Project description
Microplastics as heavy metal vectors in aquatic ecosystems
The tiniest shreds of plastic are the most dangerous. Micro- and nano plastics can enter aquatic systems with significant implications for both ecological and human health. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the METAPlastic project explores interaction of the micro-and nano-plastics with toxic metals such as arsenic, mercury and chromium in aquatic settings. It also investigates how that influences their bioaccumulation in fish. More specifically, the study will use multiple methods including zebrafish assays, cutting-edge chemical microscopy/analysis and predictive models through artificial intelligence technology to understand the impacts of plastic properties on metal accumulation and health implications.
Objective
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are pervasive in aquatic ecosystems and pose growing ecological and human health risks by acting as vectors for toxic heavy metals (HMs) such as arsenic, mercury, and chromium. Their high surface area and surface reactivity enable strong HM adsorption, altering bioavailability and toxicity once ingested by fish, which are key links in the human food chain. Yet, it remains unclear how fundamental MNP traits including size, polymer type, and environmental aging, govern HM bioaccumulation, in vivo biotransformation, and organ-specific toxicity.
The METAPlastic project will address these gaps by combining zebrafish exposure studies with state-of-the-art analytical techniques (e.g. HPLC/GC-ICP-MS and synchrotron-based XAFS for speciation; laser-ablation ICP-MS and synchrotron micro-XRF for spatial mapping) and advanced machine learning models. This integrated approach will provide mechanistic insights into how MNP properties dictate HM fate and toxicity and establish predictive tools for risk assessment under complex environmental scenarios.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry metalloids
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
B15 2TT Birmingham
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.