MICROM 2025 Conference Program
Day 1Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Registration
09:00–10:00
09:00–10:00
Conference Opening
10:00–10:30
10:00–10:30
Plenary Lecture 1
10:30–11:00
10:30–11:00
Microplastics in the Environment
Speaker: Dr. Christian Laforsch, University of Bayreuth, Germany
Moderator: Dr. Fangzhu Wu, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Helgoland, Germany
Participant Presentations (Session 1)
11:00–12:00
11:00–12:00
- Confocal Raman spectroscopy for nanoplastic detection at microgram to nanogram concentrations in complex media, Giulia Biagi, Aref Enayati, Barbara Rothen-Rutishauser, Patricia Taladriz-Blanco, Alke Petri-Fink
- Efficiency of Fenton reaction for the clean-up of groundwater and surface water matrices for various microplastic analysis methods, Lina Büngener, Guillaume Bucher, Dora Mehn, Douglas Gilliland
- Exploring analytical methodologies for monitoring microplastics in media relevant to the urban wastewater treatment Directive (EU) 2024/3019, Guillaume Bucher, Lina Büngener, Otmar Geiss, Dora Mehn, Douglas Gilliland
- Microplastics in Wastewater Sludge: A Novel Quantification Method developed by Captoplastic S.L., Gonzalo Vega Marcilla, Raquel Parra Sanchez, Amparo Fernández Benito, Belén Carboneras Contreras
- What controls the quality of microplastic analysis? Insights from an interlaboratory study using MicroPRefs reference materials, Svetlana Pakhomova, Vilde Kloster Snekkevik, Bert van Bavel, Amy Lusher
- Methodological approaches for microplastics isolation and analysis from tissues of marine organisms (bivalves, fish), Vlatka Filipović Marijić, Martina Ugrinović, Sara Šariri, Tatjana Mijošek Pavin, Marija Kuštro, Fabio Faraguna, and Dajana Kučić Grgić
Q&A session 1
12:00–12:15
12:00–12:15
Networking & Coffee Time
12:15–12:45
12:15–12:45
Participant Presentations (Session 1)
12:45–13:45
12:45–13:45
- “Up in the air, deep on the ground” – Quantification & Identification of Microplastics in Marine Sediments and Air by Pyrolysis-GC/MS, Michael Soll, Atsushi Watanabe, William Pipkin
- Multitechnique analysis of eco-corona formation on airborne polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics interacting with bee pollen, Anna Placci, Marta Fadda, Irene Coralli, Junjie Wang, Andrea Zattoni, Anna Luisa Costa, Raquel Portela, Andrea Mario Giovannozzi, Andrea Mario Rossi, Daniele Fabbri, Dora Melucci, Stefano Giordani, Barbara Roda, Pierluigi Reschiglian, Simona Ortelli, Alessio Sacco, Valentina Marassi
- Synthetic Hydrophilic Polymers – An Emerging Class of Polymers in Soil, Christian Plicht, Zacharias Steinmetz
- Application of coagulation/flocculation process for microplastic and textile fiber removal in different water matrices, Sanja Vasiljević, Maja Vujić, Tijana Marjanović Srebro, Jasmina Agbaba, Radivoj Tomić, Aleksandra Tubić
- Using sediment cores for studying the stratification of textile microfibers in geological records of the deep sea, Giuseppe Suaria, Panagiota Lalioti, Andrea Paluselli, Stefano Aliani, Claudio Pellegrini, Stefania Romano, Marzia Rovere
- LDIR – automated solution for microplastic determination, Bojana Vujačić
Q&A session 1
13:45–14:00
13:45–14:00
Lunch Break
14:00–15:00
14:00–15:00
e-Poster Session
15:00–15:45
15:00–15:45
Moderator: Lara Dronjak, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
- Aligned method for microplastic extraction from fresh and decomposed forest litter, Collin J. Weber, Ole Heberer, Moritz Bigalke
- Analysis of microplastics in different forest soil matrices, Ole Heberer, Collin J. Weber
- Development of a protocol for extracting nanoplastics from agricultural soils using metal-doped nanoplastics, Pia Leban, Quynh Nhu Phan Le, Milica Velimirović, Kristof Tirez, Janja Vidmar
- Detection and Isolation of Microplastics from Chicken Feces, Anja Klančnik, Živa Zidar, Krištof Kepic, Majda Golob, Manca Kovač Viršek
- Fenton oxidation of municipal wastewater for microplastic analysis, Daphne Argyropoulou, Andriani Galani, Constantinos Noutsopoulos, Daniel Mamais, Simos Malamis
- Isolation and detection of large microplastics from fish intestines, Tomislav Kačarević, Sandra Jakšić, Milica Živkov Baloš, Jelena Petrović, Radomir Ratajac
- Microplastic background levels in German soils: The influence of site-specific characteristics and land-use practices, Sandy Placzek, Karlheinz Weinfurtner, Wiebke Mareile Heinze, Elke Bloem, Zacharias Steinmetz
- Microplastic Detection in Blood and Urine: A Comparative Study of Sample Preparation Methods using LDIR, Marina Auer, Ajay Khairnar, Thomas C. Meisel
- Microplastics in soil: Are smaller particles lost during the extraction process?, Diana Nantege, Sarmite Kernchen, Martin G. J. Löder, Christian Laforsch
- Mussel Tissue Digestion Protocols: Efficiency and Effects on Microplastics, Sevdalina H. Turmanova, Yancho H. Hristov, Dimitrina S. Kiryakova, Alexander N. Dimitrov, Emilia D. Ivanova, Plamena V. Atanasova, Ganka R. Kolchakova, Antonia S. Ilieva, Elena Y. Mollova, N. S. Todorov
- Nonlinear optical imaging and Nile Red staining approaches for microplastic detection: Influence of additives and structural modifications, Milica Popović, Mira Aničić Urošević, Aleksandar Popović, Milica Ćurčić, Mihailo D. Rabasović, Tanja Pajić, Aleksandar Krmpot
- Optimization of microplastic analysis methods using the micro-FTIR technique, Madalina Calmuc, Valentina Andreea Calmuc, Nina – Nicoleta Lazar, Puiu-Lucian Georgescu, Catalina Iticescu, Mihaela Timofti
- Quantification of polyethylene in soils using pyrolysis–gas chromatography mass spectrometry: A comprehensive assessment of matrix interference and plastic weathering effects, Quynh Nhu Phan Le, Janja Vidmar, Pia Leban, Dimitrios Savvas, Vasileios Papasotiropoulos, Milica Velimirović
- Unveiling Microplastic Diversity in Wastewater Sludge: Morphology and Color Patterns, Dovilė Motiejauskaitė, Karolina Barčauskaitė
- Exposure to indoor pollutants – volatile organic compounds, phthalates, bisphenol A – in small-cell vs. non-small-cell advanced lung cancer patients, Jana Pavlović, Danica Sazdanić-Velikić, Mirjana Ševo, Jovan Kulić, Maja Milanović, Nataša Milošević, Nataša Milić
- Microbial community structure in landfill soils: Case study in Serbia, Gordana Racić, Igor Vukelić, Nataša Stojić, Ljiljana Milošević, Galina Ćurčić, Jozefien Demeulenaere, Caroline de Tender
- Managing Microplastics for Sustainable Agriculture: Legal and Policy Perspectives from the EU and Serbia, Biljana Panin, Ljiljana Milošević, Nataša Stojić, Mira Pucarević, Dunja Prokić, Galina Ćurčić, Mislav Đidara, Marcela Šperanda
Plenary Lecture 2
15:45–16:15
15:45–16:15
Global Microplastics Monitoring and Harmonization
Speaker: Dr. Amy Lusher, NIVA, Oslo, Norway
Moderator: Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Tubić, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
Participant Presentations (Session 3)
16:15–17:15
16:15–17:15
- Diversifying Available Micro- and Nanoplastic Reference Particles: Model Studies with Polylactic Acid, Jessica Caldwell, Matilda Porro, Athanassia Athanassiou, Despina Fragouli
- Evaluation of potential risk of micro and nano plastics in agricultural soils through territorial analysis, Ali Hachem, Fabiana Convertino, Evelia Schettini, Giuliano Vox
- From Rivers to Sludge: Sorption and Fate of Micropollutants Bound to Microplastics during Anaerobic Digestion, Ivan Titov, Michaela Helusová, Jaroslav Semerád, Jana Boháčková, Hynek Beneš, Tomáš Cajthaml
- From soil to stream: Experimental evidence of microplastic bioaccumulation in amphibians via trophic transfer, Glorija Ćirković, Tanja Trakić, Filip Popović, Rastko Ajtić
- Oxidative DNA Damage and Tissue Inflammation Induced by PET and PP Microplastics and Their Additive Dibutyl Phthalate: Comparative In Vivo Assessment, Rosari Asty, Shafa Alayda Rachmah, Kezia Aurellia, Noverra Mardhatillah Nizardo, Budiawan
- Time-resolved colonization patterns of bacteria and fungi on polystyrene microplastics in floodplain soils, Rizwan Khaleel, Julian Wagenhofer, Markus Rolf, Yifan Lu, Hannes Laermanns, Alfons Weig, Frank Nitsche, Tillmann Lüders, Claus Bässler, Christian Laforsch, Martin G.J. Löder, Christina Bogner
Q&A session 3
17:15–17:30
17:15–17:30
Gala Dinner, Sheraton hotel
19:00–23:00
19:00–23:00
Day 2Thursday, November 27, 2025
Arrival and Gathering of Participants
09:30–10:00
09:30–10:00
Plenary Lecture 3
10:00–10:30
10:00–10:30
Discharge of microplastics from sewers to oceans showing the huge dimensions of plastic pollution in India
Speaker: Prof. Dr. Jacob de Boer, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Editor-in-Chief Chemosphere
Moderator: Dr. Liam Morrison, University of Galway, Ireland
Participant Presentations (Session 2)
10:30–11:30
10:30–11:30
- A Decade of Research on Biofouled Microplastics: Alterations in the Fate and Transport of Particles, Müge Nigdeli, Başak Güven, Nurgül Çelik Balc
- Current situation of microplastic pollution in the black sea (Türkiye) whiting (Merlangius merlangus), Gonca Alak, Mine Köktürk, Süleyman Özdemir, Aslı Çilingir Yeltekin, Fatma Betül Özgeriş, Serkan Yildirim, Arzu Uçar, Veysel Parlak, Hünkar Avni Duyar, Emre Çağlak, Muhammed Atamanalp
- Detection and Spatial Pattern Analysis of Microplastics in Sewage Sludge– Treated Sandy Soils, Alexia Balla, Izabella Babcsányi, Karolina Solymos, György Sipos, Viktória Blanka-Végi
- Drinking Water Systems as a Source of Microplastics, Agnieszka Szuster-Janiaczyk, Małgorzata Komorowska-Kaufman, Alina Pruss, Beata Mądrecka-Witkowska, Mirosław Szybowicz, Tomasz Runka, Ewelina Nowak, Karolina Olszewska
- First experimental evidence of fast leaching of small (1.7 µm) microplastics added to soil in field conditions, Nick Krekelbergh, Patria Novita Kusuwardan, Yin Liu, Steven Sleutel, Bogdan Parakhonsky, Richard Hoogenboom, André Skirtach, Stefaan De Neve
- Microplastic and microfibre pollution in unexplored caves, Valentina Balestra, Sonia Tassone
Q&A session 2
11:30–11:45
11:30–11:45
Networking & Coffee Time
11:45–12:15
11:45–12:15
Participant Presentations (Session 2)
12:15–13:15
12:15–13:15
- Advantages of using Focal Plane Array Infra-red detectors in quantitative and qualitative analysis of Microplastics samples, Vladimir Kržaljić
- Nanoplastics in Loch Ness and surrounding rivers and channels, Dušan Materić, Mike Peacock, Stuart Gibb
- Plastic Pollution in Polar Regions: Comparison of Case Studies from the Southern (Falklands) and Northern (Svalbard) Hemispheres, Agnieszka Dąbrowska, Weronika Łada, Dorota Wiktorowicz, Teresa Witkowska
- Quantification, characterisation and human health exposure of microplastic from indoor Environment, Nisarg Mehta, Barbara Kozielska
- Tire wear microplastics in motion: Environmental transport, toxicity, and fate, Gabriela Kalčíková, Barbara Klun, Ula Putar
- Towards a Framework for Emerging Contaminant Analysis for Marine Stranded Species in UAE, Lara Dronjak, Fatin Samara, Dina Tenji, Sofian Kanan, Sandra Knuteson, Fadi Yaghmour
Q&A session 2
13:15–13:30
13:15–13:30
e-Poster Session
13:30–14:15
13:30–14:15
Moderator: Galina Ćurčić,
Faculty of Environmental Protection, Educons University, Serbia
- Artificial Intelligence –Satellite Synergy for Multi-Year Detection of Coastal Plastic Hotspots in Santo Domingo, Shruti Venkata Chari, Gurusamy Kutralam-Muniasamy, Fermín Pérez-Guevara, Ricardo Cuenca Alvarez
- Assessment of Microplastics Particles Composition in Raw and Treated Wastewater and River Water, Małgorzata Komorowska-Kaufman, Katarzyna Jaszczyszyn, Edyta Kiedrzyńska
- Avoidance behavior of Lumbricus terrestris (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) induced by polyethylene microplastics, Ana Lazić, Milica Baloš, Aleksandra Petrović, Ivana Ivanović, Vojislava Bursić, Dejan Prvulović, Aleksandra Tubić
- Biodegradable plastic mulch performance and degradation in real field conditions, case Slovenia, Kristina Ugrinović, Karin Hriberšek, Mojca Bavcon Kralj
- Degradation Dynamics of Conventional and Biodegradable Mulch Films in Agricultural Soils, Skaistė Dreskinienė, Karolina Barčauskaitė, Monika Vilkienė
- Early Plasticrust Formation and Rock–Plastic Interaction Risks in a Caribbean Coastal Zone (Santo Domingo), Gurusamy Kutralam-Muniasamy, V.C. Shruti, Fermín Pérez-Guevara, Ricardo Cuenca Alvarez
- Ecological Footprint of Livestock Farming: Microplastic Contamination in Agricultural Soil and Water, Suzana Knežević, Milena Milojević, Aleksandra Milošević
- Harnessing Mushroom Waste for Green Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles: A Sustainable Route Toward Soil Microplastic Remediation, Alok Ranjan Kerketta, Martin Šebesta
- Identification of microplastic particles in water supply system of Rogoźno (Greater Poland Voivodeship, Poland), Agnieszka Szuster-Janiaczyk, Beata Mądrecka-Witkowska, Aleksandra Dajema, Karolina Olszewska, Tomasz Runka
- Impact of plastic mulching and road proximity on microplastic pollution in agricultural soils: Insights into weathering characteristics, elemental association, and ecological risk, Jayant Karwadiya, Gopala Krishna Darbha, Sudhakar Srivastava, Alok Ranjan Kerketta, Saurabh Pathak
- Microplastics assessment in Moroccan Mediterranean Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis and Callista chione), Mostapha Benomar, Yosra Ajbar, Soumaya Terresti, Chafiq Lahcen
- Microplastics Contamination in Aquatic Ecosystems: Challenges in Extraction and Ecological Risk Assessment, Marijana Nikolić, Aleksandra Tubić, Marija Jakovljević, Branko Kordić, Branislav Jović, Vladica Simić
- Packaging as a Source of Microplastics in the Food Supply Chain: Evidence from Packaged Chicken Meat, Tina Šaula, Živa Zidar, Sonja Smole Možina, Manca Kovač Viršek, Anja Klančnik
- Variation in microplastic size ratios in swine and poultry feed mixtures, Mislav Đidara, Marcela Šperanda, Brigita Popović, Darko Kerovec, Daria Petrović
- Awareness and knowledge of farmers, winegrowers, and students on microplastics in agricultural soil, Viktoria Stagl, Claudia Preininger
- Communicating Microplastics Science through Education, Katrin Školnik Škrabe, Lea Komerički Kotnik, Anja Bubik
- InPlasTwin – Increasing expertise in micro- and nanoplastics analysis through twinning action, Janja Vidmar, Nhu Phan, Milica Velimirović, Katrin Loeschner, Nanna B. Hartmann, André Marcel Bienfait, Dimitrios Savvas, Gordana Racić, Mladen Radišić
- Microplastics in suspended sediments of the Danube River – preliminary results of the SUNDANSE project research, Timofti Mihaela, Yevhen Nasiedkin, Ruslan Havryliuk, Madalina Calmuc, Vladyslav Balinsky
- Methodological Challenges of Microplastic Sampling and Analysis in the Framework of the MicroDrink Project, Branislav Petrović, Ana Selak, Gábor Bordós, Sebastian Koeppel, Lindinger Helga, Uta Wemhöner, Jadranka Šangulin, Mirna Švec, Ljiljana Vasić, Saša Milanović, Veljko Marinović, Jasmina Lukač Reberski, Ivana Boljat, Marek Polášek, Anja Torkar, Mihael Brenčič, Mohammad Alqadi, Gabriele Chiogna
Lunch Break
14:15–15:15
14:15–15:15
Plenary Lecture 4
15:15–15:45
15:15–15:45
One tool to test it all: The harmonized analysis of microplastics by siMPle
Speaker: Dr. Sebastian Primpke, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Germany [online]
Moderators: Dr. Ana Mendez, University of Galway, Ireland and Dr. Ljiljana Milošević, Educons University, Serbia
Participant Presentations (session 4: Project Presentations and Networking)
15:45–16:15
15:45–16:15
- An Innovative Sampling Solution for Microplastics in Small Shallow Rivers, Anja Bubik, Aljoša Krajnc, Nataša Uranjek
- An insider’s view of Nature journals, Raghavendra Palankar
- ECO(RE)ACT-Pioneering ecosystem-based microplastics contamination reduction and climate change resilience in cross-border region, Biljana Panin
- Empowering Green Skills through EDU4PlastiCircular: Educational Resources and Awareness Campaigns, Anca DRĂGHICI, Florica MANEA, Cristiana RUS, Anastasia ROȘCA, Aniela POP
Networking & Coffee Time
16:15–16:30
16:15–16:30
Participant Presentation (session 4: Project Presentations and Networking)
16:30–17:30
16:30–17:30
- ICPLASTIC – ISO Compatible, Efficient and Reproducible Protocols/Equipment for Micro-Nanoplastic Detection Through Machine-Learning, Aleksandra Tubić
- INSPIRE – Innovative Solutions for Plastic Free European Rivers, Annamaria Vujanović
- Investigation of the Content of Micropolymers in Sediment and Biota from a Marine Ecosystem, Sevdalina H. Turmanova, Yancho H. Hristov, Dimitrina S. Kiryakova, Alexander N. Dimitrov, Nikola S. Todorov, Emilia D. Ivanova, Plamena V. Atanasova, Ganka R. Kolchakova, Antonia S. Ilieva, Elena Y. Mollova
- Microplastics for Breakfast: Strengthening research collaboration and science to business to policy dialogue in the Western Balkan, Andreja Palatinus
- NOMAD: Nano-/Microplastic Mobility and Contaminant Co-Transport in Groundwater – A Multiscale Study with Finnish Perspective, Muhammad Muniruzzaman, Evgenii Kortunov, Tuomo Soininen, Tenzin Tsering, Jarkko Akkanen, Arto Koistinen
Conference Closing with a glass of local wine
17:30
17:30