TY - CONF A1 - Oberbeckmann, Sonja T1 - Hunting for pigments in plastic biofilms from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch N2 - Each year, an immense amount of plastic debris enters marine ecosystems, much of which ends up in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP). The plastic fragments are home to a diverse community of microorganisms, and while researchers have gained a better understanding of these marine plastic biofilms, we lack insights into the physiology and genomic potential of the bacteria that colonize them. Examining the lifestyle of plastic colonizers from the GPGP is particularly intriguing, as the high concentration of plastics in this accumulation zone might allow for a microbial adaptation to this unique man-made habitat. A range of pigmentation was observed in 67 isolated strains obtained directly from plastic pieces sampled from the GPGP surface water. Sequence comparison between the cultivated bacterial strains and the 16S rRNA gene amplicon dataset confirmed that most of the cultivates could also be captured through DNA-only methods. Whole genome analysis of four taxonomically diverse representatives revealed multiple carotenoid pathways, including those to produce less common glycosylated carotenoids, like sarcinaxanthin glucoside. Further, we identified a potentially new Rhodobacteraceae species containing a photosynthetic gene cluster (PGC). Absorption analysis confirmed the actual production of the carotenoids and bacteriochlorophyll a. Floating plastics represent a habitat with strong UV-light exposure, making the protection with antioxidant carotenoids as well as the ability to use light as an energy source highly beneficial traits for plastic colonizers. Our findings indicate, that the production of pigments is a common adaption mechanism for plastic-associated bacteria, and that plastic biofilms present a so far overlooked source of rare carotenoids and light-harvesting mechanisms. T2 - Annual Conference of The Association for General and Applied Microbiology (VAAM) CY - Göttingen, Germany DA - 10.09.2023 KW - Plastic biofilm KW - Phototrophic bacteria KW - Plastic pollution PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-58443 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Song, Jessica T1 - (micro)Plastic biofilms: Keeping afloat by carving out a new niche N2 - As pervasive and persistent pollutants, microplastics exist alongside vast microbial communities in nature. These hardy substrates accumulate rich polymeric matrices from their surroundings that in turn offer nutrition and protection to diverse communities and their theatre of activity, representing a new ecological niche. In our research to date, biofilm communities demonstrate no specificity to plastic polymers but appear rather to be more strongly shaped by spatial and temporal factors. Other synthetic substrates such as tyre wear, however, signal towards some form of community selection that may manifest in the presence of leachates from the polymer itself. Contrary to these biofilms, polyaromatic hydrocarbons appear to observe the opposite pattern, with adsorbed concentrations on plastic more strongly dictated by the type of plastic polymer than the environment itself. Although community specificity has not yet been evidenced among different plastic polymers, our studies show that microplastics might shape communities in a different way. As suggested by our detection of carotenoid synthesis pathways and photosynthetic gene clusters among microplastic biofilms, we postulate this new niche to shape a specific functional toolkit adaptive among its members as a product of prolonged exposure to UV radiation at the sea’s surface. This opens exciting new avenues for further research into the functional capabilities of these biofilms and offers new perspective on their potential beyond subordinate processes such as biodegradation. Here, we present a synthesis of our collective research on microplastic biofilms, the factors that shape them, and their interactions with nature. T2 - MICRO 2024 Conference CY - Lanzarote, Spain DA - 23.09.2024 KW - Biofilms KW - Microplastics KW - Microbial ecology KW - 16S amplicon KW - Pollutants PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-61990 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Bresch, Harald T1 - Nanomaterial characterisation - The long way to standardisation N2 - In 1981 the OECD published the Test Guideline on Particle size and size distribution. This TG is still a valid document for the measurement of particles all over the world. When nanomaterials gained importance, ISO set up a technical commitee for Nanotechnologies in 2005 and the OECD followed this step in 2006 with the Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials. In the following years ISO and OECD published several documents about nanomaterials and the systematisation developed. In 2017 it was finally clear that nanomaterials need to be adressed in another way than chemicals and in 2020 ECHA revised the REACH-Annexes accordingly and included nanomaterials. Unfortunately there is a little problem with this: Only a few applicable test guidelines exit for the measurement of the nanomaterials. Several test guidelines date from 1981 and do not address nanomaterials. The logical next step for the OECD would be to publish a series of test guidelines which are indeed currently prepared and will be shown in this talk. Finally there is an additional need for the future of NM standardisation: Digitalisation. T2 - Bilateral workshop with Uni Bermingham CY - Online meeting DA - 10.03.2021 KW - Nano KW - Standardisation KW - Test guideline KW - OECD KW - Nanomaterial PY - 2021 AN - OPUS4-53822 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Seneschal-Merz, Karine T1 - New UV-protective glazing for the conservation of cultural assets N2 - For centuries, churches, secular buildings and museums have been furnished with valuable works of art. Many works of art are UV- and light-sensitive. It is well known that especially UV radiation causes damage and discoloration in paintings, textiles, plastics, wood and other materials. In particular, the wavelengths between 280 and 410 nm cause color changes, embrittlement or destruction of e.g. plastics over time. Therefore, strongly UV-absorbing glasses are advantageous for architecture and are necessary for the protection of cultural assets. As restorers in all disciplines become more and more aware, the demands placed on buildings and their furnishings in terms of climate are becoming increasingly detailed and precise. The aim in each case is to preserve the valuable artwork. For some years now, the industry has been offering the protection of cultural objects by installing special UV-protective glasses. Currently, UV protection for church buildings is realized by laminated safety glass equipped with appropriate UV-protective plastic films. Technically, this always means a second pane of glass in front of the windows, which is installed outside the building. This creates climatic gaps that are difficult to control and deterioration due to ageing effects can be expected. At the same time, this protective glazing is not invisible and has a considerable aesthetic influence on the interior and exterior appearance of the building. Meanwhile, the preservation of historical monuments accepts such aesthetic cuts on buildings in order to protect the artwork in the interior from UV light. To this day, however, the long-term durability of UV protection provided by inserted plastic films is still controversial. To date the only available alternative on the market is a mouth-blown UV protection glass which uses a so-called overlay to provide UV protection. This shows that UV protection can also be achieved by glasses without plastic films thus realizing an exclusive inorganic protection which normally is more stable than a polymeric one. So far there are not enough studies to prove long-term durability. The aim of this project is to provide existing glazing or new glazing to be created with a highly transparent layer that ensures this UV-protective filter function below 400 nm. The glass coating is to be applied to the glass over a large area and fired into the surface like a classic ceramic enamel paint with the same technics. In addition, it should be long-term durable in its function. It means, that the glass has to be fused at temperatures below 630 °C during the firing process, its chemical durability has to be high, its coefficient of thermal expansion has to be as close as the one of the substrate (usually float glass) and the glass has to absorb the UV-radiation within a thin thickness (thinner as 100 µm). In this project, the long-term durability of commercial UV-protective glasses is examined. New low melting glasses containing UV-absorbing ions are being developed. Their UV-absorption as a thin layer is analyzed as well as their chemical durability and their thermal properties. We are grateful to BMWI for the financial support in the frame of the Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM). T2 - HVG-DGG: 94. Glastechnische Tagung CY - Online meeting DA - 10.05.2021 KW - Glass KW - Low melting KW - Chemical durability KW - Weathering tests KW - Aging test KW - UV absorption KW - UV protection KW - Architecture KW - Optical properties PY - 2021 AN - OPUS4-52648 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Bresch, Harald T1 - Standard Operating Procedures in the digital context N2 - The intention of the presentation is to inspire a discussion on the needs and challenges for the digitalisation of SOPs. SOPs are available for the disciplines of physical-chemical characterisation, for toxicology, for environmental applications and for exposure applications. Furthermore the SOPs need to be integrated in the regulatory framework and need to be detailed enough for the digital processing. This is highlighted in this presentation. T2 - Nanosafety 2020 CY - Online meeting DA - 07.10.2020 KW - Nano KW - SOP KW - NFDI KW - Digitalisation KW - Operating Procedure PY - 2020 AN - OPUS4-51491 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Oberbeckmann, Sonja T1 - Microplastic-microbiome interactions in aquatic ecosystems: a complex story N2 - As pervasive and persistent pollutants, microplastics exist alongside diverse microbial communities in nature. These hardy substrates accumulate rich polymeric matrices from their surroundings that in turn offer nutrition and protection to diverse communities and their theatre of activity, representing a new ecological niche. With our work, we aim to establish a holistic understanding of the interactions between microplastics and microorganisms within aquatic systems, and how these interactions shape their surrounding environment. In our research, we combine field sampling with in situ experiments, and apply high-throughput sequencing technologies to 16S genes and whole bacterial genomes. We demonstrate through our studies that biofilm communities exhibit no specificity to plastic polymer type but appear rather to be opportunistic colonizers more strongly shaped by spatial and temporal factors. While the polymer surface does not appear to elicit a selective effect on associated biofilms, our studies show that microplastics might shape communities in a different way. Based on our detection of carotenoid synthesis pathways and photosynthetic gene clusters among plastic biofilms, we postulate this new niche to shape a specific functional toolkit, adaptive among its members as a product of prolonged exposure to UV radiation at the sea’s surface. To fully assess the interactions between microplastics and microorganisms, however, one cannot consider plastics singularly but as a component within a more complex and interconnected system. It is known, for instance, that plastics can sorb significant concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the environment. We show, in our work, that the PAH sorption patterns of microplastics correlate significantly with the structure of associated biofilm communities. Elevated concentrations of specific PAHs on microplastics coincided with the enrichment of selected taxa reportedly capable of hydrocarbon utilisation as well as a reduced diversity among associated biofilm communities. Here, we present a synthesis of our collective research on microplastic biofilms in the aquatic environment, the factors that shape them, and their interactions with nature. To fully comprehend how microplastics impact ecosystems, the entire substrate must be considered, including all chemicals integrated into the polymeric matrix as well as associated biofilms. T2 - SETAC Europe 35th Annual Meeting CY - Vienna, Austria DA - 11.05.2025 KW - Microplastics KW - Biofilms KW - PAH PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-63154 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Horn, Wolfgang T1 - The BEMMA-Scheme helpful for low VOC inside display cases? N2 - Museums worldwide are equipped with different display cases. Exhibit display cases should protect cultural objects from dust as well as from mechanical and physical damage. To ensure a stable climate inside the display cases, a low air exchange rate is maintained. Typically, air exchange rates are often smaller than 0.1 d-1, which can result in rising concentrations of potential harmful VOC inside of the display cases due to emissions from materials. Especially organic acids, e. g. formic or acetic acid which can emit from e.g. sealing materials or wood-based materials, can produce damage of cultural objects. In 2012 BAM introduced a procedure which is called: BEMMA-Scheme (Bewertung von Emissionen aus Materialien für Museums¬ausstattungen) which stands for: “Assessment of Emissions from Materials for Museum Equipment”. Regarding the testing procedure only construction materials were evaluated, not the display cases their self. Micro chambers are used for VOC emission tests of display case construction materials, e.g. plastics, sealing materials, coatings, textiles and others. Each sampling procedure is carried out in duplicate. Emissions like formic acid, acetic acid, formaldehyde, piperidine-derivates and oximes are excluded and the sum of emissions of VVOCs, VOCs and SVOCs is limited. For a positive assessment all listed criteria must be fulfilled; otherwise the display construction material fails the BEMMA scheme. T2 - Indoor Air Quality in Heritage and Historic Environments CY - Online meeting DA - 12.10.2020 KW - Museum KW - VOC-emission KW - BEMMA KW - Display case PY - 2020 AN - OPUS4-51470 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Oberbeckmann, Sonja T1 - The microplastic microbiome – an example for the intersection of biology and material research N2 - Biofilms live on the interface between human-made materials and the environment. Using aquatic plastics as an example, we explore their composition, their interactions with the plastic substrate, and their potentially useful functional roles. The presentation will further discuss the importance of considering plastic-associated pollutants in the investigation of such biofilms. T2 - Microbiological Colloquium ICBM CY - Oldenburg, Germany DA - 10.07.2025 KW - Microplastics KW - Microbiome KW - Biofilm PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-63836 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Grimmer, Christoph T1 - Constant emitting reference material for material test procedures N2 - In industrialised countries more than 80% of the time is spent indoors. Products, such as building materials and furniture, emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are therefore ubiquitous in indoor air. VOC in combination may, under certain environmental and occupational conditions, result in reported sensory irritation and health complaints. Emission concentrations can become further elevated in new or refurbished buildings where the rate of air exchange with fresh ambient air may be limited due to improved energy saving aspects. A healthy indoor environment can be achieved by controlling the sources and by eliminating or limiting the release of harmful substances into the air. One way is to use (building) materials proved to be low emitting. Meanwhile, a worldwide network of professional commercial and non-commercial laboratories performing emission tests for the evaluation of products for interior use has been established. Therefore, comparability of test results must be ensured. A laboratory’s proficiency can be proven by internal and external validation measures that both include the application of suitable emission reference materials (ERM). For the emission test chamber procedure according to EN 16516, no artificial ERM is commercially available. The EU-funded EMPIR project MetrIAQ aims to fill this gap by developing new and improved ERMs. The goal is to obtain a material with a reproducible and temporally constant compound release (less than 10% variability over 14 days). Different approaches, such as the impregnation of porous materials, are being tested. The generation as well as results of the most promising materials will be presented. T2 - Airmon 2022 CY - Bristol, UK DA - 07.11.2022 KW - Emission reference materials KW - Emission test chamber procedure KW - Quality assurance KW - Reference material PY - 2022 AN - OPUS4-56575 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Song, Jessica T1 - Close encounters on a micro scale: Dynamics and interactions of microplastic biofilms in aquatic ecosystems. N2 - Microplastics circulate freely throughout aquatic ecosystems and, due to their interactive nature, accumulate complex polymeric matrices consisting of rich organic compounds and inorganic pollutants. Simultaneously, these hardy substrates offer nutrition and protection to diverse microbial communities and their theatre of activity, representing a new ecological niche. In our work, we investigate the interactions of microplastics in aquatic systems and characterise the effects of these interactions on associated microbial communities to better understand how these substrates might impact surrounding ecosystems. Demonstrating no specificity to polymer type, microplastic biofilms are shaped more by the strong influence of spatial and temporal factors. Microplastic sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), in contrast, appear to be more strongly dictated by substrate type, with different polymers observed to sorb varying levels of different PAHs. These interactions between the different emerging contaminants were found in our study to have a significant effect on associated substrate biofilms. Elevated levels of specific 3- and 4-ring PAHs on polyethylene and polystyrene were found to coincide with a notable shift in community composition and structure, as well as a reduced diversity among biofilm communities. The findings in our study illustrate the importance of investigating the collective effect of pollutants in combination and their complex interactions in assessing their environmental impact. To fully understand how microplastics interact and alter surrounding ecosystems, the entire substrate must be considered, including all chemicals integrated into the polymeric matrix. T2 - Biofilms 11 Conference CY - Cardiff, Wales, UK DA - 13.05.2025 KW - Microplastics KW - Biofilms KW - PAHs PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-63389 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -