Global Change Colloquium: Mind the gap - focus on white spots in soil microplastic research. Dr. Colin Weber (TU Darmstadt)

Abstract:

During the last decade, microplastic pollution of soils has gained increasing attention from scientist and stakeholders. Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNP) poses different risks to soil systems, including effects on soil structure, soil organisms and plant growth. Despite increasing efforts within the method development for MNP extraction and analysis from soils as well as the investigation of MNP effects on soil environments within experimental setups, our knowledge about the occurrence, fate and effects of MNP in soils is still restricted. One reason for this is the fact that research has so far focused primarily on arable soils, where large MNP emissions and strong effects are most likely. However, large white spots remain in the detection of microplastics in soil systems like forest soils or special culture soils. In addition, biogeochemical processes effecting MNPs within soils are largely unknown. My talk will therefore focus on research approaches and methodological developments for MNP analysis as well as experimental approaches to reveal MNP white spots in soil systems.

Location: CIV 060 (basement), RPTU in Landau

or: uni-kl-de.zoom-x.de/j/62164516088

Start: 18:00