Behaviour and effect of microplastics in the land surface-atmosphere system (B05)

• Subject Area: Oceanography
• Term: since 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 391977956

B05 investigates and evaluates within the CRC 1357 the environmental relevance of atmospherically aged and transported microplastic (MP). To this end, the method already developed in the 1st funding period for the quantitative and reproducible detection of MP in the wind tunnel will be used to determine resuspension rates of realistic MP particles (e.g. fibres, aged MP, and MP with Eco-Corona) from naturally structured surfaces. In addition, ageing is simulated for the first time on the same selection of MP particles under typical atmospheric conditions, i.e., weathering under exposure to atmospheric radicals (ozone and OH), and characterised via the outgassing of volatile hydrocarbon compounds. Finally, an integrative methodological component is the implementation of the experimental results on transport behaviour and ageing in turbulence-based atmospheric modelling and thus the possibility to investigate questions relevant to the entire SFB 1357, e.g., water or soil mesocosms.

• 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. Andreas B. Held, until 12/2022; Professorin Dr. Anke Nölscher; Professor Dr. Christoph Thomas