Ecotoxicological Profiling of Prioritized Plastics Additives in Freshwater and Soil
Sustainability of plastics cannot be achieved without evidence-based knowledge on potential hazards regarding both the chemical makeup of the material as well as physical effects of plastic particles (nano/microplastics). By the current knowledge, over 16 000 chemicals have been associated with plastics. Monitoring studies have shown ubiquitous presence of microplastics and the largest group of plastics functional additives - plasticizers.
The ESR project is about environmental hazard analysis of selected plastic additives (and nano/microplastic) in environmentally relevant exposure settings. The aim is to mimic potential exposure scenarios but also to analyse the potential toxicity drivers/mechanisms. Due to the number of open questions in plastic hazard research, the hypotheses can be formulated jointly by the supervisors and the ESR, depending on his/her background.
For instance, whether to focus on aquatic or terrestrial biota; on plastic additives or micro/nanoplastics. Also, the polymer types will be selected together in the final planning phase. The number of plastics additives is high and compared to microplastics, it is a considerably understudied field. As the biological effects of nanoplastics is another potential research avenue, experience in nano(eco)toxicology or hazard evaluation of particulate contaminants is beneficial.
Dr. Margit Heinlaan (ORCID ID: 0000-0003-1528-2461) has over 15 years of experience in ecotoxicological research, foremost in hazard evaluation of nanomaterials and plastic-related chemicals with freshwater invertebrates.
Biological impact of nanomaterials was the focus of her doctoral (“Ecotoxicological Evaluation of Synthetic Nanoparticles and Particulate Environmental Samples”; Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2010) and post-doctoral projects (University of Geneva, 2015).
M. Heinlaan has co-supervised 2 PhD students (“Hazard Evaluation of Metal-Based Nanoparticles and Lanthanides with Freshwater Microcrustaceans” and “Design and Physico-Chemical Characterization of Metal-Containing Nanoparticles for Antimicrobial Coatings”). Currently she is co-supervising PhD project “Microplastics in Wastewater Treatment Plants and Possible Removal Technological Solutions”.
M. Heinlaan is one of the leading experts in comprehensive plastic hazard research in Estonia, cooperating with industry and public service providers.
Key words: Microplastics, plastics additives, plasticizers
Number of Publications: 27; H-index = 16 (WoS)
Key Funding:
- Estonian Research Council grant PRG1427 (2022-2026);
- Central Baltic Programme 2021-2027 CB0600327 - Balt-Plast-Free (2025-2028)
Awards, memberships:
- Member of Estonian Society of Toxicology;
- Nominated member of AcademiaNet (database of outstanding women researchers)
- M. Heinlaan’s own PhD thesis was awarded I prize at Estonian National Science Contest for University Level Students. The two PhD theses she has co-supervised have been awarded I prize and Honourable mention at the same contest.
Link to Environmental Toxicology lab
Prof. Anita Jemec Kokalj (ORCID ID: 0000-0003-3143-4461) has more than 20 years of experience in the field of ecotoxicology with the majority of her research focused on material (nanomaterials, plastic) ecotoxicity research, both fate and environmental hazard.
Her research is focused on potential effects of materials using different test systems, from cell lines, invertebrates to vertebrate embryos. She particularly employs methods to investigate the effects at cellular and tissue level being able to investigate different functional traits of organisms. Since 2015 she has led microplastics research at UL and has been involved in 2 international projects as UL leader and is leading 2 national microplastic related projects. Her particular focus in soil ecotoxicity of microplastics.
Up to know she has the following record of PhD students: 1 PhD student defended (Andraž Dolar, cum laude), and 1 PhD as co-supervisor defended (Ula Rozman now Putar). She is currently a co-mentor to one PhD student. She has been involved in 15 MSc theses: 9 co-supervisor, 9 reviewer for thesis, 26 member of defence committee, and invited member of doctoral defence committee (University of Aveiro, Portugal) (2021). She has acted as invited opponent for Doctoral dissertation: University of Helsinki (2016), and opponents at Tallinn University of Technology (2014), University of Tartu (2025), University of Dublin (2025), and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (2025).
Dr. Irina Blinova (ORCID ID: 0000-0001-7569-3233) is a Senior Researcher who has long-term experience in ecotoxicological research of contaminated natural samples (surface water, soil, sediments, effluents) and different chemical groups (lanthanides, heavy metals, nanoparticles, anilines etc.) using species from different trophic levels. Her research focuses on the aquatic ecosystem. I. Blinova has 46 publications (WoS); 3363 citations, has supervised 2 PhD students and has 15+ years of supervision experience.
Successful candidate has clear interest in environmental issues.
Successful candidate has preferably: i) experience in plastic/polymer-related research and/or hazard research of particulate chemicals (e.g. nanoparticles); ii) one peer-reviewed research article in Q1 journal.
Strong background in one/several fields: environmental toxicology, ecological risk assessment, environmental chemistry, aquatic biology, soil ecology.
Hard skills (preferably at least 3): ecotoxicological assays (aquatic and/or terrestrial); AOP (advanced outcome pathway) concept; analytical techniques (e.g. FTIR, GC-MS, DLS, microscopy); data management, scientific writing.
Soft skills (preferably all the listed): motivation; critical thinking, time-management, independence, perseverance.