Uptake and release of organic pollutants in suspended particles (microplastics)

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Peter Grathwohl
• Subject Area: Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Limnology, Urban Water Management, Water Chemistry, Integrated Water Resources Management
• Term: from 2015 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 269194047

Many anthropogenic pollutants are transported into the environment by particles. For organic compounds organic or carbonaceous particles (soot, coals, chars, organic colloids, etc.) are the most relevant transport vectors. Recently, the wide spread occurrence of microplastic particles in waste water receiving rivers became obvious and it is reasonable to assume that these particles get loaded with organic compounds in waste water (like passive samplers) and have a high potential to transfer pollutants into freshwater ecosystems. This proposal aims at elucidation of accumulation and mass transfer mechanisms of waste water borne organic compounds on different microplastic particle types (polyethylene, mesoporous polystyrene, polyamid fibers). Compounds of concern include organophosphate flame retardants (TCPP), alkylphenols, disinfectants (triclosan) and transformation products (methyltriclosan) as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Since microplastic particles are well characterized in terms of shape and composition the proposed sorption/desorption studies can also help to understand uptake and release kinetics of pollutants on suspended sediments in rivers.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants