Air samples were collected during an expedition of the research vessel Heincke in 2021. The data reveals the amount of different types of plastic in the ocean air. Analyses showed that microplastic particles from polyester and other plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate and polystyrene were present in all samples. The most common sources of these particles include textile fibres and tyre wear from cars. The concentration of microplastics in the air reached up to 37.5 nanograms per cubic metre.
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Study examines acceptance of biobased innovations in the Rhineland
Innovations from the bioeconomy are important drivers for mastering the major challenges of the future, such as climate change, food security, raw material scarcity and species loss. With its bioeconomy strategy, the German government initiated the shift toward a sustainable and resource-conserving economy years ago and put the promotion of bioeconomic innovations on the political agenda. However, the establishment of bio-based technologies also requires acceptance among the population.
Nitric oxide metabolizing bacteria cultivated
Nitric oxide - NO for short - is a gas that is both important and deadly to living things. Researchers speculate that it may have been involved in the origin of life as a precursor to oxygen in prehistoric times. However, it damages the ozone layer and can react to form nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. Reactive nitric oxide is also a signaling molecule that is toxic to many organisms. However, some microorganisms can feed on the energy-rich gas.
Earth Comission (2023): Safe and just Earth system boundaries
In their study, published in the journal Nature, the group led by Johan Rockström of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) writes that seven out of eight "safe and fair boundaries" of the Earth system have already been exceeded. In the researchers' view, humans are endangering the stability and resilience of the planet with their current way of life.
TU Darmstadt (2023): Decline of insect populations in forests
Fewer and fewer insects live in Germany, not only on fields and farmland, but also in forests. This is the result of a study conducted by the Technical University (TU) of Darmstadt in cooperation with the Technical University of Munich.
2019 Research Survey on the Bioeconomy (Copy) (Copy)
The bioeconomy is a complex interdisciplinary subject with economic, social and ecological dimensions. Accordingly, research in this country is diversified. In the natural sciences, academic disciplines range from agricultural science, biotechnology, materials science and environmental technology to nutritional science. There are also research activities in the humanities such as the social sciences, economics, politics and law that are relevant to the bioeconomy.
Now available in English: Bioeconomy in Germany
What is the bioeconomy? In which sectors is biobased economic activity already a reality in this country? And how does the German government support this strategy for sustainable economic growth? These questions are answered in the brochure "Bioeconomy in Germany", published jointly by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL).
Driving the bioeconomy forward in Saxony
In 2020, the Saxon state government has anchored the bioeconomy in its innovation strategy in order to drive sustainability in the areas of circular economy, agriculture and forestry, raw materials management and energy. The conditions for a sustainable and bio-based economy are good: Almost half of the state's land area is used for agriculture. This means that the state has a solid agricultural and forestry-based raw materials base. In addition, there is a strong industry in the areas of food, wood processing and textiles.