Something shapeless white lumps could be the solution for a global Problem: micro-plastic in almost all waters. In the Danube, Austrian scientists found larvae in the beginning of the last decade, more plastic particles than Fish.

The German Alfred-Wegener-Institute also discovered in the snow in plastic – be it in populated areas, the Bavarian Alps or the Arctic. About American national parks, the plastic seems to pour rain. And in the sea, even in the deep sea, the tiny plastic particles anyway.

you solve the Wash out of clothes, caused by the abrasion of tire, to fall in many industries, in cosmetics or left, if greater plastic garbage decomposes in water slowly. Sewage treatment plants, the micro-plastic can't be completely removed – and then be initiated, wastewater or sewage sludge, it finds its way to the fields. It is a part of the food chain.

in humans, the micro-plastic ends up, therefore, about some of the food, the air, dust, drinks, or cosmetics. How dangerous it is, the science is still being discussed. While the Federal Institute for risk does not accept assessment currently, according to its website, "is that of micro plastic out in food health risks for the people", and also a risk of exposure to cosmetics with plastic particles is unlikely holds, warn organisations such as the Federation for environment and nature conservation Germany.

all Agree, however, that the possible effects on humans still need to be better investigated, in order to make a final judgment. Especially as Tests with animals have shown a negative impact. So salmon larvae grew worse, when she slipped in a strong plastic contaminated water. In addition, they were less and noticed predators too late. A deadly drawback.

With the Low-Tech against micro-plastic – everywhere

The PhD chemist Katrin shoes that already worked for the plastic industry and as a Junior Professor at the University of Koblenz-Landau, is certain, that the micro plastic has an effect on the Ecosystem. "The plastic is not biodegradable and remains for a very long time in the environment," she says in an interview with 1E9. "In addition, we do not speak of particles of each Polymer, but many different types and processing of products and also growing quantities

micro-plastic people is not only per se made environmental problem, it is also a globally available. In addition, can be solved from micro-plastic other critical substances, and thus in the environment. Thus, an uncontrollable mechanism could come in speed and everything you can't control dangers.“ Especially with the plastic of other materials that pose a demonstrable health hazard, the water came. Plasticizers, for example.

Therefore, Katrin shoes calls for to clean water from micro-plastic and in the future, no micro – plastic more to come. And so we're back to the white, misshapen lumps. As to which the micro-plastic by a method bundle, the Katrin shoes and your Team of water and 3.0 have been developed. She is the founder and Executive Director of the non-commercial Start-ups based in Karlsruhe, Germany.

"Our goal is clean water and the world," she says. "That's why we put our solutions on a Low-Tech approach, the costs are not only sustainable, but also - and resource-efficient. Our technology is used worldwide, not only in industrialized countries that can afford expensive Equipment and many professionals.“

The mobile Container, in which water 3.0 installed its own technology, can be set up anywhere where water needs to be purified in sewage treatment plants, factories, or where sea water is used. What is happening in the containers, the agglomeration, fixation of the micro-plastics. "For us, as a chemist, this sounds pretty good", says Katrin shoes. For Non-chemists the procedure with the English wording clump and skim can be a little simpler to the point, in English: clump and absorb. water 3.0 The Start-uo "water 3.0" clear water of micro-plastic.

Recycling in the construction and glass industries

In a first step, stirred the water so that the plastic collects in a layer of water. Then the "magic ingredient" to this, like Katrin, you shoes called. A special hybrid of silica gel which was blended from various substances together in such a way that all the plastic particles to react and form clumps, which are easy to skim. "In principle, it works the same as a Two-component adhesive."

The Gel is non-toxic. From its main component is silicon dioxide, known as silica, is quartz sand. "And if the would be toxic, we could not place us in the summer on the beach," explains the chemist.

The agglomerates or lumps – that could be burned and used as energy source to be used. "But this is not our solution", says Katrin shoes. "We want you to be recycled." Possible this would be as a filler in the construction and glass industries. Research projects with partners are already underway. However, this Form of Recycling makes sense, it needs larger quantities of the material. This, in turn, the technology of water 3.0 would have to come more and more frequently. Work in sewage treatment plants, with Sweet - and salt water, or industrial wastewater, it has been proven in Tests already.

sewage treatment plants are not so good as your reputation

concern Katrin shoes however, the aftermath of a Swiss study. This came out last year that 98 percent of the tiny plastic particles are already filtered now of modern sewage treatment plants from the sewage. The solution of the water 3.0 is so obsolete? "No," says the head of the company. "the communication around the study, unfortunately, was a bit one-sided." This is because, unlike the procedure of the water 3.0, the micro-plastic gather in clumps and actually get rid of, could sewage treatment plants to eliminate the particle layer.

"will you land in the sludge," says Katrin shoes. "And it is used for example in agriculture, the plastic back into the Ecosystem. The sludge is burned, lost resources, sustainable circular economy looks different.“

in addition, the water 3.0 does not want to start only in the treatment plants, but much earlier. "We want to contribute to the micro-plastic, not only can spread." Therefore, Katrin shoes hopes on the use of its technology in a number of industries which process plastics and micro-plastics cause.

plastic, you don't want to abolish it, by the way, with the exception of disposable products that are used once and then in the garbage or in the worst case, in the nature land. "We will continue to need plastics," she says. "But where we can avoid, we should do the same. And above all, we should recycle the plastic and ensure that it gets into the environment.“ Thus, not only in the Danube again sometime more fish than plastic particles swimming larvae around.

This article was written by Wolfgang Kerler

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*The post "Stirring, clumping, recycle: the Start-up wants to free-up "water 3.0" water of micro-plastic" will be released by 1E9. Contact with the executives here.

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Date Of Update: 30 July 2020, 12:27