Diskussionspapier

Microplastics Analytics

Sampling, Preparation and Detection Methods

Publication: Document
Citation: Braun, Ulrike; Jekel, Martin; Gerdts, Gunnar; Ivleva, Natalia; Reiber, Jens (2018): Discussion Paper Microplastics Analytics. Sampling, Preparation and Detection Methods. Discussion paper published in the course of the research focus "Plastics in the Environment – Sources • Sinks • Solutions". Berlin: Ecologic Institute.

This discussion paper, edited by Ecologic Institute, presents the physicochemical investigation methods used in the research focus "Plastics in the Environment", in particular for the analysis of microplastics. Therefore, representatives of the joint research projects discussed methods and analytical approaches to identify validated methods and comparable results in the various projects. The discussion paper reflects the current state the debate within the research focus. It contributes to a pool of methods that are as standardised as possible for the relevant application fields in science, industry, and administration and is available for download.

Work on the discussion paper is to be continued in the further course of the research focus. In addition, the findings are to be incorporated into national and international standardization efforts (ISO / CEN / DIN standard).

Eleven joint research projects, as well as representatives of some external projects, were involved in the preparation of the discussion paper.

The discussion paper was developed under the crosscutting issue "Methods for sampling, sample preparation, and analysis (incl. reference materials)" of the research focus "Plastics in the Environment – Sources • Sinks • Solutions" and is available for Download [pdf, 560 kB, English].

The discussion paper "Microplastics Analytics" is one of the first published, cross-project results of the research focus "Plastics in the Environment".

Towards an Effective Science-Policy Interface for a Global Plastics Treaty

Year 2024

Publication:Policy Brief

Amidst intense global efforts to tackle plastic pollution, the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty highlights the critical role of reducing primary plastic polymers. The Scientists' Coalition, consisting of leading scientists worldwide, argues in its latest policy brief that without a significant reduction in the production of these polymers, the effective fight against plastic pollution is not possible. The urgent call aims to draw attention to the need to break the plastic cycle at its source - the production of primary plastic polymers. This approach is crucial as it directly reduces the amount of plastics that end up in our environment.

Primary Plastic Polymers: Urgently needed upstream reduction

Year 2024

Presentation:Speech

On 13 March 2024, Doris Knoblauch (Ecologic Institute) gave a lecture on "Plastics and the Environment" highlighting the need for a global plastics treaty at a postgraduate course, where 21 experts from ministries, authorities, municipalities, non-governmental organizations and industry from low-income countries and emerging economies were represented and exchanged. The focus was on why plastic pollution is a problem and why we urgently need an international, legally binding plastics treaty.

Plastics & the Environment – Why We Need a Plastics Treaty

13 March 2024
Doris Knoblauch

News

Doris Knoblauch was an observer at the negotiations in Nairobi during the week and, as part of the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty (Scientist's Coalition for short), provided various negotiating delegations with scientific information. The Scientist's Coalition is an independent network of scientists around the world who conduct research on plastics, chemicals, and health, covering various disciplines and aspects. A team was on site to answer open questions quickly, scientifically and independently.

UN Negotiations on a Potential Plastics Agreement were Stuck in Nairobi

A long way to go

13 - 19 November 2023

Publication:Article

Plastics Treaty Text Must Center Ecosystems

Letter in Science

Year 2023

Publication:Article

This article illustrates the communication strategies that were successfully applied in the citizen science program Plastic Pirates in Germany. The program engages schoolchildren, teachers and youth groups in plastic pollution research. A variety of communication strategies have been implemented and continuously revised and adapted since the start of the program in 2016.

Sharing Communication Insights of the Citizen Science Program Plastic Pirates

Best practices from 7 years of engaging schoolchildren and teachers in plastic pollution research

Year 2023

News

Photo, taken during the plastic negotiations. Text "Help us to empower the independent voice of science by supporting our involvement in the plastics treaty negotiations" and a donation button

Ecologic Institute is a UN-accredited voice for a global plastics agreement. But we lack funding for the next decisive round of negotiations in Busan (South Korea) in November 2024. By participating, we are contributing to counteracting lobbying and enabling delegates to be properly informed. In Ottawa, we are currently providing specialist information on the effects of plastic production and consumption. Your donation will enable us to strengthen independent science and continue this important work!

Strengthen the Independent Voice of Science

Support our participation in the global plastics negotiations!

22 April 2024

News

After the euphoria had been dampened at the beginning of the negotiation week in Paris, there was a good result in the end: The Chair H.E. Mr. Gustavo Adolfo Meza-Cuadra Velasquez and the INC Secretariat were given a mandate to present a first draft ("zero draft") in the run-up to the next negotiations. This is an important next step. Doris Knoblauch accompanied the INC-2 negotiations in Paris for Ecologic Institute.

Why the Negotiations on the UN Plastics Agreement in Paris were a Success

An important step

29 May - 2 June 2023

Publication:Book

For many people, plastic bottles have become an indispensable part of everyday life. However, the production and throwing away of plastic bottles is harmful to the environment and the climate. Ideally, PET bottles are recycled and reused. But what happens to the bottles during the recycling process? "Die Geisterstunde" by Christian Tielmann is the third PIXI book produced as part of the BMBF research focus "Plastics in the Environment" with Stiftung Lesen and Carlsen Verlag and is dedicated to the recycling of plastic bottles.

Die Geisterstunde

Year 2023

Languages: German

English
Authorship: Dr. Ulrike Braun (Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung)

Prof. i. R., Dr.-Ing. Martin Jekel (Technische Universität Berlin)

Dr. Gunnar Gerdts (Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research)

Dr. Natalia P. Ivleva (Institut für Wasserchemie & Chemische Balneologie (IWC), Lehrstuhl für Analytische Chemie und Wasserchemie, TU München)

Dr. Jens Reiber (WESSLING GmbH)
Credits: Editors: Dr. Ulf Stein and Hannes Schritt (Ecologic Institute)
Funding: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Germany
Year: 2018
Dimension: 23 pp.
Project: Scientific Coordination of Research Projects on "Plastics in the Environment – Sources • Sinks • Solutions" (PlastikNet)
Project ID: 2295
Table of contents: Click to show full table of contents

1. Motivation/objective
2. Recommended approach
2.1 General recommendations for all analytical steps
2.2 Identification of the goal and task of MP analysis
2.3 Selection of the detection method related to the problem
2.4 Identification of sampling procedure with respect to the environmental medium
2.5 Identification of sample preparation with respect to detection and environmental medium
3. Appendix
Keywords: Plastics

Resource Conservation + Circular Economy

Water

Microplastics, Soil, Sewage, Surface water

Germany

Analytics, Methods development, Methodology of analyses, Method validation, Detection methods

Further Links

ProjectScientific Coordination of Research Projects on "Plastics in the Environment – Sources • Sinks • Solutions" (PlastikNet)

In the framework of the scientific accompanying research (PlastikNet) of the research focus "Plastics in the Environment – Sources • Sinks • Solutions" (Plastik in der Umwelt – Quellen • Senken • Lösungsansätze) Ecologic Institute coordinated 20 joint research projects,... Read more

Scientific Coordination of Research Projects on "Plastics in the Environment – Sources • Sinks • Solutions" (PlastikNet)

Duration: Sep 2017 - Jun 2023
Funding: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Germany

EventWorkshopSampling, Sample Preparation and Analysis of Microplastics

Around 50 scientists from twelve collaborative projects of the research focus on plastics in the environment met for a first exchange on sampling, sample preparation and analysis of microplastics at the Water Technology Center (TZW) in Karlsruhe. The workshop, organized... Read more

Workshop:Sampling, Sample Preparation and Analysis of Microplastics

Date: 21 - 22 March 2018
Location: Karlsruhe, Germany

Website of the research focus "Plastics in the Environment – Sources • Sinks • Solutions"