PhD thesis supervisor: dr. Ieva Uogintė (apply for recommendation)
Analysis of microplastic particle transport pathways in urban environments
Microplastic particles are becoming an increasingly discussed form of anthropogenic pollution, but their distribution in the urban environment and the dynamics determined by environmental factors remain insufficiently assessed. The aim of this work is to conduct studies on the identification and quantification of microplastics in order to determine their distribution trends in the city, sources, transport and potential impact on the environment and human health. The study plans to apply an integrated set of sampling and analytical chemistry methods, including spectroscopic studies of the polymer composition and morphology of microplastics. Statistical analysis and risk assessment methodologies will be applied to the obtained quantitative data, allowing the calculation of pollutant exposure indicators, hazard indices and potential carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic risk levels. In addition, assessments of the sources of exposure and spread trends of microplastics will be carried out, taking into account the influence of urban structure, seasonality and anthropogenic processes. It is expected that the results obtained will allow a more accurate assessment of the contribution of urbanization to the release of microplastics into the environment, will contribute to the improvement of monitoring strategies, and will provide sound information for further risk communication and planning of management measures.