Microplastic research and technology
Research group
01.09.2016 -
Department of Technical Physics, Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology
Leaders
Microplastic research group focuses on the following topics:
- Research and development of technologies feasible for microplastic analysis
- Optical methods
- Data analysis
- Quantitative and qualitative measurements of microplastics from environmental and industrial samples (incl. food)
- Development of analytical methods
- Microplastic load to aquatic environments via storm waters
- Material research
- Migration of microplastics and chemicals from plastic food packages
- Effects of ageing and exposure
- Health effects of microplastics, especially for human gut microbiota
- Develoment of microplastic mitigation solutions
We have versatile and high-quality analytical instruments: imaging infrared microscope (Agilent Cary 670/620), Raman microscope (Thermo DXR2xi) and infrared spectrometer (Thermo Nicolet iS50). Moreover, we master methods for light microscopy, electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) and chemical analysis, such as chromatography mass spectrometry.
We have extensive experience on microplastic research and analyses since 2016. Our aims include e.g., to utilize the methods for environmetal and industrial samples, to develop and validate novel analytical methods, as well as to collaborate with various fields of research.
News
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MICRO 2026 - conferenceMICRO 2026 - conference
MICRO 2026 is to celebrate the community of researchers concerned with the challenge of Plastic Pollution from macro to nano. -
1st ICPLACTIC Conference
1st ICPLACTIC Conference
The 1st ICPLASTIC Conference will take place in Cádiz, Spain from 13th to 14th October.
Projects
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Circular Economy of water in industrial processes Finished 01.04.2021 - 30.03.2023 -
Analysis and removal methods of microplastics for industrial quality control Finished 18.02.2022 - 31.10.2023 -
Direct microplastic exposure via foodstuff and food packaging - plastic leachables and their health effects (diMPex) Finished 01.09.2020 - 31.08.2024 -
Circular Economy Solutions for Microplastics: Indo-Finnish Scientific Collaboration for Innovation Finished 01.01.2022 - 31.12.2024 -
NOMAD: Nano-/Microplastic Mobility and Contaminant Co-Transport in Groundwater – A Multiscale Study with Finnish Perspective 01.09.2024 - 31.08.2028
Cooperation
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Project funding awarded by the Research Council of Finland:
- NOMAD – Nano-/Microplastic Mobility and Contaminant Co-Transport in Groundwater – A Multiscale Study with Finnish Perspective (2024-2028), PI Jarkko Akkanen
- diMPex – Direct microplastic exposure via foodstuff and food packaging – plastic leachables and their health effects (2020-2024), PI Arto Koistinen
- MIF – Microplastics in Finnish Waters (2016-2020), PI Arto Koistinen
Projects funded by Business Finland:
Project funding awarded by e.g., Regional Council:
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Doctoral dissertations:
- Emilia Uurasjärvi (main subject: Chemistry) 2021: Microplastics – A challenge for environmental analytical chemistry
- Blaz Hrovat (Chemistry) 2024: Industrial Waste Management: Fly ash zeolites and microplastics
- Tuomo Soininen (Ympäristötiede) 2025: Properties and transport of microplastics in Arctic and subarctic freshwaters
- Siamak Bahrami (Ympäristötiede): TBA
- Umme Aiman (Ympäristötiede): TBA
Master’s theses:
- Hanna Kolari (environmental science) 2019: Developing a method for analysing microplastics in drinking water produced by communal waterworks
- Niko Kinnunen (environmental science) 2019: Developing a method for analyzing microplastics in packed drink products
- Minna Pääkkönen (environmental science) 2020: Microplastics in the water samples of the Baltic Sea mid-layer
- Patrik Lahtinen (nutrition) 2020: Microplastics in food
- Tuomo Soininen (environmental science) 2021: Microplastic concentrations, size distribution and polymer types in the ice layer of lake Kallavesi
- Shahina Karim (environmental science) 2021: Seasonal variation of microplastic accumulation in lake sediments
- Heidi Mäkelä (environmental science) 2023: Analysis of microplastics from cellulose-rich samples
- Pavel Kipriianov (environmental science) 2023: Methode development for monitoring microplastics in freshwater lake’s water and sediment
- Oki Stranden (environmental science) 2023: The occurrence and identity of microplastics in the water and sediment of Lake Pyhäselkä and River Pielisjoki
- Sanna Mähönen (environmental science) 2023: Effects of nanoplastics on the risk assessment of silver in aquatic organisms
- Matti Leinonen (environmental science) 2023: Performance comparison of two biochar filters in removing microplastics from artificial stormwater – impact of plastic type and size
- Roosa Visuri (environmental science) 2024: The effect of packaging type on the presence of microplastics in mineral waters
- Jonna Helli (environmental science) 2024: Bumblebees in revealing anthropogenic pollution in Finnish cities: microplastic and metals matter
- Mirka Pilli (environmental science) 2024: Microplastic emissions from tyre wear of road vehicles
- Konsta Karvonen (dentistry) 2024: MEASURING MICROPLASTIC PARTICLES IN SALIVA USING IMAGING FTIR MICROSCOPY
- Umme Aiman (environmental science): TBA
- Pauliina Jokinen (environmental science): TBA
- Henna Nieminen (environmental science) 2026: TBA
- Heli Rossi (environmental science) 2026: TBA
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Data produced by the research group and set openly accessed:
- Original data for article: Microplastics accumulate to thin layers in the stratified Baltic Sea
- Original data for article: Microplastic concentrations, size distribution, and polymer types in the surface waters of a northern European lake
- Data for article: Microplastics in Arctic Waters of the Finnish Sámi Area
- Original data for article: Particle balance and return loops for microplastics in a tertiary-level wastewater treatment plant
- Data for article: Flux rates reflect microplastic sources and their temporal and spatial deposition patterns in aquatic environments
- Data for article: Understanding the path of microplastics in lake from surface water to sediments
Keywords
Leaders
Professors
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Marjukka Kolehmainen
ProfessorInstitute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences -
Seppo Auriola
ProfessorSchool of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences -
Matthieu Roussey
ProfessorDepartment of Physics and Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology
Senior Researchers
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Marko Lehtonen
Associate ProfessorSchool of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences -
Carlos Gomez Gallego
University LecturerInstitute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences -
Laura Tomppo
Staff ScientistDepartment of Technical Physics, Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology -
Jarkko Akkanen
Research DirectorDepartment of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology
Post-doctoral Researchers
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Kaisa Raninen
University LecturerInstitute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences -
Tenzin Tsering
Postdoctoral ResearcherDepartment of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology -
Blaž Hrovat
Visiting ResearcherDepartment of Chemistry and Sustainable Technology, Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology -
Tuomo Soininen
Postdoctoral ResearcherDepartment of Technical Physics, Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology
Doctoral Researchers
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Siamak Bahrami
Visiting ResearcherDepartment of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology -
Umme Aiman
Doctoral ResearcherDepartment of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology
Supporting Staff
Collaborators
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Anna Lähde
ProfessorDepartment of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology -
Jouko Vepsäläinen
ProfessorSchool of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences -
Hanna Lehtimäki
ProfessorBusiness School, Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies -
Oksana Skaldina
Senior ResearcherDepartment of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology -
Hani El-Nezamy
ProfessorInstitute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences -
Sirpa Peräniemi
Senior ResearcherSchool of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences -
Victor Carrasco Navarro
Project ResearcherDepartment of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology -
Jussi Kukkonen
ProfessorDepartment of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology -
Kai-Erik Peiponen
Professor, EmeritusDepartment of Physics and Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology
Publications
34 items-
Coexistence of Microplastics and Heavy Metals in Wastewater Treatment Plants of Delhi, India: Occurrence, Transport, Potential Interactions, and Associated Environmental Implications
Vinay; Surana, Deepti; Carrasco-Navarro, Víctor; Helli, Jonna; Kumar, Manish; Ghosh, Pooja; Kumar, Vivek; Koistinen, Arto, 2026, ACS ES&T water, 6, 2, 843-860. A1 Journal article (refereed), original research -
A study protocol for chemical analysis and toxicity testing of virgin and recycled microplastics and associated chemicals
Järvelä, Essi; Peräniemi, Sirpa; Vepsäläinen, Jouko; Hrovat, Blaž; Raninen, Kaisa; Tomppo, Laura; Koistinen, Arto; Rysä, Jaana, 2025, Science of the total environment, 975, 179287. A1 Journal article (refereed), original research -
Aging properties of polymer pellets, release of secondary microplastics and additives in the water environment under laboratory-controlled conditions
Bućko, Michał S; Jaworek, Katarzyna; Janoszka, Katarzyna; Kernert, Joanna; Klyta, Justyna; Tsering, Tenzin; Koistinen, Arto; Sobota, Michał; Musioł, Marta, 2025, Journal of hazardous materials, 491, 137882. A1 Journal article (refereed), original research -
Circular Plastics Economy: A Multidisciplinary Perspective
Ghosh, Pooja; Carrasco-Navarro, Victor; Kumar, Sunil; Lähde, Anna; Lehtimäki, Hanna, 2025, Elsevier. C2 Edited book, conference proceedings or special issue of a journal -
Identification of microplastics with cantilever enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy in infrared region
Das, Sudatta; Fernandes, Rita; Karhu, Juho; Hrovat, Blaz; Koistinen, Arto; Martins, Roberto; Marques, Carlos; Toivonen, Juha; Ikonen, Erkki, 2025, Journal of environmental chemical engineering, 13, 5, 118556. A1 Journal article (refereed), original research -
Microplastic discharge and other anthropogenic pollution in urban runoff
Soininen, Tuomo; Koistinen, Arto, 2025, Science of the total environment, 1001, 180572. A1 Journal article (refereed), original research -
Analysis of Microplastics in Industrial Processes—Systematic Analysis of Digestion Efficiency of Samples from Forestry, Wastewater Treatment Plants and Biogas Industries
Hrovat, Blaž; Uurasjärvi, Emilia; Koistinen, Arto, 2024, Microplastics, 3, 4, 634-652. A1 Journal article (refereed), original research -
Hyperspectral imaging for identification of irregular-shaped microplastics in water
Gebejes, A; Hrovat, B; Semenov, D; Kanyathare, B; Itkonen, T; Keinänen, M; Koistinen, A; Peiponen, K-E; Roussey, M, 2024, Science of the total environment, 944, 173811. A1 Journal article (refereed), original research -
Microplastic accumulation in one-year freshwater ice: A four-year monitoring study reveals winter dynamics of microplastics
Soininen, T; Uurasjärvi, E; Koistinen, A; Saarni, S; Sorvari, J, 2024, Science of the total environment, 957, 177602. A1 Journal article (refereed), original research -
Microplastics in Arctic waters of the Finnish Sámi area
Soininen, Tuomo; Uurasjärvi, Emilia; Hämäläinen, Lauri; Huusari, Noora; Feodoroff, Juha; Moshnikoff, Jouko; Niiranen, Eetu; Feodoroff, Pauliina; Mustonen, Tero; Koistinen, Arto, 2024, Science of the total environment, 940, 173666. A1 Journal article (refereed), original research