An innovative biological process is being developed at the Faculty of Bioengineering at the University of Weihenstfahn-Triesdorf (HSWT) by which worms and microorganisms can decompose microplastics in wastewater treatment plants, the news portal reported on June 17. IDW scientists.
Microplastics are usually so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye. It is generated in many areas of daily life and poses serious problems for people and the environment.
To solve this problem, the University of Weihenstephan-Triesdorf (HSWT) is implementing the PlasticWorms research project. Professor Dr. Sabine Grüner-Lempart, who works in the Department of Bioengineering, and her team have managed to decompose microplastics by using worms and microorganisms in a biological process.
The developed technology must now be tested and optimized in practice in wastewater treatment plants. The decomposition of microplastics occurs in a reactor on a bed of biofuel.
There, bacteria and fungi form a biofilm that serves as a base for the decomposition of microplastics. The worms carry out a preliminary crushing of the plastic particles, while the microorganisms decompose the plastic into its molecular components. As a result, researchers obtain environmentally friendly biomass and water, free and safe for people and the environment.
The research project partner, ZWT Water- and Sanwassertechnik GmbH from Bayreuth, is currently constructing an industrial-scale pilot plant with a volume of five cubic meters. Starting in July 2024, it will be used at the Petershausen wastewater treatment plant in the Dachau region.
The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK).
Source: Rossa Primavera
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