Fundamentals of phytoremediation of microplastics from soils and sediments

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Kathrin Harre
• Subject Area: Soil Sciences ; Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Limnology, Urban Water Management, Water Chemistry, Integrated Water Resources Management ; Ecology and Biodiversity of Plants and Ecosystems ; Polymer Materials
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 558546608

Research topic: The description of the accumulation of microplastics (MP) on and in plant roots gives rise to the hope that the principle of phytoremediation established for environmental pollutants can be used to remove MP from the environment. However, the basic principles required to design the technology have only been partially investigated and understood. Therefore, as a prerequisite for the development of phytoremediation processes, we want to investigate the fundamentals of the effect of MP on soil quality and processes at the interface of vegetation and water dynamics using the example of floodplains. The aim of the project is to understand processes in soils and sediments that are altered by the accumulation of MP on and in vegetation stands. This includes the influences of MP on carbon turnover, spatial and temporal distribution and behavioural dynamics of MP in floodplains as well as the importance of plants for the removal of MP, including the necessary adaptation, development and optimization of required analytical methods, using the example of selected floodplains of a heavily anthropogenically influenced federal waterway (Elbe) in comparison to the only preserved wild river system in Europe, the Vjosa.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Albania
• Co-Investigators: Professor Dr. Arne Cierjacks; Professor Thomas Grischek, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Christian Siewert
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Sajmir Beqiraj