The Challenge
Predicting Microplastic Environmental Fate
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants with poorly understood environmental fate. Standard chemical fate models cannot account for the unique behavior of plastic particles — size-dependent transport, heteroaggregation, and fragmentation. Regulators need quantitative tools to predict where microplastics accumulate and their environmental persistence across compartments.
Our Methodology
A multimedia fate modeling framework for quantifying microplastic environmental persistence
SimpleBox4Plastic Foundation
Built on the SB4P multimedia fate model. Models plastic particle transport across air, fresh water, sea water, soil, and sediment compartments with size-dependent processes including heteroaggregation and sedimentation.
Polymer-Specific Modelling
Implemented built-in support for three common polymer types — polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) — with pre-configured physicochemical properties. Custom substances also supported.
Fate Factor Computation
Computes fate factors (FF_ij) representing the steady-state increase in mass concentration in receiving compartment j per unit emission rate from source compartment i. Also calculates Particle Volume Ratio for environmental partitioning assessment.
Predefined Emission Scenarios
Includes predefined scenarios from the original SB4P model plus 6 additional scenarios from Schwarz et al. covering realistic emission pathways for microplastics from wastewater, atmospheric deposition, and agricultural application.
Cloud Deployment with REST API
Deployed as a zero-code web application on the Enalos Cloud Platform with RESTful API endpoints for steady-state calculations, enabling integration into automated assessment workflows.