Microplastics in Soils

A threat for human health and the environment?

Event: Conference

Digital Event
Date: 19 - 20 October 2022
Location: online, Berlin, Germany

The international conference provided an opportunity to learn and exchange knowledge on the topic of microplastics in soils, and was aimed at scientists and decision-makers alike. The first day of the event focused on the state of the science, the second day on identifying policy solutions and recommendations for action at the European and international level.

This hybrid event took place on 19 and 20 October 2022.

As a result of the conference, concrete recommendations for policy action were derived. To achieve this, the content of the conference divided into three thematic areas:

behavior and effects of plastics in soils;
detection of plastics in soils;
deduction of the need for political action.

Ecologic Institute organised the conference as a hybrid event, which was attended by 60 people on site and up to 150 people online. The event was recorded and broadcasted live on the Federal Environment Agency's YouTube channel.

Research has shown that soils are a major sink for microplastics.

Microplastics in Soils – International Conference

A threat for human health and the environment?

Jan - Dec 2022

Conference:Theme Day: Plastic in the Environment

Date: 6 May 2022
Location: Berlin, Germany

EventDigital EventPlastics in the Environment (PlastikNet) – Webinar Series

Ecologic Institute

Plastic waste in cities, in the landscape, in rivers, on beaches, and eventually in the oceans – the presence of plastics in the environment is immediately and negatively visible. Entry pathways into the environment and environmental impacts of plastic are diverse and... Read more

Digital Event:Plastics in the Environment (PlastikNet) – Webinar Series

Date: 2 June 2022
Location: online

EventConferenceMicroplastics in the Water Cycle (MiWA) – Final conference

On 10 September 2019, the final conference of the project "Mikroplastik im Wasserkreislauf" (Microplastics in the Water Cycle, MaWi for short) took place in Karlsruhe. The project results were presented and discussed at the event. A poster exhibition was also... Read more

Conference:Microplastics in the Water Cycle (MiWA) – Final conference

Date: 10 September 2019
Location: Karlsruhe, 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

PublicationDocumentMicroplastics Analytics

Diskussionspapier

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... Read more

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.

PublicationDocumentStatus Report Analysis of Microplastics

Ecologic Institute

This status report was prepared within the framework of the cross-cutting issue 1 "Analytics and reference materials" of the research focus Plastics in the Environment. It summarizes the contents of the project discussions and coordination within the cross-cutting issue... Read more

Braun, Ulrike & Stein, Ulf & Schritt, Hannes & Altmann, Korinna & Bannick, Claus Gerhard & Becker, Roland & Bitter, Hajo & Bochow, Mathias & Dierkes, Georg & Enders, Kristina et al. (2021): Analysis of Microplastics. Sampling, Preparation and Detection Methods. Status Report within the framework program Plastics in the Environment.

PublicationInfographicAre Microplastics Harmful?

Graphical illustration of potential impacts of microplastics in the environment.

Are microplastics harmful? The ecotoxicological assessment of microplastics in the environment is a complex task

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Whether or not microplastics have harmful effects on plants and animals has not yet been conclusively established. The different properties of microplastics determine whether and how the microplastics are absorbed by living organisms and whether they are harmful to them... Read more

Ecologic Institute (2022): Plastics in the Environment. Are microplastics harmful? Infographic CC-BY 4.0. Online: https://bmbf-plastik.de/en/publication/are-microplastics-harmful

Website of the international conference: Microplastics in Soils – A threat for human health and the environment?

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