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When it comes to understanding the circulation of microplastics (MP) in the geosphere and its transport through different geological media, MP is one of the biggest challenges among modern pollutants today. The aim of this research is to improve methods for determining the occurrence, transport processes and origin of MP in groundwater (GW) sources. Using an innovative approach and different tools, part of the research will focus on innovations in sampling and analysing MP in GW, with a particular emphasis on investigating the dynamic processes of MP in the unsaturated zone (UZ) of gravel aquifers through experimental work in a lysimeter. The transport parameters of different MP categories (filaments, fragments, films, pellets and fluorescent microspheres) will be analysed by conducting a tracer experiment in a field laboratory (lysimeter).

The project will analyse the entire pathway of MP through the aquifer, from the source, the transport within UZ, to determination in the GW. Through various statistical analyses (multivariate and geostatistical), inverse numerical (Hydrus1-D) and spatial (GIS) modelling, we will establish the relationship between the occurrence of MP and other contaminants, their properties, their source, their dynamics in the GW and the hydrogeological conditions. These new insights will allow comparison with globally available data and close knowledge gaps regarding the transport of MP in aquifers. The project brings a number of innovations that will encourage further research to optimise and innovate in the field of MP contamination of aquifers.

Main project objectives:

• develop innovative and useful methods for monitoring microplastics in groundwater;
• identify the occurrence of microplastics in different groundwater sources;
• determine the influence of hydrogeological conditions on the occurrence of microplastics in aquifers;
• determine the transport parameters of microplastics in gravel UZ by experimental work in a lysimeter;
• determine the migration processes of microplastics through the aquifer;
• determine the influence of unsaturated zone on the contamination of the aquifer with microplastics;
• investigate the interactions between persistent organic pollutants and microplastics;
• establish links between the occurrence of microplastics in the GW and the source of contamination, water dynamics and hydrogeological conditions.