Whereabouts

Factsheet 11: Mikroplastik in der Abwasserbehandlung - Methodenentwicklung für Probenahme und Analyse zur Erfassung der Eintragsmengen in Oberflächengewässer

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Thu, 06 May 2021 12:46:43 +0000

Factsheet 11: Microplastics in wastewater treatment - Development of sampling and analysis methods for detection of input quantities into surface waters janna.vakili@e… Thu, 05/06/2021 - 14:46

Titelbild

Photo: © Institute of Hydroscience, University of the Federal Armed Forces Munich

Beschreibung

It is not easy to determine how much microplastic is contained in wastewater and sewage sludge. In addition to plastic, countless other particles and substances are present. To reliably determine the concentration of microplastic particles, complex procedures for sampling as well as for removal of foreign substances and analysis of the microplastic particles are required.

The PLASTRAT research team has set itself the task of developing methods for these procedures and thus advancing the detection of inputs to surface waters. In this context, they provide important insights into the relevance of wastewater treatment plants as a retention option for plastic particles.

The project focuses on the quantification and technical reduction potential of plastic emissions in the field of urban water management, including sewage sludge treatment. The results on method development have been summarized in the 11th fact sheet of the research focus. The fact sheet is available for PDF download here.

Attachments

Factsheet 11 of the BMBF Research Focus Plastics in the Environment.

Joint project

PLASTRAT

Year

2021

Author

Authors

Natalie Wick

Steffen Krause

Christian Schaum

Franziska Fischer

Dieter Fischer

Franziska Klaeger

Juliana Ivar do Sul

Matthias Labrenz

Type of Result

factsheets

Citation

Wick, Natalie; Krause, Steffen; Schaum, Christian; Fischer, Franziska; Fischer, Dieter; Klaeger, Franziska; Ivar do Sul, Juliana; Labrenz, Matthias (2020): Microplastics in wastewater treatment: Development of sampling and analysis methods for detection of input quantities into surface waters. Fact sheet 11 of the BMBF research focus „Plastics in the Environment“.

Publikationstyp

Ergebnis

Factsheet 7.2: Mikroplastik im Nahrungsnetz in Gewässern - Analyse von Wirkung und Transfer am Beispiel der Fadenwürmer (Nematoden)

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Thu, 06 May 2021 12:42:40 +0000

Factsheet 7.2: Microplastics in the aquatic food web - Impact and transfer analysis based on the example of roundworms (nematodes) janna.vakili@e… Thu, 05/06/2021 - 14:42

Titelbild

Photo: © Hendrik Füser, Bielefeld University, Department of Animal Ecology

Beschreibung

"To assess the ecologic danger posed by microplastics, one must also consider indirect effects in the food web", say Sebastian Höss (Ecossa) and Marie-Theres Rauchschwalbe (Bielefeld University). The researchers from the joint project MikroPlaTaS looked at these effects using nematodes as an example.

Roundworms (nematodes) live in the sediment layer of water bodies and serve as a food source for larger aquatic organisms. Nematodes are capable of absorbing microplastics within a matter of minutes, resulting in these small plastic particles entering the food chain. Insights into the subsequent effects are useful for considering the transfer of microplastics in the food web, as nematodes are a significant food source for organisms in the bottom zone of the water body.

The project partners of the joint project MikroPlaTaS worked in the field, in the laboratory and in semi-outdoor systems (micro- and mesocosms). In this way, impact thresholds and mechanisms were modelled with the help of individual laboratory species of meio- and macrofauna, which could then be tested under realistic conditions for complex organism communities.

The results of the investigations are presented in the second factsheet of the research project. This is available here as a PDF download.

Attachments

Factsheet 7.2 of the BMBF Research Focus Plastics in the Environment.

Joint project

MikroPlaTas

Year

2021

Author

Authors

Sebastian Höss

Marie-Theres Rauchschwalbe

Hendrik Fueser

Walter Traunspurger

Type of Result

factsheets

Citation

Höss, Sebastian; Rauchschwalbe, Marie-Theres; Fueser, Hendrik; Traunspurger, Walter (2021): Microplastics in the aquatic food web: Impact and transfer analysis based on the example of roundworms (nematodes). Fact sheet 7.2 of the BMBF research focus „Plastics in the Environment“.

Tags

Environmental sustainability

Whereabouts

Publikationstyp

Ergebnis

Factsheet 7.1: Mikroplastik in Talsperren - Wie verhalten sich Plastikteilchen in Staubereichen?

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Thu, 06 May 2021 12:41:30 +0000

Factsheet 7.1: Microplastics around dams - How do plastic particles behave in reservoirs? janna.vakili@e… Thu, 05/06/2021 - 14:41

Titelbild

Beschreibung

Plastic is now ubiquitous not only in the sea but also in many inland waters. In certain areas, such as at barrages or in dams, the flow velocity decreases. As a result, the particles previously held in suspension by the current begin to sink to the bottom of the water and can then accumulate in the sediment.

The behavior of microplastic particles in dams and reservoirs has been intensively studied by the research team of the collaborative project MikroPlaTaS. In this first factsheet of the project, selected results on the factors influencing the sinking processes are presented.

Factsheet 7.1 is available here as a PDF download.

Attachments

Factsheet 7.1 of the BMBF Research Focus Plastics in the Environment.

Joint project

MikroPlaTas

Year

2021

Author

Authors

Antje Nieber

Friederike Gabel

Rico Leiser

Diana Michler-Kozma

Per Olaf Walter

Katrin Wendt-Potthoff

Type of Result

factsheets

Citation

Nieber, Antje; Gabel, Friederike; Leiser, Rico; Michler-Kozma, Diana, Walter, Per Olaf; Wendt-Potthoff, Katrin (2021): Microplastics around dams: How do plastic particles behave in reservoirs? Fact sheet 7.1 of the BMBF research focus „Plastics in the Environment“.

Tags

Publikationstyp

Factsheet 5.1: Mikroplastik aus industriellem Abwasser entfernen - Verfahrensverbesserungen durch Flockungsmittel

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 10:02:22 +0000

Factsheet 5.1: Removing microplastics from industrial wastewater - Process improvements through the use of flocculants janna.vakili@e… Tue, 04/27/2021 - 12:02

Titelbild

Beschreibung

Microplastics can enter our wastewater along the entire value chain. Removal options exist primarily in wastewater treatment plants, here in the form of filtration, flotation and sedimentation processes. The removal performance of wastewater treatment plants determines how much microplastic is discharged into the environment.

Building on this, Factsheet 5.1 addresses the question of how current processes can be further improved. In this context, the researchers paid particular attention to the influence of flocculants on separation performance. The joint project EmiStop conducted over 1,000 flocculation tests with 9 flocculant combinations on 17 types of plastics. The results show that flocculants can increase process efficiency up to 99.9% removal efficiency.

In the EmiStop research project, industrial plastic emissions were qualitatively and quantitatively identified using innovative detection methods, and technologies to prevent environmental input via the wastewater pathway were evaluated and optimized.

The factsheet 5.1 is available for PDF download here.

Attachments

Factsheet 7.2 of the BMBF Research Focus Plastics in the Environment.

Joint project

EmiStop

Year

2021

Author

Authors

Mark Masch

Eva Bitter

Type of Result

factsheets

Citation

Masch, Mark; Bitter, Eva (2021): Removing microplastics from industrial wastewater: Process improvements through the use of flocculants. Fact sheet 5.1 of the BMBF research focus "Plastics in the Environment“.

Tags

Sewage treatment plant

Publikationstyp

Factsheet 1: Plastikverpackungen - Welche Einsparmöglichkeiten gibt es beim Kleiderkauf?

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 13:38:16 +0000

Factsheet 1: Plastic Packaging - What are the possibilities for reducing waste when buying clothes? janna.vakili@e… Wed, 02/10/2021 - 14:38

Titelbild

Beschreibung

The first factsheet of the research focus is dealing with the question of how consumers can save plastic when buying clothes. It is often difficult to know how much plastic is produced along the textile value chain, before a product arrives in the store. Due to this lack of visibility, it is usually not possible for consumers to estimate the actual amount of packaging of a garment and to act accordingly. The factsheet picks up on this issue and explains at which points in the supply chain plastic packaging waste is generated. It also discusses the role of industry and consumers in this context and points out avoidance strategies.

The contents of the factsheet are based on research results of the joint project VerPlaPoS. The factsheet is available here for PDF download.

Attachments

Factsheet 1 of the BMBF Research Focus Plastics in the Environment.

Joint project

VerPlaPoS

Year

2021

Type of Result

factsheets

Citation

Decker, Thomas; Lippl, Maria; Frommeyer, Britta; Koch, Julia; von Gehlen, Kristina; Tornow, Maren; Habermehl, Tabea; Niedermeier, Andreas (2021): Plastic Packaging: What are the possibilities for reducing waste when buying clothes? Fact sheet 1 of the BMBF research focus „Plastics in the Environment“.

Publikationstyp

Ergebnis

Querschnittsthema

QST 4

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

Tags

Publikationstyp

Ergebnis

MicBin

KALEH — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 09:13:16 +0000

MicBin KALEH Wed, 12/20/2017 - 10:13

Microplastics in Inland Waters – Investigation and Modeling of Entries and Whereabouts in the Danube Area as a Basis for Action Planning

Within the framework of this project, a first-ever accounting of macro-, meso- and microplastics released into the German part of the Danube river basin was achieved, with measuring stations at its main tributaries. Microplastic particles (particles < 5 mm) were examined by using various, complementary analytical methods. The focus lay on specifically small particles that are invisible to the naked eye with diameters less than 300 μm as there is currently a distinct lack of data about these particles. This project mapped the sources, sinks, transport processes and fragmentation of plastics in separate material flow models for micro- and macroplastics. Targeted, standardised sampling and supplementary laboratory experiments are clarifying the relevance of previously neglected input paths such as agricultural land or atmospheric deposition. Results were implemented into existing models, the models were validated and a plastic balance for the German Danube watershed was prepared. Through scenario analyses, it was possible to identify measures to reduce plastic pollution at the level of entire river basins.

Main areas of work

Entry balancing of macro-, meso- and particularly microplastic in the German Danube river basin through uniform sampling campaigns, modelling and supplementary laboratory tests
Balancing of previously unconsidered sources and sinks, such as the input of plastic by agriculture, atmospheric deposition of microplastic and degradation processes of plastics in the environment
Derivation of minimisation strategies

Arbeitspakete

Work packages

WP 1 Coordination

Contact person
Dr. Nicole Zumbülte, TZW: DVGW Water Technology Centre, Analysis and Water Quality department, Karlsruher Straße 84, 76139 Karlsruhe, e-mail: nicole.zumbuelte@tzw.de

Project partner

UOS, UniA, BfG, THK, LfU, BKV

Short description
The TZW was responsible for the scientific and general internal coordination within the project, ensured the exchange of information between the internal and external partners and research networks. This included the organisation of sampling campaigns and sample distribution to the individual partners, the coordination of sample analysis, the organisation of project meetings for exchange between the partners and the maintenance of scientific exchange with other projects at national and international levels.

WP 2 Analysis of plastics in environmental samples

Contact person
Prof. Dr. Thomas Ternes, German Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068 Koblenz, e-mail: ternes@bafg.de

Project partner
LfU, TZW, UOS

Short description
In this work package, the samples from WP 3 and WP 4 were analysed using three complementary methods. Starting from a high sample volume, these were pre-selected in advance by BfG using an effective screening procedure (low sample preparation effort, sample analysis using pyrolysis gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry). Samples with contents above a threshold value to be defined were subjected to a much more complex and precise analysis using Raman (TZW) and IR spectroscopy (LfU). These processes provided detailed information on particle properties (concentration, size, polymer type, and shape).

WP 3 Identification of entries / sources

Contact person
Dr. Korbinian Freier, Bavarian State Office for the Environment, Demollstr. 31, 82407 Wielenbach, e-mail: korbinian.freier@lfu.bayern.de

Project partner
THK, BKV, UOS

Short description
The first step in mass balancing of the selective and diffuse input of microplastics requires a characterisation of all potential sources. The aim of WP 3 was therefore to investigate and quantify entries from points and areas in limnic systems. The results were incorporated in WP 5. The focus was on atmospheric deposition, linear inputs in connection with littering, wastewater treatment plants, landfill leachates, and the weathering of plastics.

WP 4 Transport, distribution and fate: Process understanding of water, soil, air

Contact person
Prof. Dr. Thomas Ternes, German Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068 Koblenz, e-mail: ternes@bafg.de

Project partner
BKV, LfU, UniA, TZW, UOS, THK

Short description
In addition to sinks such as hydroelectric power plants, this WP looked at transport and relocation processes of microplastics and possible intermediate reservoirs for microplastics such as soils or water sections with low flow. In addition, degradation and comminution processes of plastics were investigated in laboratory experiments. Sinks or reservoirs for microplastics were identified by coordinated sampling in the water body and mass balancing of a water body section. The results of WP 4 were incorporated into the models of WP 5.

WP 5 Drawing up balance sheets by modelling and deriving measures

Contact person
Dr. Jörg Klasmeier, Osnabrück University, Institute of Environmental Systems Research, Barbarastraße 12, 49078 Osnabrück, e-mail: jklasmei@uos.de

Project partner
LfU, UniA, BKV, TZW

Short description
Entries in water bodies were accounted for considering the various sources and sinks and allowing for an estimation of the total freight in the Danube River System. Process-oriented small to medium scale models for microplastic (UniA, UOS) and supraregional models for micro-, meso- and macroplastic (BKV) were fed with the experimental data and existing data on wastewater treatment plants (LfU, UOS) obtained in the various work packages. From the results of all work packages, a summary evaluation of the sources and sinks with recommendations for measures to reduce water pollution was carried out.

WP 6 Communication

Contact person
Dr. Nicole Zumbülte, TZW: DVGW Water Technology Centre, Analysis and Water Quality Department, Karlsruher Straße 84, 76139 Karlsruhe, e-mail: nicole.zumbuelte@tzw.de

Project partner
LfU, THK

Short description
The MicBin project homepage informs about project contents, actions and results. In addition, a short film was produced and made available to the public. The public was made aware of this issue through a waste collection campaign on the water and participation in the German Sustainability Action Days (DAN). Stakeholders from research, authorities and industry was informed and involved in workshops.

Case Studies

The MicBin project focused on balancing the input of macro-, meso- and particularly microplastics for the German Danube river basin with measurement campaigns at the main Danube tributaries. Among other things, agricultural entries as well as transport and relocation processes were also taken into account.

Coordinator

Dr. Nicole Zumbülte
DVGW Deutscher Verein des Gasund Wasserfaches e. V. – Technischwissenschaftlicher Verein – Bonn
TZW: DVGW-Water Technology Centre, Analysis and Water Quality Department
Karlsruher Straße 84
76139 Karlsruhe
Phone: +49 721-9678 139
e-mail: nicole.zumbuelte@tzw.de

Website

https://www.micbin.de/

Partner Institutions

German Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG) / BfG

DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser / TZW

Cologne Technical University, STEPs / THK

BKV GmbH / BKV

Bavarian State Office for the Environment / LfU

University of Augsburg / UniA

Osnabrück University / UOS

Duration Period

October 2017