Improved methods for determination of transport processes of microplastics in groundwater resources (GWMicroPlast)

Microplastics (MPs) have received considerable attention as a new emerging pollutant. They are recognised as one of the important factors in environmental pollution. Although MPs have been identified as a pollutant in the freshwater environment, only a few recent studies identified them in groundwater (GW). MPs enter the GW as well as drinking water due to various anthropogenic activities on the surface of the aquifer. Among the emerging pollutants today, MPs are one of the most demanding substances when it comes to understanding their transport within aquifers. The purpose of this research is to develop new detection methods (to reduce the LOD for MPs) and to identify transport processes and origin of MPs in GW resources. This will take an innovative approach, which will be achieved by different tools. Part of the research will focus on innovations in MPs sampling method and analysis in GW. Due to expected low MP concentrations in GW and increasing of MP particles number with decreasing its size, new modern technologies will be implemented in MP sampling and analysis procedures, which will be useful also in standard development. Large volume of GW will be filtered through cascade filter system directly at sampling location and MPs will be identified, characterized and quantified via digital microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) coupled with Raman. Special attention will be paid to the study of the dynamic processes of MPs in the unsaturated zone (UZ) of gravel aquifer with experimental work in lysimeter. The transport parameters of different categories of MPs (filaments, fragments, films, pellets and florescence microspheres) will be studied performing a tracer experiment in the lysimeter- field laboratory under real environmental conditions. MPs properties will be estimate with inverse model simulations using Hydrus 1-D. In order to determine the aquifer vulnerability related to MPs contamination, we will upgrade MPs identifications in GW with transport parameters results from tracer experiment in lysimeter. Within the framework of the project, we will investigate the entire pathway of the MPs through the aquifer, starting from the source, to the transport in the UZ and down to the detection of the MPs in GW. The presence of MPs will be determined in different types of aquifers. The anthropogenic activities in the recharge area of each sampling site will be analysed by the land use. Using different statistical analysis (multivariate and geostatistical), inverse numerical (Hydrus1-D) and spatial (GIS) modelling we will determine links between the occurrence of MPs and other pollutants as persistent organic pollutants in GW, their properties, the source, the dynamics in the GW and the hydrogeological conditions. We will focus on understanding the processes of migration MPs through the aquifer and their presence in GW resources. Proposed approach, by integrating the experimental results and detection of GW pollution, has the potential to greatly increase the accuracy of MPs GW pollution assessment. New knowledge will allow a comparison with globally available data and fill in knowledge gaps concerning transport of MPs in aquifers. This project has numerous elements of novelty, which will stimulate further research in optimization and innovation in a MPs aquifer pollution. High applicability of this project is shown by collaboration with Slovenian and international research institutions. All have excellent references, the equipment and have successfully completed projects, all of which is a sound support for carrying out the proposed research.