Overview
In the German-Danish border region, thousands of tonnes of plastic are released into the environment every year. No one knows where these materials end up or how dangerous they are to the environment and human health. The PlastTrack project aims to investigate these questions and develop tools to combat plastic pollution.
PlastTrack seeks to prevent further uncontrolled releases of microplastics and nanoplastics by providing tools that can track the pathways of plastic waste and support the development of environmental product declarations. The project will develop a technology platform, automate detection processes, and digitise the analysis of microplastics and nanoplastics.
PlastTrack will create a toolbox for monitoring the transformation and degradation of materials in the environment, including at the nanoscale. This will facilitate the assessment of recyclability and provide incentives for sustainable design and the safe development of products.
Experts from both sides of the Danish-German border
There are many ways to measure plastic particles. However, the smaller the particles become, the more closely they resemble other substances of organic origin, requiring very different methods for detecting plastics. For this reason, the project brings together specialists in nanotechnology, oceanography, imaging, and spectral analysis.
Partners
• Mads Clausen Institute - University of Southern Denmark
• Alfred Wegener Institut
• GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
• SDU, Danish Molecular Biomedical Imaging Center
• Newtec A/S
The project aims to achieve the following results:
1. A standardised procedure for sampling microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) in aquatic environments.
2. An open platform for comparing and evaluating data from different laboratories.
3. Analysis of MNP interactions with environmental factors and their transport in aquatic systems, from surface waters to sediment sinks.
4. Collection of data from sector-specific activities related to the release of MNPs.
5. Life cycle assessment protocols to support local stakeholders and initiatives related to environmentally responsible and green transformation.
