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MicroDrink project: regional cooperation in the danube basin harmonized with the EU drinking water directive microplastic monitoring
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The MicroDrink project investigated microplastic occurrence and effects in the Danube River Basin's surface and groundwater used for drinking water, coordinating monitoring across multiple countries. The study found microplastics throughout the basin, including in drinking water sources, and identified regional variation in contamination levels.
In the past years microplastics (MPs) were found along the whole Danube River Basin (DRB). In contrast to well researched seawater, occurrence and effects of MP in surface water and groundwater, especially those used for drinking water supply of the DRB region remain largely unexplored. Because of the lack of integrated MP management in water environment, effective monitoring tools, and improved policies to mitigate MP emission and reduce pollution are urgently needed. As a first step, EU Directive 2020/2184 on the quality of water intended for human consumption (EU DWD) identified MPs as potentially hazardous substances and included it on watch list mechanism monitoring from 2024, in order to carry out a complete risk assessment by 2029. Sampling and analysis methodology for this was released in Commission Delegated Decision C(2024) 1459. To tackle the above-mentioned issues and start collecting EU DWD harmonized data, during MicroDrink project microplastics will be monitored in 9 designated transboundary pilot sites equally distributed in 3 clusters (karst, intergranular, surface/river bank filtration) representing the vast majority of DRB drinking water resource types. Sampling knowledge will be transferred to the partners during a joint sampling event via sharing and demonstrating an EU DWD harmonized methodology (1000 L sample on 20 µm sieves). Samples from the following one year-long monitoring campaign will be analyzed harmonized to the directive's strict quality assurance and quality control protocols (blanks, recoveries, etc.) both in local and in a central lab to compare results accuracy. As an outcome of the project, a comprehensive online MicroDrink knowledge base, meanwhile relevant international stakeholders will be engaged via targeted meetings, workshops and events. Acknowledgment: MicroDrink (DRP0200442) project was supported as part of the Interreg Danube Region Programme, co-funded by the European Union, with the financial contribution of the partner states and institutions. Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/558800/document
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