Quantifying the influence of waste water treatment on the release of microplastics to the environment

微塑料污染了世界各地的水生生境，影响了包括具有重要商业价值的物种在内的各种生物，并可能导致细菌病原体的传播。《海洋战略框架》和英国政府的《25年环境计划》致力于最大限度地减少环境中的微塑料污染和积累，废水被确定为颗粒运输和释放的关键途径。然而，人们对不同的处理设施如何影响微塑料的保留或去除知之甚少，也没有标准的评估方法。该奖学金旨在开发微塑料定量方法，确定进入/离开处理设施的类型和数量，并检查与释放的细菌相关的细菌。学生将加入国际海洋垃圾研究单位，在微塑料研究的前沿，目前的项目调查微塑料污染和海洋垃圾的社会科学方面。我们的研究直接促进了英国和国际立法，并在REF 2014年，我们在地球系统和环境科学下的研究85%被列为世界领先或国际优秀。学生将直接受益于我们的工业/项目合作伙伴：UKWIR将提供与当地水务公司（约3个月）的实习机会，以及相关的行业培训。EA和DEFRA，他们将提供技术投入并有机会了解法规和政策。

Microplastics contaminate aquatic habitats worldwide, impacting on various organisms including commercially important species, and may contribute to the dissemination of bacterial pathogens. The Marine Strategy Framework and the UK Government's 25 Year Environmental Plan commits to minimising environmental microplastic contamination and accumulation, with wastewater identified as a key route in the transport and release of particles. However, little is known about how different treatment facilities influence retention or removal of microplastics, and no standard methods exist for their assessment. This studentship aims to develop methods for the quantification of microplastics, determine types and quantities entering/leaving treatment facilities, and examine the bacteria associated with those released. The student will join the International Marine Litter Research Unit, at the forefront of microplastic research, with current projects investigating aspects of microplastic contamination and the Social Science of marine litter. Our research has directly contributed to both UK and international legislation, and in REF2014, 85% of our research under in Earth Systems and Environmental Science was classified as world leading or internationally excellent. The student will directly benefit from our industrial/project partners: UKWIR who will provide a placement opportunity with a local water company (~3 months), and relevant industry training. EA and DEFRA who will offer technical input and the opportunity to gain understanding of regulation and policy.