The LTC AquEus celebrates its 2nd meeting in Donosti

The second LTC AquEus meeting took place in Donostia on Tuesday June 18, lead by the two Principal Investigators Miren Cajaraville Cell Biology in Environmental Toxicology, CBET+, PiE-UPV/EHU and Jerome Cachot, EPOC Laboratory, University of Bordeaux.

This LTC is conformed by 9 research groups working on different topics and challenges related to the potential risks posed by environmental and bio-based microplastics and nanoplastics in the Gulf of Biscay. Approved in November 2023, it has been running for nine months and has already achieved interesting results.

A broad set of PhD students, young and senior investigators shared short presentations of current and ongoing research on micro and nanoplastics, including interesting potential and advanced applications of emergent sustainable materials, of lignin multifunctionality for cosmetic applications or Synthesis of bio-based ionomers for fuel cell applications.

Interesting research results were also shared about assessment of the toxicity of biosourced nanoplastics in several marine organisms (phytoplanktonic algae and oysters) as well as fishing nets and beached plastics from the Bay of Biscay. Emphasis was also placed on modeling the transport of plastic particles on the ocean surface in the Bay of Biscay.

The session was then followed by a scientific poster session and discussion on next steps of the LTC.

The enthusiastic team is already planning their next working sessions and new joint research and innovative applications for upcoming opportunities.