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H2020Doctoral network2019–2023

LimnoPlast · Microplastics in Europe's freshwater ecosystems: From sources to solutions

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2019-11-01 → 2023-12-31
EU contribution
€4,046,356
Participants
14
Scheme
MSCA-ITN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Microplastics in Europe's freshwater ecosystems: From sources to solutions

Plastics have become an indispensable part in our daily life. Besides the indisputable benefits of plastic materials, major concerns arise about plastic leakage to the environment. Small plastic particles so-called microplastics (MP) have been detected ubiquitously in various ecosystems around the globe where they are bioavailable for a broad range of organisms, may negatively affect ecosystems and consequently society and economy. MP pollution is scientifically complex because MP are an extremely heterogeneous group of contaminants with regard to polymer types, morphology (e.g., fibres, fragments), and chemical composition. Likewise, the issue is societally complex as it is intrinsically linked to our linear economic system of production and consumption, growth and materialism, human wellbeing, decisions and behaviours, and involves multiple stakeholders. These ecological and economical risks resonate in society and the majority of Europeans are concerned about the environmental and health effects of microplastics, accordingly. While there is political motivation to solve the MP issue most activities focus on marine environments. In contrast, most plastic litter is produced on land and emerging research demonstrates that freshwater ecosystems are affected by microplastics pollution. Since freshwater microplastics emerge as major future challenge for Europe’s freshwater ecosystems and the latter are fundamental to public health and economic activities, the intention of the EU-funded International Training Network LimnoPlast is to close knowledge gaps on the issue of freshwater microplastics and provide the necessary evidence to enable and inform effective prevention and mitigation measures.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project 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.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • UNIVERSITAT BAYREUTH · BayreuthCoordinatorGermany
  • AALBORG UNIVERSITET · AalborgDenmark
  • ECOLE NATIONALE DES PONTS ET CHAUSSEES · Marne La Vallee Cedex 2France
  • EVONIK OPERATIONS GMBH · EssenGermany
  • FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV · MunchenGermany
  • GOETEBORGS UNIVERSITET · GoeteborgSweden
  • HHL GEMEINNUTZIGE GMBH · LeipzigGermany
  • KEMIJSKI INSTITUT · LjubljanaSlovenia
  • NORGES TEKNISK-NATURVITENSKAPELIGE UNIVERSITET NTNU · TrondheimNorway
  • STICHTING VU · AmsterdamNetherlands
  • SYNDICAT INTERDEPARTMENTAL POUR L'ASSAINISSEMENT DE L'AGGLOMERATION PARISIENNE · ParisFrance
  • UNIVERSITAT WIEN · WienAustria
  • UNIVERSITETET I BERGEN · BergenNorway
  • UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH · PlymouthUnited Kingdom

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union