventional flow-through centrifuges to the cascade filtration system, suspended matter traps, hydrodynamic modelling, and lysimeter tests to the control of possible input into groundwater.

WP 3 Simulations

Contact person
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Manhart, Technical University of Munich, Associate Professorship of Hydromechanics, Arcisstraße 21, 80333 München, e-mail: m.manhart@bv.tum.de

Project partner
KMT

Short description
The methodological developments from WP 2 were supported by accompanying simulations in WP 3. These simulations resulted in a description of the vertical distributions of spheroids at different particle sizes and shapes in a turbulent surface water or stream simulation facility. The models and results were integrated into a software that simulates geometrically complex, application-oriented cases. A sampling strategy was derived from the simulation results. Relevant material parameters of the particles such as size distribution, real density or surface properties from WP 1 as well as from partners from WP 5 were included.

WP 4 Sampling of real environmental compartment

Contact person
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Heidrun Steinmetz, Technical University of Kaiserslautern, Institute of Water - Infrastructure - Resources, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 14, 67663 Kaiserslautern, e-mail: heidrun.steinmetz@bauing.uni-kl.de

Project partner
UBA, TUM, KMT

Short description
The main focus of WP 4 were the quantification of the microplastic volume and transport in the real, urban wastewater system for the wastewater and precipitation water, domestic wastewater (partial flows grey and black water), industrial wastewater, and mixed wastewater. The findings from the sampling in WP 2 were implemented and improved. Further work focused on sample preparation and preservation to evaluate the comparability of different sampling strategies. The investigations focused on the quantities and the importance of microplastic volumes in the individual entry points of the urban wastewater system into the water bodies.

WP 5 Analytics

Contact person
Dr. Ulrike Braun, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Division 5.3 Mechanics of Polymers, Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, e-mail: ulrike.braun@bam.de

Project partner
CSP, TUM, FHI

Short description
The analytics used in the individual work packages were based on the requirements for sample preparation and analytical procedures as well as on the necessary information to be generated, not on the general feasibility. WP 5 served the intensive exchange of results generated with complementary analytical methods. In addition, the respective methods, supported by the results of the other project partners, were further refined and adapted.

Case studies

As a real environmental simulation, individual components of the wastewater system of the city of Kaiserslautern were investigated. In concrete terms, precipitation water was sampled here on settlement and traffic areas as well as domestic and industrial wastewater.

In addition, air sampling was also carried out at the limits of comparable sampling sites at locations in Berlin and in the Halle/Leipzig area. The planned lysimeter tests were carried out in Berlin and thus allow an assessment of groundwater recharge in Berlin and Brandenburg.

Coordinator

Dr. Ulrike Braun
Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing / BAM
Unter den Eichen 87
12205 Berlin
Phone: +49 30 8104-4317
e-mail: ulrike.braun@bam.de

Website

https://netzwerke.bam.de/ruseku

Partner Institutions

Federal Environmental Agency / UBA

Technical University of Chemnitz / TUC

Fraunhofer Centre for Silicon Photovoltaics / CSP

Technical University of Kaiserslautern / TUK

Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society / FHI

Technical University of Munich / TUM

Technical University of Berlin / TUB

SmartMembranes GmbH / SMB

Kreuzinger und Manhart Turbulenz GmbH / KMT

Umwelt – Geräte – Technik GmbH / UGT

Associated Partners

PlasticsEurope Deutschland e.V. / PlasticsEurope

Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie e.V. / SVEI

GKD - Gebr. Kufferath AG

Westfalia Separator Group GmbH / GEA

Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin / HTW Berlin

Duration Period

March 2018

March 2021

Project sheet

08_Projektblatt_RUSEKU_ENG_2018.pdf

Koordinator label

Coordinator

RAU

KALEH — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 13:35:24 +0000

RAU KALEH Tue, 12/05/2017 - 14:35

Tyre Wear in the Environment

Plastics in the environment are an increasingly serious challenge. As macroplastics deteriorate, such as through tire abrasion, the resulting microplastics can enter the aquatic environment through a variety of entry points. As vehicle traffic increases, there is an inevitable increase in microplastics from worn tires ending up in the environment. The amount of tire abrasion and the resulting microplastics entering the aquatic environment via road runoff had not yet been sufficiently researched.

The joint research project RAU addressed this and comprehensively described tire particles throughout the useful service life of tires, closing the knowledge gaps on where particle loss occurs over the entire life cycle. The goal was to identify and assess the entry points of tire materials into the aquatic environment and to develop reduction measures. RAU then verified selected measures for reducing the emission of tire material into the aquatic environment. On the basis of various influencing factors, an evaluation matrix was developed for deriving the most suitable measures to reduce tire abrasion in different locations.

Key areas of work

Development of a sampling basket for fractional sampling of individual rain events
Analytical evaluation of environmental samples for tire abrasion
Measurement of abrasion, quantification of subsets and subsequent qualitative examination
Further development of the pollution load simulation
Optimise the street cleaning

Coordinator

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Barjenbruch
and Daniel Venghaus

Technical University of Berlin,
Institute for Civil Engineering,
Faculty VI Planning Building Environment,
Institute of Civil Engineering,
Chair of Urban Water Management /
TUB FG Siwawi
Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25
13355 Berlin
Tel.: +49 30 314 72247
e-mail: matthias.barjenbruch@tu-berlin.de

Website

https://www.siwawi.tu-berlin.de/menue/forschung/rau/parameter/en/

Partner Institutions

Technical University of Berlin, FG System Dynamics and Friction Physics / TUB FG Reibung

Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH / Continental

GKD – Gebr. Kufferath AG / GKD

Ingenieurgesellschaft Prof. Dr. Sieker mbH / IPS

WESSLING GmbH / WESSLING

Associated Partners

ADAC e.V. / ADAC

Berliner Stadtreinigung / BSR

Berliner Wasserbetriebe / BWB