Partner groups
Our research focuses on the development of analytical methodologies for the determination of microplastics in environmental and food samples as wells as on microplastics monitoring studies. At the same time, we are particularly interested in the determination of persistent and emerging contaminants adsorbed onto microplastics, for which suitable analytical methodologies should also be developed.
Zero Discharges Association is an NGO founded by professors of the Master's Degree in Waste Management and form the Autonomous University of Madrid. AVC has been working on the impact of anthropogenic waste on the environment. We have designed the MARNOBA platform as a data acquisition system based on ICT and citizen science tools. Since 2012, AVC has participated in various forums of experts and in national and international projects related to marine litter and the circular economy.
Our research focuses on the study of biodiversity, ecology, evolution and molecular mechanisms of adaptation of microorganisms and microbial populations of environments of astrobiological interest. The main lines of research are the biodiversity of extreme environments including those of astrobiological interest, the isolation of microorganisms of biotechnological interest and the molecular mechanisms of adaptation and microbial evolution.
We study the effects of environmental stressors, mainly contaminants and climate change, on ecosystems. As regards plastic pollution, we estimate the levels of (micro-) plastics in nature, and identify their sources, dispersion pathways and sinks. We assess the effects of plastics at different levels from individuals to ecosystems. We use spectroscopic (FT-IR, Raman and LDIR) and calorimetric (DSC and TGA) techniques to identify polymer types and understand the degradation processes. Additionally, we assess material biodegradability replicating environmental compartments to go step further that current biodegradability standards.
The members of GBTA-UNED are experts in molecular biomarkers in invertebrates, especially insects, including the chironomids
The main field of expertise of our group is the development of early warning cell and molecular biomarkers for the assessment of environmental pollutants. Our labs include facilities for histology, fluorescence and electron microscopy, image analysis, cell fractionation and biochemistry, cell culture and molecular biology, among others. The group has aquaria facilities for large scale and mesocosm experiments and coordinates three Master and two Doctoral Programmes and offers several international postgraduate courses.
The IEO-CSIC Marine Pollution Group has wide experience in the use of chemical indicators and biomarkers to assess the impact of human activities on the marine environment. Its members participated in several national and international consortia aimed at studying the impact of microplastics in the marine environment. Since 1990, the group has been appointed for the systematic study of Spanish coastal pollution in agreement with OSPAR and Barcelona conventions. Since 2010, the groups has participated in the scientific implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive in Spain.
ECOTOX is a research group established by Prof. Ricardo Beiras that belongs to the competitive reference group EZ1 – Coastal Ecology of CIM-UVIGO. The gruop holds laboratories in the Faculties of Marine Sciences and Chemistry, and in the Marine Sciences Station of Toralla. The main lines of research focus on the evaluation of marine pollution in coastal ecosystems, and the contamination by plastics (micro-, nano-, conventional or bioplastics).
The main research lines of the Marine Ecophysiology Group are: (i) ecophysiology studies of different marine organisms, (ii) enzymatic biochemistry, (iii) marine environment pollution, (iv) toxic microalgae and invasive species, and (v) the effect of microplastics and their associated contaminants on the different levels of marine trophic chains. The group is highly committed with the conservation of the marine environment biodiversity and participates in a number of diffusion and dissemination activities.
GREFA is a NGO that works to conserve threatened species and ecosystems. GREFA holds a Wild Fauna Hospital, located in Monte del Pilar (Majadahonda, Madrid), which has already looked after more than 60,000 animals and is considered the largest and centre of its kind in Europe. GREFA has become an international reference thanks to its projects aimed at the preservation of biodiversity, especially concerning native threatened fauna, by means of different actions, such as captive breeding, the reintroduction specimens to the wild, satellite monitoring, and nest surveillance.
HyT is a third sector entity focused on conservation biology since 2003 that acts as an intermediary between the Administration, business and society. Founding member of the Spanish Marine Litter Association, it develops actions related to littering, at different levels. In the field of microplastics, it is responsible for the protocol of sampling and analysis of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems in alliance with Proyecto Libera. It performs microplastic analysis in its laboratory, and organizes events, workshops, training and participatory actions.
The group has experience in the detection of microplastics in all environmental compartments with numerous publications in that field. We also work actively on the evaluation of the toxicity and ecotoxicity of emerging pollutants and mixtures, including microplastics, nanoplastics, and synthetic nanoparticles as well as in wastewater treatment and reuse technologies. The group also works on the preparation of materials and nanomaterials with different functionalities for biocidal, photobiocidal and photocatalytic applications.
The Limnology laboratory leaded by Dr Andreu Rico belongs to the Limnology Research Group of the University of Valencia. It is interested in assessing the loads and fluxes of microplastics in river ecosystems and coastal wetlands, as well as in quantifying their ecotoxicological risks for aquatic organisms. Recent studies include the first large-scale evaluation of microplastic pollution in the Amazon River and the study of the presence and risks of microplastics in the Albufera Natural Park, a protected Mediterranean wetland.
MATER is the last great Basque tuna boat built in wood, which has been transformed into an Ecoactive Museum Ship (MATER Museum) and an environmental education center, MATER Ecoactive, conceived as an instrument for environmental education and raising awareness in society about the conservation of our environment. The ship is managed by the ITSAS GELA - AULA DEL MAR association, a non-profit organization with over 20 years of experience dedicated to promoting respect, protection, and enjoyment of the sea. MATER develops innovative projects and campaigns for marine environmental awareness and education.
MICRO-UPCT is involved in the study of microplastics in different environments and receiving media. The group consists of three senior researchers and a variabla number of predoctoral and postdoctoral students. The main activities of the group have traditionally focused on the fate of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants, although other studies on the presence of plastic contaminants in coastal and marine sediments, personal care products, and detergents, have also been carried out, among others. We are now devoted to the occurrence of microplastics in human being, mainly lower airway and lungs.
The Oceanography Group of the Oceanographic Center of Vigo works actively on the spatial and temporal characterization of marine pollution by plastics, their impact on marine ecosystems and their degradation in natural environments. Additionally we investigate on the variability and long-term trends of oceanographic conditions. The work participated in numerous national and international projects focused on the fight against marine litter in the Atlantic Area and on the establishment of protocols and references for the analysis of microplastics in marine waters, among others.
OpenPLAS is a group formed by two institutions from the Canary Islands (ULPGC and IEO-CSIC) focused on the study of marine microplastics in the open ocean, especially in the Atlantic region. Our research is focused on trajectory analysis of plastic debris, not only on the ocean surface, but also in the deep ocean. We sampled up to 1200 meters depth and measured the concentration of microplastics along the water column. We are currently studying the link between plastic fate and ocean dynamics in the North Atlantic Ocean.
The Environmental Toxicology and Global Change group of the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid has a long-lasting track record in Environmental Biology research with emphasis in environmental toxicology, environmental microbiology and microbial ecology. Our current research focuses on the presence, distribution, environmental fate, and effect on biota and humans of microplastics and nanoplastics.
Our laboratory employs advanced technologies and specialized personnel to develop analytical methods that assess the impact of microplastics on the environment and crops. We have implemented passive and active sampling techniques, as well as filtration, sieving, centrifugation, density separation, chemical digestion, and magnetic separation methods to extract microplastics from various samples. We also investigate the interaction of environmental pollutants with microplastics.
