The National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER, President Kum Hanseung) under the Ministry of Environment will hold the 7th International Microplastics Symposium 2024 with the theme “Trends in Domestic and International Analysis of Microplastics and Future Tasks” on November 1 at the SME DMC Tower located in Mapo-gu, Seoul.

The NIER has been holding the International Microplastics Symposium annually since 2018 to respond to the microplastics issue and seek solutions. This year’s event will be live-streamed* online (YouTube) starting at 1:10 p.m. on November 1. 

* Search for “International Microplastics Symposium” on YouTube (www.youtube.com) to watch.

The event will be divided into two sessions: Session 1 will focus on “Overseas trends of research on analysis for microplastics,” and Session 2 will address “Domestic trends of research on analysis for microplastics.” Eight domestic and international experts from countries including Australia, China, Japan, and Germany, as well as South Korea, will present and discuss recent research trends regarding microplastics.

In Session 1, Dr. Mike Williams from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia will present on “Microplastics research in wastes for risk assessment,” while Professor Eddy Y. Zeng from South China University of Technology will discuss “Characterization of plastic debris in riverine runoff.” In addition, Professor Haruka Nakano from Kyushu University in Japan will present on “Microplastic analysis and monitoring in Japan,” and Dr. Natalia Ivleva from the Technical University of Munich in Germany will introduce “Raman-based methods for analysis of microplastics.”

In Session 2, Professor Yeo Joon Yoon from Yonsei University will present on “Development of microplastic collection device and distribution characteristics by depth in freshwater,” while Dr. Hye Weon Yu from K-water will speak on “Microplastics analysis using FT-IR and Raman technologies and distribution characteristics in drinking water treatment plants.” In addition, Professor Young Min Kim from Daegu University will discuss “Microplastics analysis in environment matrices utilizing cutting-edge Py-GC/MS technologies,” and Mr. Byung-il Choi from the Korea Testing & Research Institute will present his research on “Reference material development for microplastic analysis.”

After the presentations by the experts, there will be a discussion time where both domestic and international speakers, as well as the audience, can participate and discuss the current state and future challenges of microplastics. 

Lee Jong-cheon, Director General of Environmental Infrastructure Research Department at the NIER, stated, “This event is a platform for microplastics experts from various fields to come together and strengthen scientific foundations.” He added, “We will strive to share research trends on microplastics and seek collaboration opportunities through continuous discussions and exchanges with domestic and international experts.”