Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) serve as an important route of microplastics (MPs) to the environment. Therefore, more effective MPs sampling and detection methodologies, as well as a better understanding of their influence on MPs occurrence and distributions in WWTP effluents, are needed for be...

Microplastic fibres (MPFs) often make up the largest fraction of microplastic pollution in aquatic environments, yet little is known about their degradative fate and persistence. This study investigates the environmentally relevant photodegradation of common MPFs: polyester (PET), polyamide (PA) and...

The MICROFIBRE project integrates natural sciences and social sciences to assess and reduce emissions of microplastic fibres to the environment. We have engaged relevant stakeholders in a combined participatory modelling approach using Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping and Scenario Development to identify key...

Many small- or medium-sized communities in Northern Europe employ only primary wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and effluent discharges can be a relevant source of pollution. The current study combines monitoring and modelling approaches to investigate concentrations, influent patterns, size dist...

In this study, the effects of aged Ag and TiO₂ NPs, individually and as a mixture, in wastewater relative to their pristine counterparts on the development of the copepod nauplii (Tisbe battagliai) were investigated. NP behavior in synthetic wastewater and seawater was characterized during aging and...

The widespread ocean contamination by plastic materials is cause of increasing concerns on the potential detrimental consequences they might produce on marine ecosystems. Although many recent studies addressed ingestion and effects of micro/nanoplastics on most marine taxa, the risks posed by leache...

Crumb rubber granulate (CRG) produced from end of life tires (ELTs) is commonly applied on indoor and outdoor synthetic turf pitches (STPs), playgrounds, safety surfaces and walkways. In addition to fillers, stabilizers, cross-linking agents and secondary components (e.g. pigments, oils, resins, fib...

Most thermoplastics contain a variety of additive chemicals that can represent a high percentage of the final plastic materials (up to 50%). The current study characterised the chemical content of freshwater and marine leachates produced from CTR, PP, PET, PS and PVC, and assessed their adverse effe...