Assessment of microbial community and antimicrobial resistance associated with microplastics in organic-waste and development of smart monitoring tech

The project would aim i) to design new monitoring system based on optical sensors technology coupled with novel artificial intelligence algorithms, for autonomous, and rapid detection of microplastics in environmental samples, ii) quantify microplastics in sludge and soil receiving sludges with the new technology and established protocols, iii) assess the microbial community associated with microplastics, and iv) determine if microplastics affects antimicrobial resistance in sludges and soil receiving sludges using culture dependent and independent methods. Outcomes from this research will help us to assess the extent of microplastics distribution in such samples, how it could affect microorganisms and spread AMR, and to directly inform environmental protection agencies to consider for future update in legislation