Training the next generation of plastics pollution researchers: tools, skills and career perspectives in an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary field

Plastics pollution research attracts scientists from diverse disciplines. Many Early Career Researchers (ECRs) are drawn to this field to investigate and subsequently mitigate the negative impacts of plastics. Solving the multi-faceted plastic problem will always require breakthroughs across all levels of science disciplinarity, which supports interdisciplinary discoveries and underpins transdisciplinary solutions. In this context, ECRs have the opportunity to work across scientific discipline boundaries and connect with different stakeholders, including industry, policymakers and the public. To fully realize their potential, ECRs need to develop strong communication and project management skills to be able to effectively interface with academic peers and non-academic stakeholders. At the end of their formal education, many ECRs will choose to leave academia and pursue a career in private industry, government, research institutes or non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Here we give perspectives on how ECRs can develop the skills to tackle the challenges and opportunities of this transdisciplinary research field and how these skills can be transferred to different working sectors. We also explore how advisors can support an ECRs’ growth through inclusive leadership and coaching. We further consider the roles each party may play in developing ECRs into mature scientists by helping them build a strong foundation, while also critically assessing problems in an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary context. We hope these concepts can be useful in fostering the development of the next generation of plastics pollution researchers so they can address this global challenge more effectively

Monitoring anthropogenic particles in the environment: Recent developments and remaining challenges at the forefront of analytical methods

Anthropogenic particles at the microscale and nanoscale are posing risks to human health and the ecosystem. Engineered nanomaterials, microplastics and nanoplastics, soot, road and tire wear are a few prominent examples of particles that are either intentionally manufactured or incidentally produced and released into the environment. Analytical developments in the past few decades have made it possible to study particles in the microscale and nanoscale; however, there is still no universal protocol of analysis and caveats exist in the use of the most prominent techniques. The task is challenging because of the large variety of particle properties and the complexity of environmental media. This review discusses a selected group of techniques most likely to play a key role in future monitoring activities and their recent developments and inherent shortcomings. © 2021 The Author

Analysis of size characterized manganese species from liver extracts using capillary zone electrophoresis coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CZE-ICP-MS)

Mn is of toxicological concern because overexposure can lead to progressive, permanent neurodegenerative damage. Monomethyl-Mnpentadienyl-tricarbonyl (MMT) is used as an anti-knock agent in fuel. Exhausted Mn compounds are absorbed in the lung and transported tothe liver. Extended exposure causes an overflow of the liver with Mn species moving e.g. to the brain, causing irreversible central nervous system(CNS) disorders like Manganism.This paper focuses on experiments for getting more information on Mn species in liver extracts. The investigations are performed with respect to(1) a size characterization and (2) a subsequent identification of the Mn species in liver extracts using preparative size exclusion chromatography(SEC) followed by capillary zone electrophoresis coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CZE-ICP-MS). First, extracts wereanalyzed using a mass calibrated SEC column coupled to ICP-MS detection. The chromatogram showed the 55Mn-trace and proved main Mn elutionbetween ca. 60–150 kDa. Second, liver extracts were fractionated on the same SEC column, however, now the effluent was directed to a fractioncollector. This resulted in fractions containing pre-purified, size characterized Mn species per fraction. It turned out that the Mn concentrations perfraction reflected roughly the previous on-line Mn trace. Third, the fractions were subject to CZE-ICP-MS, where the MS was operated additionallywith dynamic reaction cell (DRC) technique. From size characterization (with SEC coupled on-line to ICP-MS or connected to a fraction collectorand subsequent Mn determination in fractions) it was shown that most Mn species from liver extract were of high molecular mass (HMM)nature as they eluted mostly between 50 and 80 min, corresponding to ca. 60–150 kDa. With the two-dimensional speciation approach employingfirst SEC and then CZE-ICP-DRC-MS together with standard addition method, a series of Mn species was identified. Mn species predominantlywere Mn-enzymes e.g. arginase, isocitric dehydrogenase, galactosyltransferase, prolidase, pyruvate carboxylase and oxalate oxidase. A typical Mntransporter– Mn-albumin – was also seen, whilst Mn-transferrin obviously was degraded during SEC separation. This Mn-compound (independentwhether as a standard or from liver extract) was not stable during SEC even at the finally chosen physiological conditions

CTD data profiling to assess the natural hazard of active submarine vent fields: the case of Santorini Island

A poster presented at the Geological Society of Greece Annual Conference, held in Athens, 22-24 May 201

Strategies for determining heteroaggregation attachment efficiencies of engineered nanoparticles in aquatic environments

Heteroaggregation of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) with suspended particulate matter (SPM) ubiquitous in natural waters often dominates the transport behaviour and overall fate of ENPs in aquatic environments. In order to provide meaningful exposure predictions and support risk assessment for ENPs, environmental fate and transport models require quantitative information about this process, typically in the form of the so-called attachment efficiency for heteroaggregation αhetero. The inherent complexity of heteroaggregation-encompassing at least two different particle populations, various aggregation pathways and several possible attachment efficiencies (α values)-makes its theoretical and experimental determination challenging. In this frontier review we assess the current state of knowledge on heteroaggregation of ENPs with a focus on natural surface waters. A theoretical analysis presents relevant equations, outlines the possible aggregation pathways and highlights different types of α. In a second part, experimental approaches to study heteroaggregation and derive α values are reviewed and three possible strategies are identified: I) monitoring changes in size, ii) monitoring number or mass distribution and iii) studying indirect effects, such as sedimentation. It becomes apparent that the complexity of heteroaggregation creates various challenges and no single best method for its assessment has been developed yet. Nevertheless, many promising strategies have been identified and meaningful data can be derived from carefully designed experiments when accounting for the different concurrent aggregation pathways and clearly stating the type of α reported. For future method development a closer connection between experiments and models is encouraged. © 2020 The Royal Society of Chemistry

Training the next generation of plastics pollution researchers: tools, skills and career perspectives in an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary field

Plastics pollution research attracts scientists from diverse disciplines. Many Early Career Researchers (ECRs) are drawn to this field to investigate and subsequently mitigate the negative impacts of plastics. Solving the multi-faceted plastic problem will always require breakthroughs across all levels of science disciplinarity, which supports interdisciplinary discoveries and underpins transdisciplinary solutions. In this context, ECRs have the opportunity to work across scientific discipline boundaries and connect with different stakeholders, including industry, policymakers and the public. To fully realize their potential, ECRs need to develop strong communication and project management skills to be able to effectively interface with academic peers and non-academic stakeholders. At the end of their formal education, many ECRs will choose to leave academia and pursue a career in private industry, government, research institutes or non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Here we give perspectives on how ECRs can develop the skills to tackle the challenges and opportunities of this transdisciplinary research field and how these skills can be transferred to different working sectors. We also explore how advisors can support an ECRs’ growth through inclusive leadership and coaching. We further consider the roles each party may play in developing ECRs into mature scientists by helping them build a strong foundation, while also critically assessing problems in an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary context. We hope these concepts can be useful in fostering the development of the next generation of plastics pollution researchers so they can address this global challenge more effectively.ISSN:2662-496

Towards a Comprehensive Evaluation of the Environmental and Health Impacts of Shipping Emissions

We present a new concept for marine research, applied in the EU-funded project EMERGE, “Evaluation, control and Mitigation of the EnviRonmental impacts of shippinG Emissions” (2020–2024; https://emerge-h2020.eu/). For the first time, both the various marine and atmospheric impacts of the shipping sector have been and will be comprehensively analyzed, using a concerted modelling and measurements framework. The experimental part of the project focuses on five European geographical case studies in different ecologically vulnerable regions, and a mobile onboard case study. The EMERGE consortium has also developed a harmonised and integrated modelling framework to assess the combined impacts of shipping emissions, both (i) on the marine ecosystems and (ii) the atmospheric environment. The first results include substantial refinements of a range of models to be applied, especially those for the STEAM and OpenDrift models. In particular, the STEAM (Ship Traffic Emission Assessment Model) model has been extended to allow for the effects of atmospheric and oceanographic factors on the fuel consumption and emissions of the ships. The OpenDrift model has been improved to take into account the partitioning, degradation, and volatilization of pollutants in water. The predicted emission and discharge values have been used as input for both regional scale atmospheric dispersion models, such as WRF-CMAQ (Weather Research and Forecasting—Community Multiscale Air Quality Model) and SILAM (System for Integrated modeLling of Atmospheric composition), and water quality and circulation models, such as OpenDrift (Open source model for the drifting of substances in the ocean) and Delft3D (oceanographic model). The case study regions are Eastern Mediterranean, Northern Adriatic Sea, the Lagoon of Aveiro, the Solent Strait and the Öresund Strait. We have also conducted a substantial part of the experimental campaigns scheduled in the project. The final assessment will include the benefits and costs of control and mitigation options affecting water quality, air pollution exposure, health impacts, climate forcing, and ecotoxicological effects and bioaccumulation of pollutants in marine biota