Microplastics

Tackling microplastics in the environment - evidence-based policy recommendations on pellet loss, tire abrasion, fibres, and paints

KALEH — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 13:21:39 +0000

Tackling microplastics in the environment - evidence-based policy recommendations on textile fibres, tire abrasion, and pellet loss KALEH Tue, 12/20/2022 - 14:21

Untertitel

09 March 2023, 09:00-15:00 CET | Brussels

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Beschreibung

The event brought together around 70 scientists, representatives from the EU institutions, as well as stakeholders from civil society and businesses to discuss the non-intentional release of microplastics into the environment.

RD Dr. Martin Dubiel (Representation of the Free State of Bavaria to the European Union) opened the event and gave the introductory words of welcome. The welcome address was given by Dr. Frieder Kettemann from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. R. Andreas Kraemer, who moderated the event, gave a short overview on the current political framework regarding plastics and recent developments at different political levels.

In the introductory talk, Werner Bosmans (DG Environment) outlined the political mandate for (micro)plastics regulation at EU level, the relevant sources of the non-intentional release of microplastics into the environment and the existing regulatory framework for microplastics at the EU level. During the Q&A subsequently to the presentation, Mr. Bosmans emphasized that there is a lot more research needed with regards to sampling methodologies to gather information on the presence of microplastics in soils across the EU as well as how this could be monitored at member state level.

The first session addressed the issue of tire abrasion with presentations from Mag. Dr. Romana Hornek-Gausterer (Environment Agency Austria) and Prof. Dr. Ing. Matthias Barjenbruch (Technical University Berlin). Ms. Hornek-Gausterer focused on additives used in tires, more specifically on para-substituted phenylenediamines (PPDs). She concluded that environmental monitoring is needed to understand which substances/products are of concern and to learn about the occurrence, transport/fate and behavior in the environment for such particles and substances. Prof. Barjenbruch presented results from the RAU project on tire abrasion and suggested measures to reduce the entry of tire particles into the aquatic environment.

In the second session on textiles fibres, Dr. Korinna Altmann (Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, RUSEKU project) explained the results of washing machine tests with regard to the release of textile fibres from clothes such as shirts during typical washing processes with a household washing machine. The second presentation, held by Nicklas Gustavsson (Ramboll), dealt with geotextiles which are, for instance, used in road construction or for erosion control. Mr. Gustavsson highlighted the major research gaps that exist regarding the use of geotextiles and the potential discharge of microplastics during the use phase or while removing geotextiles from the environment.

The third session started with a presentation of Felix Weber (RheinMain University of Applied Sciences) and Luisa Barkmann-Metaj (Technical University of Darmstadt) who presented results from the EmiStop project on industrial microplastic and pellet loss. The two researchers presented their findings on industrial microplastic emissions at industrial sites and possible reduction measures. Afterwards, the presentation by Dr. Ulrike Braun (German Environment Agency [UBA]) and Dr. Nizar Benismail (Nestlé Quality Assurance Center Vittel) introduced the work of the joint ISO working group on microplastics of which both are active members. A challenge in the standardization work is the harmonization of standards that are currently developed in several different working groups.

In the last session, Dr. Saskia Ziemann (Project Management Agency Karlsruhe) presented the key messages from the German research focus “Plastics in the Environment”, while Prof. Dr. Christian Laforsch (University of Bayreuth) indicated future research needs that will – at least partially – be tackled by the Collaborative Research Centre 1357 Microplastics.

The event “Tackling microplastics in the environment” did take place on 9th March 2023 in the Representation of the Free State of Bavaria to the European Union in Brussels and was organized jointly by Ecologic Institute for the research focus “Plastics in the Environment – Sources • Sinks • Solutions” of Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the Collaborative Research Centre 1357 Microplastics at the University of Bayreuth and the Interest Group Plastics of the EPA network.

Presentations (videos and presentation slides)

Werner Bosmans (European Commission, DG Environment)
Current EU initiatives to prevent microplastics in the environment, Presentation slides

Mag. Dr. Romana Hornek-Gausterer, (Environment Agency Austria)
Tire wear and substances of concern, Presentation slides

Prof. Dr. Ing. Matthias Barjenbruch (Technical University Berlin, Germany)
Measures to reduce the input of tire material into the environment, Presentation slides

Dr. Korinna Altmann (Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Germany)
Release of synthetic fibres during washing of typical household textiles: Findings from washing machine tests and resulting policy recommendations, Presentation slides

Nicklas Gustavsson (Ramboll, Sweden)
Geotextiles as a source of microplastics, Presentation slides

Luisa Barkmann-Metaj (Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany)
Felix Weber (RheinMain University of Applied Sciences, Germany)
Industrial microplastic and pellet loss: status quo and possible reduction measures, Presentation slides

Dr. Ulrike Braun (German Environment Agency [UBA])
Nizar Benismail (Nestlé Quality Assurance Center Vittel, France)
Legal regulation and standardisation of methods to investigate microplastics in the environment, Presentation slides

Dr. Saskia Ziemann (Project Management Agency Karlsruhe, Germany)
Key Messages of the BMBF Research Focus “Plastics in the Environment”, Presentation slides

Prof. Dr. Christian Laforsch (University Bayreuth, Germany)
Key Messages of the Collaborative Research Centre 1357 “Microplastics", Presentation slides

Location

Representation of the Free State of Bavaria to the European Union, Rue Wiertz 77, 1000 Brussels

Date

09 March 2023

Event type

Research Focus Event

Attachments

Agenda

Information about the Speakers

Image Gallery

Tags

Microplastics

Analytics

Tire particles

Tire wear

Date sort

Thu, 03/09/2023 - 12:00

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Publikationstyp

Ergebnis

Ergebnistyp

Further products

Mikroplastik in Böden - eine Gefahr für Mensch und Umwelt?

hannes.schritt@ecologic.eu — Tue, 17 May 2022 12:56:56 +0000

Microplastics in soils – a threat for human health and the environment? hannes.schritt… Tue, 05/17/2022 - 14:56

Untertitel

International Conference

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Fertilizer with plastics (Copyright: iamporpla / iStockPhoto.com)

Beschreibung

The international conference provided an opportunity to learn and exchange knowledge on the topic of microplastics in soils and was aimed at scientists and decision-makers alike. The first day of the event focused on the state of the science, the second day on identifying technical options and political fields of action at the European and international level.

Research has shown that soils are a major sink for microplastics. A lot is known about microplastics in water, but there are still large gaps in research on plastics in soils, especially regarding the determination, distribution, transport and impacts of microplastic particles.

This two-day international conference featured the following topics:

Day 1: State of science
a. Pathways of entries and occurrence of plastic in soils
b. Behavior, fate, and impact of microplastics in soils
c. Analysis of microplastics in soils

Day 2: Need for action by policy makers
d. Technical and management solutions reducing plastic emissions into soils
e. Existing regulations affecting plastics in soils
f. Policy solutions at the European and international level
The conference will serve as an input for developing policy recommendations.

This hybrid event took place on 19 and 20 October, 2022 allowing for both in-person and online participation. The event was aimed at scientists and decision-makers.

Organiser

Website der Veranstaltung des Umweltbundesamtes

Date

19 October 2022

Further Links

Website UBA

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Date sort

Wed, 10/19/2022 - 12:00

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Ist Mikroplastik schädlich?

hannes.schritt@ecologic.eu — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 09:34:42 +0000

Are microplastics harmful? hannes.schritt… Thu, 03/03/2022 - 10:34

Untertitel

The ecotoxicological assessment of microplastics in the environment is a complex task

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Part of the Poster

Beschreibung

Whether or not microplastics have harmful effects on plants and animals has not yet been conclusively established. The different properties of microplastics determine whether and how the microplastics are absorbed by living organisms and whether they are harmful to them.

Compared to other pollutants in the environment (e.g. pesticides), microplastics do not have a uniform effect on living organisms. In addition, the effects of microplastics often cannot be distinguished from the harmful effects of other particles and substances found in the environment.

Further Links

Ecotoxicology of Microplastics - Poster

Year

2022

Type of Result

educational material

Citation

Aebli, L., Wendt-Potthoff, K., Laforsch, C., Höss, S., Schritt, H., Kemper, M. (2022): Plastics in the Environment. Are microplastics harmful? URL: https://bmbf-plastik.de/sites/default/files/2022-03/ToxPoster_EN_03.pdf

Tags

Environmental sustainability

Publikationstyp

Ergebnis

Publikation

Querschnittsthema

QST 2

Bildungsmaterialien zum Thema Mikroplastik

hannes.schritt@ecologic.eu — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 12:10:58 +0000

Educational materials on the topic of microplastics hannes.schritt… Wed, 08/11/2021 - 14:10

Untertitel

Education portal

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Beschreibung

In addition to research on the current topic of microplastics, the dissemination of knowledge to the public is an important matter. Within the framework of the project, we have succeeded in developing teaching materials with which the examination of the topic can be realised from the 1st to the 12th grade. For free download, we offer simple, short experiments, teaching units lasting several hours as well as a project design for use in P or W seminars during the school year.

Further Links

Link to the educational materials

Joint project

Type of Result

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Publikationstyp

Querschnittsthema

Statuspapier Mikroplastik-Analytik

hannes.schritt@ecologic.eu — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 13:22:16 +0000

Analysis of Microplastics - Sampling, preparation and detection methods hannes.schritt… Mon, 06/28/2021 - 15:22

Untertitel

Status Report

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Beschreibung

This status report was prepared within the framework of the cross-cutting topic 1 "Analytics and reference materials" of the research focus. It summarizes the contents of the project discussions and coordination within the cross-cutting issue. The organization of this ongoing process of development or elaboration has been supported by several events.

The status report presents a summary of the physicochemical methods for the analysis of MP used in the research focus "Plastics in the Environment". The present recommendations are based on the current state of knowledge of the analysis of MP and are directed at actors in science as well as potential users in practice.

Scientists from the following collaborative projects of the research focus participated in the preparation of the status report via workshops, contributions and feedback loops: EmiStop, ENSURE, MicBin, MicroCatch_Balt, MikroPlaTaS, PLASTRAT, PLAWES, RAU, REPLAWA, RUSEKU, SubμTrack and TextileMission as well as the two predecessor projects MiWa and BASEMAN.

Further Links

Link to Status Report

Year

2020

Type of Result

discussion papers & status papers

Citation

Braun, Ulrike & Stein, Ulf & Schritt, Hannes & Altmann, Korinna & Bannick, Claus & Becker, Roland & Bitter, Hajo & Bochow, Mathias & Dierkes, Georg & Enders, Kristina & Eslahian, Kyriakos & Fischer, Dieter & Földi, Corinna & Fuchs, Monika & Gerdts, Gunnar & Hagendorf, Christian & Heller, Claudia & Ivleva, Natalia & Jekel, Martin & Kerpen, Jutta & Klaeger, Fraziska & Knoop, Oliver & Labrenz, Matthias & Laforsch, Christian & Obermaier, Nathan & Primpke, Sebastian & Reiber, Jens & Richter, Susanne & Ricking, Mathias & Scholz-Böttcher, Barbara & Stock, Friederike & Wagner, Stephan & Wendt-Potthoff, Katrin & Zumbülte, Nicole (2021): Analysis of Microplastics - Sampling, preparation and detection methods. Status Report within the framework program Plastics in the Environment.

Tags

Raman microspectroscopy

Publikationstyp

Special Issue "Nano and Micro Plastic Detection and Identification in Water"

hannes.schritt@ecologic.eu — Thu, 27 May 2021 07:41:18 +0000

Special Issue "Nano and Micro Plastic Detection and Identification in Water" hannes.schritt… Thu, 05/27/2021 - 09:41

Untertitel

Call for Paper

Further Links

For more information on this Special Issue and the submission guidelines

Beschreibung

Open access journal Water (ISSN 2703-4441, IF 2.544)

New Special Issue entitled "Nano and Micro Plastic Detection and Identification in Water". Shaping EU Plastic Policies: The Role of Public Health vs. Environmental Arguments. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 3928.

The submission deadline is 31 January 2022 and papers may be submitted immediately or at any point until 31 January 2022 , as papers will be published on an ongoing basis.

Water is fully open access. Manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision provided to authors approximately 17.86 days after submission. An Article Processing Charge (APC) of CHF 2000 currently applies to all accepted papers.

Tags

Microplastics

Nano plastics

Analytics

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Bildergalerie

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

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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

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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“.

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Publikationstyp

QST1: Vergleichsversuch

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 09:52:50 +0000

Cross-Cutting Topic 1: Analytics and Reference Materials: Comparative test janna.vakili@e… Fri, 02/12/2021 - 10:52

Untertitel

Results

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Beschreibung

This comparative test from cross-cutting topic 1 "Analytics and reference materials" classifies different analytical methods for the identification and quantification of microplastics regarding their informative value and to work out the strengths and limitations of the respective methods. The comparative test was intended to provide the pre-requisites for comparing the analytical results of the individual projects within a given framework. No evaluation of the different analytical methods is intended.

Both thermoanalytical and spectroscopic methods were used. It was shown that the different analytical methods for the identification and quantification of microplastics provide comparable results within the respective procedures.

The results of the comparative test are available here as a PDF download.

Attachments

Cross-Cutting Topic 1: Analytics and Reference Materials: Comparative test

Year

2021

Author

Authors

PD Dr. Natalia Ivleva

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Heinz Sturm

Cordula Witzig

Dr. Nicole Zumbülte

Type of Result

discussion papers & status papers

Tags

Methodology of analyses

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

Polymer

Polymer analysis

Raman microspectroscopy

Publikationstyp

Wissenschaft macht Schule: Wanderausstellung zum Thema (Mikro-)Plastik

linda.mederake@ecologic.eu — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 10:49:25 +0000

Science goes to school: Travelling exhibition on the topic of (micro-)plastics linda.mederake… Mon, 02/01/2021 - 11:49

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Beschreibung

As part of the joint project MikroPlaTaS, a travelling exhibition on the topic of microplastics and plastics has been developed especially for use in schools. In addition to presenting basic information on the use, distribution routes and effects of plastics, the exhibition also presents the research team's own project results. The aim of the exhibition is to inform pupils about plastics in the environment. The main focus is on the question of why a large proportion of the tiny particles are deposited in waterlogged areas.

In addition to project days, it can also be used in biology or chemistry lessons (upper secondary level). A handout is also available for teachers with suggestions and explanations for integrating the exhibition into the curriculum. The travelling exhibition can be sent and used throughout Germany.

Attachments

This flyer presents the exhibition in a precise manner.

Further Links

Web page on "environmental education" of the MikroPlaTaS project

Joint project

MikroPlaTas

Year

2020

Type of Result

educational material

Tags

Awareness raising