Junior Scientists Group NALEWA: Detection and uptake of nanoplastics via food and drinking water
Nanoplastics are defined as plastic particles smaller than 1 µm. Due to their small size, they can spread particularly easily in environmental media and biological systems and have the potential to overcome biological barriers. At the same time, reliably detecting them is analytically very challenging, meaning that there are still significant gaps in our knowledge regarding their occurrence, exposure and potential health effects. An important potential route of exposure for humans is oral exposure via food and drinking water.
Project objectives
Within the framework of NALEWA, an assessment of the risk of nanoplastics entering plant-based food and feed, as well as drinking water, in Saxony is to be carried out; an initial analysis of the current situation is to be conducted; and prevention and protection measures are to be identified. The following objectives are being pursued:
- Public relations: Promoting an objective discussion amongst the general public and within professional circles through training programmes and events
- Analytical detection: Development of standard methods for the identification and quantification of nanoplastics in water and plant samples
- Reference materials: Development of reference and standard materials for nanoplastics, including aged and labelled particles
- Enrichment methods: Improvement of methods for enriching nanoplastics in water samples using filtration and centrifugation
- Quantification: Optimisation of flow cytometry for the quantification of nanoplastic particles in water samples
- Plant uptake: Investigation of the uptake of nanoplastics by plants and their distribution and accumulation within the plant
- Simulation: Development of numerical models to simulate the interactions of nanoplastics with biological cells
- Assessment of the risk of nanoplastic intake via food and drinking water, and presentation of the current state of knowledge regarding risk minimisation, prevention and protection.
Junior Scientists
| Name |
Telephone (0351 462 - ) | Room | Tasks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eutin, Tim (M.Sc.) | 2152 | P2 211 | ||
| Kretschmar, Oliver (M.Sc.) | 3278 | A 301 | Polymer chemisty, Microplastic-analysis | |
| Landmann, Lara (M.Sc.) | 2028 | U 202 | Nano-/microplastics | |
| Michaelis, Mareike (M.Sc.) | 2047 | U 202 | Nanoplastics, Water Analysis | |
| Mickan, Philipp (Dr. rer. nat.) | 2191 | A 413 | ||
| Kurzweg, Lucas (M.Sc.) | 2451 | A 301 | Microplastic in the environment |
Project Coordination
Projektlaufzeit: 01.11.2025 bis 31.10.2028
Förderkennzeichen: 100779581