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Natural sciences
- Mineralogy and crystallography
- Geology not elsewhere classified
- Geophysical fluid dynamics
- Environmental impact and risk assessment
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Engineering and technology
- Destructive and non-destructive testing of materials
In recent years, microplastic pollution has become a worrying global problem, attracting increasing attention from the scientific community and policymakers. Numerous scientific studies have investigated sources, behaviour, occurrence and transport mechanisms of microplastics in different environments. Nevertheless, many questions remain unanswered. In particular, the interactions between microplastics and sedimentary rocks are as yet unknown. As sedimentary rocks make up a significant part of our Earth's surface, and are regularly used as building materials, they might play a crucial role in the microplastic pollution problem. The surface or internal porous microstructure of these rocks could potentially act as a storage medium for microplastics. By studying the interaction between microplastics and sedimentary rocks, we aim to comprehend whether and how microplastics are attached to, distributed in and eventually released from these rocks. This is crucial for the overall understanding of the environmental impacts of microplastic pollution. This research project will combine laboratory work, advanced 2D and 3D imaging- and experimental techniques to provide a fundamental understanding of the dynamics between microplastics and sedimentary rocks on the macro-, meso- and micro-scale.