The occurrence of microplastics in Italian and German lakes is to be investigated in the new Blue Lakes project funded by EU-LIFE.
Elia Andreotti
Microplastics in European lakes: Dealing with a growing problem
As part of the four-year Blue Lakes project funded by the LIFE program of the European Commission and co-financed by the pan-European association of plastics producers PlasticsEurope , various important stakeholders are involved from industry and academia to municipalities and civil society. The co-ordination is in the hands of Rome-based environmental protection organisation Legambiente.
Virginia Janssens, Managing Director of PlasticsEurope, said: “Plastic waste in the environment is unacceptable. Our involvement in the Blue Lakes project is an expression of our commitment to finding answers to the biggest environmental questions, particularly when it comes to litter in seas and other bodies of water. We recognise that this problem needs to be addressed at the source. In order to achieve effective results, various interest groups must work together at local, European and international level. PlasticsEurope is proud to be one of the main supporters of the project. "
Focus on five lakes
In the LIFE Blue Lakes project, the focus of activities is on three lakes in Italy and two bodies of water in Germany, namely Lake Constance and Lake Chiemsee. The aim is to develop standardised procedures for the containment of microplastic inputs so that these can then also be used for other lakes and bodies of water in Europe.
On the one hand, PlasticsEurope is involved in the scientific evaluation of the possible effects of microplastics on human health and the environment. On the other hand, the association is also involved in the coordination of the development of standardised measurement methods, for example for sampling, sample preparation and analysis.