Sea

Plastics in the environment

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 10:08:12 +0000

Plastics in the environment janna.vakili@e… Fri, 03/20/2020 - 11:08

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Beschreibung

Plastics are highly used materials that can be applied in many different ways. They successfully made their way into a lot of different industries and our daily lives, resulting in a steady increase in production and consumption over the last years. Nevertheless, they can become a problem for ecosystems when entering the environment. Plastics are degraded very slowly and can cause severe damage to living organisms and their habitats.

At this point, plastics are found in fresh and saltwater ecosystems like oceans, rivers and lakes as well as in soil. One of the main pathways of how plastics enter the environment is through inadequate waste and wastewater management, but there are many other sources like tyre abrasion, films from agriculture, or plastic particles from cosmetics or cleaning materials. In addition, littering causes more and more plastics to end up in the environment.

This paper from the German Environment Agency (UBA) shows – with regard to Germany - where we stand, what we need to do, what the research needs are, and which measures we can already introduce to tackle the problem.

The paper "Plastics in the environment" [pdf] is available for download. You can also find the publication in German here.

Attachments

"Plastics in the environment" [pdf]

Further Links

Press release of the German Environment Agency

ISSN

2363-832X

Year

2020

Publisher

German Environment Agency (UBA)

Type of Result

(scientific) publications (peer-review, essays, book chapters, poster etc.)

Tags

Microplastics

Macroplastics

Sea

Soil

Publikationstyp

Publikation

Verschoben: IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 13:55:25 +0000

Postponed: IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition janna.vakili@e… Fri, 11/08/2019 - 14:55

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Beschreibung

The IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition is the global event for water professionals covering the entire water cycle. As the Congress rotates through cities and countries each event has an extra emphasis on issues of specific interest to the region. An exact date in September 2022 is yet to be announced.

There will be a strong representation and contribution from Nordic and Baltic Sea countries, making the IWA Congress & Exhibition a vital opportunity to learn about the Nordic water challenges and solutions, including participation in technical site visits.

Important dates:
30 October 2019: Abstracts submission deadline

Super Early Bird Registration deadline extended to 15 January 2021.

Location

Copenhagen, Denmark

Organiser

IWA - International Water Association

Date

01 September 2022

Further Links

Website of the event

Image Gallery

Tags

Surface water

Sea

Limnic systems

Environmental sustainability

Date sort

Thu, 09/01/2022 - 12:00

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14th International Coral Reef Symposium

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 12:47:52 +0000

14th International Coral Reef Symposium janna.vakili@e… Fri, 11/08/2019 - 13:47

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Beschreibung

ICRS 2021, also known as the 14th International Coral Reef Symposium, is the primary international conference on coral reef science, conservation and management, bringing together leading scientists, early career researchers, conservationists, ocean experts, policy makers, managers and the public.

ICRS 2021 will be the key event to develop science-based solutions addressing the present and future challenges of coral reefs, which are globally exposed to unprecedented anthropogenic pressures. The five-day program will present the latest scientific findings and ideas, provide a platform to build the essential bridges between coral reef science, conservation, politics, management and the public, and will promote public and political outreach.

Due to possible restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will take place online. Please find further information on the event's website.

Location

Online

Organiser

International Coral Reef Society (ICRS)

Date

18 - 23 July 2021

18. - 23. Juli 2021

Further Links

Website of the event

Image Gallery

Tags

Sea

Governance

Environmental sustainability

Participation

Date sort

Sun, 07/18/2021 - 12:00

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Aus

All-Atlantic Ocean Research Forum

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 08:40:05 +0000

All-Atlantic Ocean Research Forum janna.vakili@e… Fri, 11/08/2019 - 09:40

Beschreibung

Many stakeholders from Atlantic coastal countries and many EU funded projects navigated together on an Atlantic Journey in 2013 with the signing of the Galway Statement and the signing of Belém Statement in 2017. Join the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Forum to witness what they have achieved since then.
The forum will gather political and community leaders, researchers, industry, Youth Ambassadors and inspirational speakers from along and across the Atlantic, to showcase the results of cooperation and their impact on the citizens living on the shores of the Atlantic.

Location

Brussels, Belgium

Organiser

European Commission

Date

06 - 07 February 2020

06. - 07. Februar 2020

Further Links

Website of the event

Image Gallery

Tags

Sea

Optimization process

Governance

Date sort

Thu, 02/06/2020 - 12:00

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Aus

EU Water Innovation Conference 2019

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 15:37:50 +0000

EU Water Innovation Conference 2019 janna.vakili@e… Thu, 11/07/2019 - 16:37

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Beschreibung

The European Commission aims to raise awareness about the need and urgency to improve water management across the European Union towards a water-smart society. Carrying the theme "Accelerating action to tackle water pollution and enhance EU preparedness to water-related climate change impacts" the EU Water Innovation Conference 2019 will feed innovators minds with best practices and innovative approaches at technical, governance and policy levels.

Participants can expect to:

Hear the direction the European Commission is taking in its water, climate change and research and innovation policies;
Learn the lessons of experienced water innovators in Europe;
Gain insight into the regulatory and financial framework, partnerships and how to successfully establish innovation;
Network with potential collaboration partners;
Get to know the funding and financial instruments available.

Registration possible via the website of the event.

Location

Zaragoza, Spain

Organiser

European Commission

Date

11 - 13 December 2019

11. - 13. Dezember 2019

Further Links

Website der Veranstaltung

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Tags

Date sort

Wed, 12/11/2019 - 12:00

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Kunststoffe in der Umwelt

Stephan.Guertler — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 07:34:54 +0000

Kunststoffe in der Umwelt Stephan.Guertler Fri, 06/07/2019 - 09:34

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Beschreibung

The paper "Kunststoffe in der Umwelt" [pdf] is available for download (in German). You can also find the publication in English here.

Attachments

"Kunststoffe in der Umwelt" [pdf, 7,8 MB]

Further Links

Press release of the German Environment Agency

ISSN

2363-832X

Year

2019

Publisher

German Environment Agency (UBA)

Type of Result

(scientific) publications (peer-review, essays, book chapters, poster etc.)

Tags

Publikationstyp

European Maritime Day 2019

hannes.schritt@ecologic.eu — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 15:19:04 +0000

European Maritime Day 2019 hannes.schritt… Wed, 11/07/2018 - 16:19

Untertitel

Meeting Point on Maritime Affairs and Blue Growth

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Beschreibung

The European Maritime Day is the annual EU meeting point on maritime affairs and blue growth. It targets maritime professionals, entrepreneurs and ocean leaders.

Focus of the event and exhibition will be on blue entrepreneurship, innovation and investment.

Location

Lisbon, Portugal

Date

16 - 17 May 2019

16. - 17. Mai 2019

Further Links

Website of Event

Image Gallery

Tags

Sea

Value chain

Date sort

Thu, 05/16/2019 - 12:00

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MICRO 2018 International Conference

linda.mederake@ecologic.eu — Wed, 09 May 2018 07:53:40 +0000

MICRO 2018 International Conference linda.mederake… Wed, 05/09/2018 - 09:53

Untertitel

Fate and Impacts of Microplastics: Knowledge, Actions and Solutions

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Beschreibung

While the accumulation of microplastics in marine ecosystems has been reported in the literature since the 1970s, many questions remain open. MICRO 2018 provides an opportunity to share available knowledge, fill in gaps, identify new questions and research needs, and develop commitments to operationalise solutions; MICRO 2018 will be a chance to reconvene, share what we have learned, and generate momentum for the work that remains to be done.

Participants are invited to submit abstracts for oral or poster presentations on the following topics:
• Marine Ecosystems
• Freshwater bodies
• From MACRO to nano
• Social change and behaviour
• Human health
• Policy

Location

Lanzarote, Spain

Date

19 - 23 November 2018

19. - 23. November 2018

Further Links

For more information: http://micro2018.sciencesconf.org

Attachments

Invitation and Call for Abstracts

Tags

Date sort

Mon, 11/19/2018 - 12:00

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Offene Konsultation der EU-Kommission zur Kunststoffstrategie

hannes.schritt@ecologic.eu — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 09:22:04 +0000

Consultation about Reducing Marine Litter: Action on Single Use Plastics and Fishing Gear hannes.schritt… Wed, 01/24/2018 - 10:22

Further Links

Strategy on plastics of the European Union

Beschreibung

Till the 12th of February 2018 General public, business associations, companies, researchers and experts, NGOs, international organisations and institutions, fishermen and fisheries organisations are invited to provide input, opinions and data for preparation of follow-up to the strategy on plastics related to marine litter, particularly from single use plastics and fishing gear.

The questionnaire is available here.

Related website of the European Union can be visited here.

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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

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