Project Title: Identification and removal of submicron plastics from various water sources.

The project is to detect sub-micron size (<0.45 micron) plastics in various water sources, and investigate the effects of these plastics on membrane fouling. The student will take the responsibility of developing an analytical process to identify submicron plastics in water and collecting samples from 3 different Welsh Water operated wastewater treatment plants, and analyse these samples by using various instruments including TGA-GC-MS. The first stage (first year) of the project will focus on the method development for an accurate analysing methods and long term monitoring of the collected samples. Second and final stage of the project will focus on the effect of sub-micron plastics on membrane fouling.