Workshop on microplastics at the SEGH 2026 conference
On Monday, July 13, 2026, as part of the 41st International Conference on Environmental Geochemistry and Health (SEGH 2026), we participated in conducting a workshop titled “Microplastics in sediment, groundwater, and wastewater.” We presented a portion of the research conducted in collaboration with Gorenje d.d., IzVRS, and NIB within the framework of an ARIS applied research project.
We demonstrated the practical procedure for preparing washing machine wastewater samples to the participants, focusing on filtration and the subsequent preparation of filters for microscopic analysis. The first part covered the setup of the filtration apparatus, the filtration process, and sample preparation for observation.
Subsequently, participants examined the samples using an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The demonstration illustrated how microscopic methods allow for the observation of microfibers released during the washing of synthetic textiles, as well as the assessment of their shape, size, and surface characteristics.
The workshop aimed to demonstrate the entire workflow—from wastewater collection to microscopic analysis—and to discuss the capabilities and limitations of various methods used in microplastics research.
