Physico-chemical mechanisms of interactions on and with microplastic particles in aqueous solution (B01)

• Subject Area: Polymer Materials ; Analytical Chemistry ; Solid State and Surface Chemistry, Material Synthesis ; Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Limnology, Urban Water Management, Water Chemistry, Integrated Water Resources Management
• Term: since 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 391977956

B01 investigates within the CRC 1357 the following key hypotheses: 1) the presence of an Eco-Corona (EC) alters the timescales and mechanisms of microplastic (MP) weathering. Depending on the composition, the EC can have a passivating effect on UV weathering as well as photo- or redoxchemically activate aging. 2) Aging of MP particles gives rise to final water-soluble oligomers that can interact with natural aquatic components. The objectives of B01 are to determine and identify i) the interaction of aged MP particles with the aquatic environment, ii) the time scales and compositional influence (active/passive) of EC for photochemical weathering of MP iii) the importance of iron redox chemistry for MP particle aging and dynamics, iv) the interaction of MP with natural environmental particles.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1357: MICROPLASTICS - Understanding the mechanisms and processes of biological effects, transport and formation: From model to complex systems as a basis for new solutions
• Applicant Institution: Universität Bayreuth
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Georg Papastavrou; Professor Dr. Stefan Peiffer; Professor Dr. Jürgen Senker