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JPI Oceans microplactics
Termin:
31.03.2015
Fördergeber:
Fördergeber - Sonstige
This call intends to increase the knowledge about the best analytical methods for identifying microplastics, their distribution in marine systems and their eco-toxicological effects on marine organisms. This call comprises three main themes:
- Validation and harmonisation of analytical methods
- Identification and quantification of microplastics
- Eco-toxicological effects of microplastic - impact on marine organisms
1. Validation and harmonisation of analytical methods
Quantifying microplastics is a relatively new and challenging analytical field. Method development and method validation are essential elements for proper analysis of new qualifiers in environmental
assessments. Microplastic is usually defined as particles with a diameter of less than 5 mm and
includes a broad spectrum of plastic polymers. Different analytical methods are required to detect the full size-spectrum down to the micrometer size. The first step in the identification is the extraction of micro-plastics from selected matrices (sediment, biota, water column). These procedures should include all kinds of plastic polymers and all measurable size fractions on the nano- and micro scale. There are still challenges related to the extraction and analysis steps, as well as harmonized reporting of microplastics in all matrices. Therefore, we are explicitly calling for proposals for
- Analytical method development including extraction and polymer identification of microscopic particulates from sediment, biota and water column.
- Interlaboratory studies (ring trials) aiming to validate, harmonise and standardise sampling techniques and analytical methods, including extraction, for sediments, biota and the water column. For the interlaboratory studies, the lower limit is set to 1 ?m. The interlaboratory study should aim to comprise a maximum of relevant laboratories from JPI Oceans member countries participating in a proposal submitted to this call. Laboratories in other member countries may be invited to participate with in-kind contributions.
2. Identification and quantification of microplastics
Various studies have demonstrated the ubiquitous presence of microplastics in marine habitats as well as the uptake of microplastics by various marine biotas. Microplastic litter is accumulating in the water column, sediments and biota. The following objectives should be addressed by submitted proposals and are required for a better understanding of the occurrence and spatial variability of microplastics in marine systems:
- Identification and quantification of microplastic in marine systems (water, sediment, biota) - spatial distribution of microplastic litter, supported by modelling studies
- Fragmentation, aggregation, sedimentation and deposition characteristics of plastic in order to
understand the fate of (micro)plastics in the marine environment.
3. Eco-toxicological effects of microplastic - impact on marine organisms
Several studies have shown that microplastic particles are taken up by marine organisms (e.g. zooplankton, invertebrates). However, the eco-toxicological effects are still widely unknown or under debate as previous studies display inconsistent findings.As microplastics adsorb persistent organic pollutants or harbour plasticisers, which are known to accumulate in the food web, the chemical equilibrium processes in the environment and more important, after ingestion of microplastics by organisms, are far from understood. Furthermore, although microplastics were already detected in a wide variety of biota, it is still unknown to what extent and how long (gut passage) the organisms are confronted with the particles in situ (concentration) and if selective feeding takes place (size). Hence realistic experimental scenarios have to be developed. The following objectives should be addressed in proposals aiming at a better understanding of the eco-toxicological effects of microplastics in marine systems:
- Description of particle toxicity effects (cytotoxicity, immunotoxicity, etc.) of microplastic exposure: cell, fluid, tissue, organism levels and studies of mechanisms of action, uptake and clearance
- Analysis of absorption and transportation of toxic organic and inorganic substances by microplastic particles
- Investigation of the transfer and accumulation of microplastics in the marine food web
- Investigation of possible effects of microplastics on the food web and links to other particle toxicity research - (cross-pollination with various other non-marine science fields).
Contact:
Dr. Uwe Selig
Project Management Juelich
Schweriner Str. 44
D-18 069 Rostock, Germany
Tel. +49 381 20356-295
Email: u.selig@fz-juelich.de
Further Information:
https://epss-jpi-oceans.ptj.de/lw_resource/datapool/_items/item_22/call_text_jpi_microplastics_website_20150119.pdf
- Validation and harmonisation of analytical methods
- Identification and quantification of microplastics
- Eco-toxicological effects of microplastic - impact on marine organisms
1. Validation and harmonisation of analytical methods
Quantifying microplastics is a relatively new and challenging analytical field. Method development and method validation are essential elements for proper analysis of new qualifiers in environmental
assessments. Microplastic is usually defined as particles with a diameter of less than 5 mm and
includes a broad spectrum of plastic polymers. Different analytical methods are required to detect the full size-spectrum down to the micrometer size. The first step in the identification is the extraction of micro-plastics from selected matrices (sediment, biota, water column). These procedures should include all kinds of plastic polymers and all measurable size fractions on the nano- and micro scale. There are still challenges related to the extraction and analysis steps, as well as harmonized reporting of microplastics in all matrices. Therefore, we are explicitly calling for proposals for
- Analytical method development including extraction and polymer identification of microscopic particulates from sediment, biota and water column.
- Interlaboratory studies (ring trials) aiming to validate, harmonise and standardise sampling techniques and analytical methods, including extraction, for sediments, biota and the water column. For the interlaboratory studies, the lower limit is set to 1 ?m. The interlaboratory study should aim to comprise a maximum of relevant laboratories from JPI Oceans member countries participating in a proposal submitted to this call. Laboratories in other member countries may be invited to participate with in-kind contributions.
2. Identification and quantification of microplastics
Various studies have demonstrated the ubiquitous presence of microplastics in marine habitats as well as the uptake of microplastics by various marine biotas. Microplastic litter is accumulating in the water column, sediments and biota. The following objectives should be addressed by submitted proposals and are required for a better understanding of the occurrence and spatial variability of microplastics in marine systems:
- Identification and quantification of microplastic in marine systems (water, sediment, biota) - spatial distribution of microplastic litter, supported by modelling studies
- Fragmentation, aggregation, sedimentation and deposition characteristics of plastic in order to
understand the fate of (micro)plastics in the marine environment.
3. Eco-toxicological effects of microplastic - impact on marine organisms
Several studies have shown that microplastic particles are taken up by marine organisms (e.g. zooplankton, invertebrates). However, the eco-toxicological effects are still widely unknown or under debate as previous studies display inconsistent findings.As microplastics adsorb persistent organic pollutants or harbour plasticisers, which are known to accumulate in the food web, the chemical equilibrium processes in the environment and more important, after ingestion of microplastics by organisms, are far from understood. Furthermore, although microplastics were already detected in a wide variety of biota, it is still unknown to what extent and how long (gut passage) the organisms are confronted with the particles in situ (concentration) and if selective feeding takes place (size). Hence realistic experimental scenarios have to be developed. The following objectives should be addressed in proposals aiming at a better understanding of the eco-toxicological effects of microplastics in marine systems:
- Description of particle toxicity effects (cytotoxicity, immunotoxicity, etc.) of microplastic exposure: cell, fluid, tissue, organism levels and studies of mechanisms of action, uptake and clearance
- Analysis of absorption and transportation of toxic organic and inorganic substances by microplastic particles
- Investigation of the transfer and accumulation of microplastics in the marine food web
- Investigation of possible effects of microplastics on the food web and links to other particle toxicity research - (cross-pollination with various other non-marine science fields).
Contact:
Dr. Uwe Selig
Project Management Juelich
Schweriner Str. 44
D-18 069 Rostock, Germany
Tel. +49 381 20356-295
Email: u.selig@fz-juelich.de
Further Information:
https://epss-jpi-oceans.ptj.de/lw_resource/datapool/_items/item_22/call_text_jpi_microplastics_website_20150119.pdf