WG3 Kick-off meeting, on-line (7th April 2022)

The aim of this meeting was introduction of COST Action PRIORITY to the WG1 participants, as well as short self-introduction of the participants. Results of the questionnaire shared among participants showed that they are mostly in academia and focus on microscopy, spectroscopy and thermal methods of micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) characterization as well as on data analysis and modelling. Many PRIORITY participants want to contribute in harmonization and standardization activities in the field of MNPs. They are also interested in training their colleagues to familiarize them with different analytical techniques.

During the meeting it was also discussed several other points such as:

• Contribution of WP3 to objectives of COST action: The main objectives target collaborative projects, sharing know-how increase standardization as well as training of researchers (capacity building).
• Contribution of the WG3 to the deliverables
• Short term scientific mission (STSM) and ITC Conference Grants
• WG3 structure & networking with other WGs

2nd WG3 meeting, 2nd June 2022, on-line

During the meeting infrastructure access was explained, announced and discussed, as well as state of the art and open questions about analytical methods. The sub-group leaders gave an introduction into the methods as well as the state-of-the-art. Two lectures were included:

“Introduction into spectroscopic methods for MP analysis”
by Maria Laura Santarelli

“Introduction into thermal methods for MP analysis”
by Laurent Lemee

3^rd WG3 meeting, 4^th July 2022, hybrid (Brescia, Italy)

4th WG3 meeting, 20th October 2022, on-line

This meeting was organized as subgroup leader meeting, where discussion was made about strategy for further WG work and format of future WG meetings.

5th WG3 meeting, 12th September 2022, on-line

Two lectures were organized for this meeting in order to initiate discussions about analytical methods:

“Introduction into microscopic methods for MP analysis”
by Gregor Hlawacek

“Introduction into Raman tweezers for micro- and nanoplastic detection”
by Antonio Foti

The talk is structured under the sub-group spectroscopy.

Preliminary results of the questionnaire related to analytical instrument were presented.

6th WG3 meeting, 24th April 2023, on-line

This meeting was organized as subgroup leader meeting, where discussion was made about preparation and formalities for Full Action Meeting, and discussion of potential subjects for a joint study.

7th WG3 meeting, 20th September 2023, hybrid (Brussels, Belgium)

Two lectures were organized for this meeting:

“Quantifying microplastics in environmental samples with Py-GC-MS”
by Laurent Lemee 

“100 or 10.000 microplastics kg^-1: What are the problems with analyzing MP concentrations in soils?”
by Moritz Bigalke

Joint interlaboratory study was proposed and discussion was made about operational details of this activity.