TASKS

 

TASK 1: PROJECT MANAGEMENT

This task aims to ensure a smooth and effective management of the project, guarantying the achievement of the proposed goals.

TASK 2: SAMPLING AND ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES

This task includes all the preparatory work to guarantee the quality of data generated throughout the project, comprising the development of the sampling and analytical protocol, team training and equipment preparation.

TASK 3: ROAD SIMULATOR

Laboratory tests permit maximum control of experimental conditions, facilitating the characterisation of particles derived from a unique source. The primary characterisation of the particles and respective MPs generated exclusively from tyre abrasion will support the identification of this source through the respective emission chemical profile.

TASK 4: ROAD TUNNEL

Road tunnel measurements reflect vehicle exhaust and non-exhaust emissions in real-world traffic conditions, allowing determination of the mean emissions of a large number of vehicles. This task will be helpful in the identification of chemical profiles associated exclusively to traffic-related emissions.

TASK 5: URBAN TRAFFIC ENVIRONMENT

A long-term sampling campaign will be undertaken at a representative urban site. This monitoring will provide an integrated overview of the MPs contamination at a city scale, contributing to an understanding of their dynamics in the urban cycle.

TASK 6: SOURCE APPORTIONMENT

The Positive Matrix Factorization receptor model will be applied for MPs source identification and quantification of the relative contribution of road traffic to the total amount of MPs in the urban environment.

TASK 7: OXIDATIVE POTENTIAL OF MICROPLASTICS

Laboratory assays will be performed to assess any potential cellular interaction or toxicity of the MPs from road traffic.

TASK 8: DISSEMINATION AND OUTREACH OF RESULTS

Throughout the project, the iMPact consortium will disseminate the results to multiple target audiences through different communication activities.