This WP ensures that the research project achieves its objectives on time and according to the agreed conditions and that the results are in line with the work plan in terms of goals and resources, as well as their dissemination. The following activities are planned:

WP1.1 Project Management

WP1.2 Communication

Freshwater habitats occupy a very small part of the Earth's surface, but at the same time support extraordinary biodiversity. They are, however, among the most threatened ecosystems due to human activities and climate change. MPs are considered among the most dangerous emerging anthropogenic contaminants because of their ubiquitous nature and persistence in the environment.

The goal of WP2 is to have an initial identification of the presence of microplastics in some South Tyrolean freshwater ecosystems in order to identify lesser known but increasingly important or persistent sources of pollution. It is proposed to define more precisely the amount and composition of microplastics in various environmental matrices: surface water (river and lake), groundwater, water of meteoric origin (rain and/or snow), drinking water (springs and wells), and river sediments. Finally, the study of MP bioaccumulation phenomena in the trophic chain through ingestion processes by riverine aquatic fauna is included in this WP. In this regard, organisms of the benthic macroinvertebrate community having different feeding habits and preferences will be considered, but also some specimens of the local fish fauna as indicators at a higher trophic level.

The sampling methodologies developed under WP2 will be critical for the acquisition of new knowledge and the implementation of existing knowledge in anticipation of future regulatory demands for MP monitoring. It will also provide for the creation of a database containing data on the characterization and spread of MPs in South Tyrol that does not currently exist in Italy.

The following activities are planned:

WP2.1 Identifying the presence of microplastics in the water resource: in situ sampling and sample preparation.

WP2.2 Quantification of microplastics in river sediments: collection and preparation of samples.

WP2.3 Collection and preparation of biological samples concerning benthic macroinvertebrates.

WP2.4 Collection and preparation of biological samples concerning fish fauna.

WP2.5 Data processing and results.

The objectives of this WP are to determine which is the best sampling and sample preparation procedure for the different matrices (water, sludge, biota), as well as to determine which is the best analytical procedure to recognise the chemical nature and quantify the number of MP particles in the various size classes, using the available analytical techniques.

Several analytical protocols for identifying and quantifying MPs are available in the literature. The size of the MPs to be analysed, the ability to determine certain MP properties, but also the type of sample available guide the choice of analytical technique and instrumentation. In our approach, practically all available techniques are used, ranging from microscopy, microscopy coupled to infrared spectrometry (FTIR/LDIR), or microscopy coupled to Raman spectrometry and chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (Pyr-GC/MS), in order to compensate for the analytical limitations of the various techniques and better assess the characteristics of MPs and NPs.

The following activities are planned:

WP3.1 Detection of microplastics in freshwater and sediment by microscopy (Methodology already used by the Biological Laboratory).

WP3.2 Optimisation of sample preparation of various matrices for determination by FTIR, Raman and Pyr/GC-MS.

WP3.3 Optimisation of the instrumental analysis and determination of the content in samples of microplastics (particle number and size, chemical identification of polymers) with a minimum size of up to 1μm with FTIR and Raman.

WP3.4 Optimisation of instrumental analysis and content determination in samples with pyrolyser/GC-MS of nanoplastics (mass quantification with chemical identification of polymers) with a minimum size of less than 1μm.

WP3.5 Processing of instrumental data obtained from the different analytical techniques (FTIR, RAMAN, Pyr/GC-MS) and creation of reports with sampling/sample data.

There are several scientific publications attesting to the partial efficiency of biological wastewater treatment plants in removing MP. Most MP, during the wastewater treatment process, is incorporated into the sewage sludge and then permanently removed if the sludge undergoes thermal treatment. A residual part of MP is, however, found in the effluent of the wastewater treatment plant, which is fed into a water receptor and thus reaches the aquatic environment. In fact, additional treatment is required to eliminate the microplastics present, according to studies carried out so far. The aim of this WP is to examine the process of different plants in order to obtain an accurate estimate of the retention capacity of microplastic particles. In detail, the dosing and monitoring of MPs at the inlet, outlet and in sewage sludge in civil wastewater treatment plants will be carried out. In addition, different sampling techniques, both point and average sampling, will be compared. Subsequently, in several civil sewage treatment plants a filtration system will be tested for MP abatement before the treated effluent is discharged into surface waters. The process optimisation results will come together to develop a useful tool in the management of existing plants to minimise emissions of MP.

The following activities are planned:

WP4.1 Correlation study between plant conditions and concentration of micro- and nanoplastics in sludge and effluent.

WP4.2 Dosage and monitoring of microplastics in civil wastewater treatment plants.

WP4.3 Comparison of point vs. average sampling.

WP4.4 Development, implementation and verification of the efficiency of the filtration system on different plants.