Project description
Sources and solutions for freshwater microplastics
Microplastics pose a major global threat, but are generally poorly understood. Mostly, plastic enters fresh water sources inland, but almost nothing is known about how and where this occurs. This prevents authorities from managing or mitigating the problem at its source. The EU-funded LimnoPlast project is addressing this issue with a four-pronged approach: data assessment, training, technological solutions and behaviour change. The project will analyse the sources and impacts of freshwater microplastics, and train scientists at the coal-face of the microplastics issue. The goal is to develop innovative solutions to remove microplastics from the environment, and find environmentally-friendly polymers. Finally, the project will promote communication and policy interventions to address the problem of microplastics at the system level.
Objective
Microscopic plastic debris, so-called microplastics (MP), pose a global challenge. As most plastic is produced and used inland, the considerable lack of knowledge on their sources and impacts in freshwater ecosystems inhibits effective mitigation measures. To meet this challenge, LimnoPlast will for the first time bring together environmental, technical, and social sciences with the vision to transform a new understanding of freshwater MP to innovative solutions. LimnoPlast will:
- Train a new type of scientists able to tackle the complex plastics issue holistically and contribute to Europe’s innovation and Circular Economy capacity. Working at the interface of three usually very distant disciplines, they will promote a step change in how we deal with this and future environmental challenges.
- Provide the first comprehensive assessment of the sources and impacts of freshwater MP based on the analysis of three major urban areas as hotspots of plastic pollution.
- Innovate technological solutions to the plastics issue, including novel processes to remove MP from municipal and industrial wastewater as well as bio-degradable, environmentally sound polymers.
- Promote societal change by understanding the economic, legislative and social context of freshwater MP.
- Transform science into a set of specific solutions, including (I) the prioritization of actions based on the sources and impacts of MP, development of (II) better processes and polymers, (III) risk communication strategies and societal interventions, (IV) effective policy and legislative interventions.
- Transfer the LimnoPlast outcomes to European decision makers, stakeholders and the public to enable and promote action on freshwater MP using an innovative communication and dissemination strategy.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwater treatment processeswastewater treatment processes
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystemsfreshwater ecosystems
- natural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciences
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesenvironmental sciencespollution
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicssustainable economy
Keywords
Programme(s)
Coordinator
95447 Bayreuth
Germany