Microplastic Atmospheric Deposition Assessment using Moss in Europe (MADAME)

Under the MADAME pilot project, collaborators from more than 30 European countries have collected samples of moss to evaluate their use as a biomonitor for the atmospheric deposition of microplastics. Under the Globalink Research Award, Mehriban Jafarova (PhD Candidate, University of Siena) will visit Trent University to collaborate with Prof. Julian Aherne on the extraction and identification of microplastics in moss samples obtained from collaborators across Europe (approximately 100 samples). These samples will be further analysed at Trent university to identify the microplastic polymer type using FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectroscopy. The MADAME project has three objectives: (1) to evaluate the use of moss as a biomonitor for atmospheric microplastic deposition, (2) to compare methods for microplastic extraction and identification, and (3) to assess the signature (abundance and type) of microplastic deposition across Europe. It is anticipated that the pilot project will lead to several (high-ranking) peer-reviewed publications and funding for a larger scale project.

Faculty Supervisor:

Julian Aherne

Student:

Partner:

University of Siena

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Environmental Science and Technology; Sustainability & the Environment; Life Sciences (not health)

University:

Trent University

Program: