New project: development of analytical methods for extraction, identification & quantification of microplastics in sewage sludge

With a generous financial support from eight wastewater treatment utilities in Sweden as well as from Svenskt vatten (via VA-kluster Mälardalen), Sahar Dalahmeh started a research project focusing on development of analytical method for extraction, identification and quantification of microplastics in sewage sludge. Different extraction protocols (acids, base and enzymatic extraction will be tested and optimised). Also, different identification methods will be investigated, not the least these using µ-FTIR for chemical imaging. All the equipment needed for development the method are in place including state of the art Cary 660 IR spectroscopes coupled to 620 Cary FTIR microscope (Agilent Technologies) for micro imaging and chemical scanning microscope. The projects runs during 2019-2021.  For more information, please contact Sahar Dalahmeh (Sahar.Dalahmeh@slu.se)