Microplastics can now be detected in all the world's oceans, rivers, lakes, soils and even in the air.
Source: iStock/Mario De Moya F
Materials and products interact with the environment over their entire life cycle - from production to use and disposal. At BAM, we develop measurement methods and simulations to describe such interactions qualitatively and quantitatively.
The focus is on biological and chemical-physical influences on materials. Contact with living organisms such as microorganisms and insects and changes to the colonized materials through biological processes are understood as a natural state of the overall system. With this perspective, we develop solutions for biological material protection.
We assess the impact of anthropogenic materials on the environment. Microbiomes and insects are the focus of our research. We are investigating whether microbial communities can serve as indicators of the environmental impact of materials, whether material-protecting biocides promote resistance in microorganisms to antimicrobial substances such as antibiotics, and how environmental influences affect the immune system of insects.
Environmental influences such as global radiation, precipitation and temperature changes can release pollutants and other material components into the environment. We identify them so that industry can develop more environmentally friendly, innovative products and materials. In this way, we make an important contribution to improving the environmental behavior and environmental compatibility of sustainable materials and products.
