Analysis techniques for quantifying nano-and microplastic particles and their degradation in the marine environment – ANDROMEDA
Current methods for microplastic (MP) analysis can be divided into low-cost versus more advanced methods. ANDROMEDA recognizes that further development and validation is needed for both approaches. Low-cost methods are needed that can identify a broad range of MP polymers with acceptable accuracy. Advanced methods need further development in order to push the limit of detectability for smaller sizes of MP and nanoplastics (NP) and improve their ability to analyze MP types that are currently difficult to analyze by microspectroscopy. Moreover, to study plastic degradation mechanisms over a reasonable time frame, lab-based accelerated degradation approaches are required that mimic natural fragmentation and additive chemical leaching. Within ANDROMEDA, in situ MP detection, efficient sampling and cost-effective laboratory methods will be developed and optimized to analyze MP. Approaches will be based on hyperspectral imaging, chemical markers and fluorometric detection techniques. Advanced analysis techniques making use of µFTIR, Raman imaging and SEM-EDX (amongst others) will be applied to quantify and characterize MP and NP down to 1 µm, 0.2 µm or lower. Specific tasks will focus on challenging types of MP such as microfibers, tire wear particles (TWPs) and paint flakes. UV, hydrolytic and thermo-oxidative methods to study accelerated plastic degradation at the lab-scale will be developed and used to prepare partially degraded reference materials. Comprehensive degradation studies will be conducted to study in detail the mechanisms of UV and microbial degradation, as well as to investigate the influence of parameters such as temperature, pH and hyperbaric pressure, where attention will be paid to additive chemical leaching. Quality assurance will be a central theme in all aspects of the project. Partners specialized in dissemination, communication and data management will ensure strong stakeholder involvement and efficient outreach of the project results.
Project coordination
Richard SEMPERE (Institut Méditerranéen d'océanologie)
The author of this summary is the project coordinator, who is responsible for the content of this summary. The ANR declines any responsibility as for its contents.
Partner
Norwegian institute for Air research
Flanders Marine Institute
Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ
University College Cork
McGill University
Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture and Fisheries
IFREMER
University of Gothenburg
MIO Institut Méditerranéen d'océanologie
SINTEF Ocean AS
Tallinn University of Technology
Merinov
University of Malta
Instituto Español de Oceanografía
Wageningen University
Help of the ANR 299,998 euros
Beginning and duration of the scientific project:
March 2020
- 36 Months