Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/K007521/1
[WATER] Assessing the fate of microplastics derived from industrial and domestic products in the waste water treatment process.
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Dr JJ Ojeda, Brunel University London, Unlisted
- Grant held at:
- Brunel University London, Unlisted
- Science Area:
- Freshwater
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Freshwater
- ENRIs:
- Natural Resource Management
- Pollution and Waste
- Science Topics:
- None
- Abstract:
- Global plastic production is now estimated at 280 million tons per year (Plastic-Europe 2012). As a consequence of this increasing global demand, synthetic thermoplastics (e.g., polyethylene) comprise the most abundant and rapidly growing component of anthropogenic debris entering and accumulating in terrestrial and aquatic habitats worldwide. Nowadays, industrial and domestic products have become two of the most rapidly growing sources of microplastic particles entering into the water system. They include polymeric fibres released by washing of synthetic clothing and also, hand, body, and facial cleansers that contain tiny polyethylene and polystyrene particles with less than 1 mm in diameter. The average consumer now has a microplastic-containing product in their home and uses it on a daily basis. For example, the majority of facial cleansers in supermarkets list polyethylene as an ingredient, present in forms described as ''micro-beads", ''microbead formula" or ''micro exfoliates". This is becausemicroplastics have now replaced the more expensive natural exfoliating materials (e.g. oatmeal, apricot or walnut husks) in body and facial cleansers. This increased use of domestic products containing microplastic particles gives raise to the assumption that such particles will - at least to some extent - be found in the environment with unknown consequences for the long term. The objective of this PhD project is to advance the understanding of the fate of microplastics derived from industrial and domestic products in the municipal waste water treatment process, and assess the transfer of such particles into the environment via freshwater release and soil application (via sludge/biosolids). Currently, the quantification of microplastic particles in the environment has revealed mixed results ranging from stable to increasing concentrations. It needs to be noted that robust and consistent methodology is only starting to emerge, with most data being available for the marine environment. However, one major gap in the analysis of the fate of microplastics derived from industrial and domestic products is the assessment of amounts released into the environment after wastewater treatment. A very important factor to be considered is that bacterial colonisation can change the properties of microplastic particles, i.e. it can change the density of the particles thus making them heavier. This might lead to a higher fraction of particles found in bio-solids before treated water is released into the environment. Furthermore, the icroorganism-rich wastewater environment might contain organisms favouring colonisation of particles. This leads to the question if microorganisms prevalent in waste water treatment plants can degrade microplastic particles as has been described for mangrove soil as well as for specific bacteria like Rhodococcus ruber. Being an interdisciplinary studentship, the student will benefit from a variety of research training including high resolution microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, molecular characterisation of bacteria (sequencing), wastewater treatment, experimental programme design and execution and expert state-of-the-art instruction in analytical chemistry, instrumental analysis and microbiology. The student will fully participate in the Graduate School's Brunel University training programme (including the Institute of Physics accredited courses in electron microscopy, surface analysis and materials characterisation), and attend and present work at national and international conferences. In addition, the student will have the opportunity to work with the Fera scientists, at the forefront of molecular biology methods and of studies of the fate and behaviour of contaminants in the environment. The student will also get an impression on Fera's applied research leading to science solutions for private and public sectors.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/K007521/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- DTG - directed
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Open CASE
This training grant award has a total value of £76,076
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Fees | Total - RTSG | Total - Student Stipend |
|---|---|---|
| £13,978 | £5,905 | £56,193 |
If you need further help, please read the user guide.