Hands-On Analysis of Microplastics in complex matrices (2024)

This course will take place in Aalborg, this is not an online course. 

For the online course please see: https://phd.moodle.aau.dk/course/view.php?id=2466

Welcome to Hands-On Analysis of Microplastics in complex matrices

Description: Analyzing microplastics requires thorough knowledge on analytical techniques and approaches, but also a deep understanding the practical implementation of the procedures in the field and the lab. This PhD course focuses on the hands-on part of the work.

The course will start with a short introduction to selected sampling methods, after which we go sampling. The participants will collect a marine or freshwater sample by means of filtering devices or nets, and sample marine or freshwater sediments by grabs or corers. The samples are taken to the lab and analysis begins. As microplastics analysis takes many weeks per sample, we supplement the analysis of the sample you have collected with pre-prepared samples – a cooking show approach. After having prepared the samples, you will get hands-on experience in FTIR analysis of large and small particles (ATR-FTIR and μFTIR imaging, respectively) as well as introductions to μRaman spectroscopy and Pyr-GC/MS. The course will be concluded by interpreting the obtained data. We provide our solution for it in the software siMPle, which is used for (semi-)automated μFTIR imaging and Raman imaging data interpretation. You will be taught how it works and will get first-hand experience during our practice session.

Prerequisites: This course requires that you document the necessary theoretical background. For example, by having attended the PhD course “Microplastic Research - Analytical Methods for Microplastic Quantification (2024)” also held at Aalborg University, attained one of the previous year’s courses on microplastics analysis at Aalborg University, or similar activities and backgrounds.

Learning objectives:

This hands- On PhD course aims to provide PhD students at both national and international level with the practical skills and in-depth knowledge essential to conducting microplastic research in field and laboratory settings. By the end of the course the participants will be able to:

  • Master Sampling techniques for environmental microplastics
  • Hands-on experience in sample preparation in the lab following a multi-step protocol under QA/QC conditions.
  • Understand and practically explore Analytical techniques for microplastic detection and characterization.
  • Conduct data Interpretation using siMPle Software.

Teaching methods: lectures, field and laboratory work, demonstrations and exercises. The course will be structured as follows:

Day 1 – Monday 9:00 to 17:00:

  • Welcome to AAU-BUILD.
  • Introduction and Sampling for microplastics at AAU campus or at Skudehavnen.

Day 2 – Tuesday 9:00 to 17:00:

  • Lecture: Microplastic Extraction: “Sample Preparation à la AAU”
  • Laboratory work – Opening up the Matrix – Water and sediment samples.

Day 3- Wednesday 9:00 to 17:00:

  • Laboratory work – Getting the samples ready to Microplastic Characterization

Day 4 – Thursday 9:00 to 17:00:

  • Hands- on Analytical techniques:

FPA - μFT-IR Imaging

ATR- FT-IR

μRaman

Pyr-GCMS

Day 5- Friday 9:00 to 13:00:

  • Systematic Identification of microplastics with siMPle – Will you catch them all?
  • Time for One-to-One meetings with the AAU microplastic researchers

Criteria for assessment:

  • Attendance to all the activities scheduled for the course
  • Submit a brief report – Participant’s perception on the Opportunities and Limitations on the Implementation of the AAU Approach for Microplastic Research
  • Survey completion

Key literature:

Ivleva, N. P. (2021). Chemical Analysis of Microplastics and Nanoplastics: Challenges, Advanced Methods, and Perspectives. Chemical Reviews, 121(19), 11886–11936. https://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.CHEMREV.1C00178

Liu, F., Vianello, A., & Vollertsen, J. (2019). Retention of microplastics in sediments of urban and highway stormwater retention ponds. Environmental Pollution, 255, 113335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113335

Löder, M. G. J., Imhof, H. K., Ladehoff, M., Löschel, L. A., Lorenz, C., Mintenig, S., Piehl, S., Primpke, S., Schrank, I., Laforsch, C., & Gerdts, G. (2017). Enzymatic Purification of Microplastics in Environmental Samples. Environmental Science and Technology, 51(24), 14283–14292. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b03055

Primpke, S., Cross, R. K., Mintenig, S. M., Simon, M., Vianello, A., Gerdts, G., & Vollertsen, J. (2020). Toward the Systematic Identification of Microplastics in the Environment: Evaluation of a New Independent Software Tool (siMPle) for Spectroscopic Analysis. Applied Spectroscopy, 74(9), 1127–1138. https://doi.org/10.1177/0003702820917760/ASSET/IMAGES/LARGE/10.1177_0003702820917760-FIG6.JPEG

Simon, M., van Alst, N., & Vollertsen, J. (2018). Quantification of microplastic mass and removal rates at wastewater treatment plants applying Focal Plane Array (FPA)-based Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) imaging. Water Research, 142, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.WATRES.2018.05.019

Vianello, A., Jensen, R. L., Liu, L., & Vollertsen, J. (2019). Simulating human exposure to indoor airborne microplastics using a Breathing Thermal Manikin. Scientific Reports 2019 9:1, 9(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-45054-w

Organizer: Alvise Vianello, Laura Simon Sanchez, Fan Liu, Jes Vollertsen

Lecturers: Alvise Vianello, Laura Simon Sanchez, Fan Liu, Nanna Dyg Rathje Klemmensen, Jes Vollertsen

ECTS: 4

Time: 21-25 October 2024

Place: Section of Civil Engineering, BUILD, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9220 Aalborg Øst, Denmark

Zip code: 9220

City: Aalborg

Number of seats: 15

Deadline: 30.09.2024

Important information concerning PhD courses: We have over some time experienced problems with no-shows for both project and general courses. It has now reached a point where we are forced to take action. Therefore, the Doctoral School has decided to introduce a no-show fee of DKK 3000 for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before the start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up on those days. Furthermore, all courses open for registration approximately four months before start. This can hopefully also provide new students a chance to register for courses during the year. We look forward to your registration.

For inquiries regarding registration, cancellation or waiting list, please contact the PhD administration at aauphd@adm.aau.dk