Leader: Magnus Engwall, University of Örebro
The processes of sorption of organic pollutants and additives onto MPs are very complex and poorly understood. The objective of this WP is to investigate the sorption equilibrium kinetics of model persistent pollutants to MPs, in order to test the potential role of MPs as vectors of marine pollutants. The model contaminants that will be used in the uptake, toxicity and trophic transfer WPs will be adsorbed to selected plastic particles of the appropriate size and form.

Leader: Ronny Blust, University of Antwerp
A specific and poorly studied class of compounds are the MPs which occur in different forms and sizes and also create ad(b)sorption surfaces for many other (lipophilic) toxic compounds. WP2 aims to provide information concerning the uptake and accumulation of these materials to a variety of aquatic species under both acute and more chronic ecologically relevant conditions. Within WP2 the uptake, accumulation and elimination of different types of MPs will be studied in a comparative manner under a series of pre‐defined and relevant scenarios.

Leader: Xavier Coussin, IFREMER
Recruitment (the ability of one individual to contribute to the next generation) is a key indicator of a species status and also an integrative indicator of anthropogenic or natural pressures on ecosystems. In WP 3, the consequences of MPs and organic or metallic PP on several key physiological functions for recruitment: survival, growth, reproduction as well as behaviour will be evaluated. This will allow to assess the abilities of individuals to explore their environment, to find food and partners.

Leader: Marina Albentosa, IEO
The exposure to MPs and adsorbed pollutants produces a variety of not only adverse effects, but also adaptation responses in the organisms as a means of counteracting the negative effect of toxic substances on their functioning. There is a wide variety of biological responses that can potentially be used to evaluate the effects of toxicants on marine ecosystems. WP4 will evaluate the effect of MPs and the adsorbed PPs in most of the biological models (from cell lines to vertebrates) by means of a wide set of biomarkers from a very low level of organization such as gene expression, to the highest such as individual energy balance with special focus on energy allocated to reproduction.

Leader: Thomas Braunbeck, University of Heidelberg
WP5 has been designed to find out whether MPs accumulate along food chains and serve as vectors for persistent pollutants (PPs), thus leading to adverse effects at molecular, cellular, physiological and organismic levels. In a proof‐of‐concept approach, various simple model food chains will be compared with respect to their suitability to mimic potential trophic transfer in marine ecosystems. WP5 will thus provide important information as to the relevance of the public concerns about MPs.

Leader: Francesco Regoli, Marche Polytechnic University
The overall objective of this Work Package is to support results obtained in WPs 1 to 5 with relevant field data describing the occurrence, distribution, typology and chemical loads of MPs in representative biota of three geographical areas from Mediterranean (M), North East Atlantic (NEA), a North Sea Fjord (NSF) and a North Sea estuary (NSE) respectively. The combination of field data with results of other WPs will be fundamental to identify the most sensitive organisms and to extrapolate the ecotoxicological risk of MPs from the laboratory to the environmental scale.

Leader: Kathrin Kopke, University College Cork
WP7 aims to communicate and disseminate projects findings and outputs to a range of audiences such as public authorities relevant to European Directives, relevant private sector organisations and Industry,  academia in related fields of expertise to support associated research as well as the general public to increase awareness of micro plastics and associated concerns. For stakeholder engagement several tools and avenues will be employed to share and exchange information in close collaboration with the project partners to ensure project results and outputs are communicated in a scientifically correct manner.

Coordinator: Ricardo Beiras, University of Vigo
Project coordination is refering to the scientific and administrative coordination of the project and involves strategic management as well as quality control of project activities. As such the overall progress of the project and internal communication between Work Package Leads is faciliated and contact with the financing entity and superior organs are maintained. Furthermore project coordination also involves the financial, technical and administrative day-to-day management, as well as the organisation of meetings.