IESc Seminar Series: Microplastics in environmental compartments - challenges and current findings by Dr. Elke K. Fischer

Institute of Environmental Sciences Seminar Series

“Microplastics in environmental compartments - challenges and current findings”

by Dr. Elke K. Fischer

Earth and Society Research Hub (ESRAH),

Department of Earth System Sciences, University of Hamburg, Germany

We cordially invite you to our seminar “Microplastics in environmental compartments - challenges and current findings” to be held by Dr. Elke K. Fischer, Earth and Society Research Hub (ESRAH), Department of Earth System Sciences, University of Hamburg, Germany

When: 25 March, 2026, Wednesday, 14:00-15:30

Where: Institute of Environmental Sciences Seminar Room (Hisar Campus E-Block)

Contact: pinar.ertor@bogazici.edu.tr for any questions.

Abstract:

The topic of microplastics is currently in the public spotlight. Microplastics are ubiquitous in all ecosystem compartments and all regions of the world. Initial research on microplastics focused primarily on marine ecosystems. However, it is now known that inland waters, soils and the atmosphere are also relevant sinks and transport routes for microplastic particles and that microplastics also enter the food chain.

The Microplastic Research (MRC) working group at the University of Hamburg's Earth and Science Research Hub (ESRAH) has been investigating microplastics in environmental ecosystems for over 10 years. The head of the MRC group, Dr Elke Fischer, is also the German delegate to the OSPAR (Oslo-Paris Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic) and HELCOM (Helsinki Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea) marine protection conventions, as well as to the European Commission's Technical Group on Marine Litter (TG-ML). These conventions aim to achieve and monitor the good environmental status of our seas using selected parameters, including marine litter, including microplastics.

During the lecture, various questions will be addressed: What are microplastics and how are they created? How are microplastics classified? What are the main sources of microplastics? How are microplastics transported? What effects does microplastic pollution have on our environment and on humans? Are microplastics dangerous? In addition, the particular challenges of analysing microplastics will be presented and an overview of past and current research projects of the MRC group is provided. These include studies of marine ecosystems (sediments, fish, invertebrates), lake and river ecosystems, studies of the atmosphere and forest ecosystems, and agricultural ecosystems.

Short bio:

Dr. Elke Fischer is a senior researcher and Head of Laboratory in Physical Geography at the Center for Earth System Research, Universität Hamburg, where she has been working since 2007. She holds a PhD in Geography (summa cum laude) from Georg-August-Universität Göttingen and has extensive experience in landscape ecology and terrestrial ecosystem research, with a strong focus on microplastic pollution in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Dr. Fischer is an expert advisor to several national and international bodies, including the European Commission, HELCOM, and OSPAR, and has co-led the development of micro-litter monitoring indicators for marine policy frameworks. She has coordinated and contributed to numerous EU- and nationally-funded research projects, published widely in high-impact journals, and supervised a large number of PhD, MSc, and BSc theses in environmental and microplastic research.