Young scientist scores in the elite programme

The project by Stefan Haun, Ph. D., head of the Hydraulic Laboratory of the Institute for Modelling Hydraulic and Environmental Systems, which was awarded by the inclusion in the Elite Programme, comes from the field of water and environmental protection. He wants to deal with the accumulation of microplastics in reservoirs and dams and the associated dangers. The funding from the Elite Programme amounts to up to 120,000 euros with a maximum term of three years. The University of Stuttgart will support the projects with an additional 10 percent. With the Elite Programme for Postdocs, the Baden-Württemberg Foundation supports excellent scientists on their way to professorship.

"We are delighted that two young scientists from the University of Stuttgart have been included in the current tranche of the Baden-Württemberg Foundation's elite programme, which underlines the strength of the university's research. The funding supports researchers in achieving their scientific goals," said Prof. Monilola Olayioye, Vice Rector for Young Scientists and Diversity.

The pollution of the oceans and freshwater ecosystems by plastic is a growing problem. Research into microplastics and its effects on the ecosystem is currently focused almost exclusively on the oceans. However, the transport route there is via watercourses. If the flow behaviour of rivers is disturbed due to anthropogenic influences, these particles sink and accumulate. Dams are therefore sinks for sediments, pollutants and microplastics. The aim of the project is to gain basic knowledge about the occurrence and the effects of microplastics on the erosion stability of sediment deposits by means of selected reservoirs. This new knowledge forms the basis for a risk assessment and should help to avoid an increased risk for the ecosystem.