Fate and effects of personal care products in subtropical and tropical sediments: the importance of sediment-dwelling invertebrates for degradation

The project aims at addressing the impact of 1) household and personal care chemicals (HPCs) in a direct discharge scenario in China (Guangzhou) and Thailand (Bangkok) addressing the “legacy” part of the direct discharge question with focus on sediment-dwelling fauna within a gradient from the wastewater outlet covering areas affected by wastewater (impact zones) to unaffected areas, and 2) key sediment dwellers and the microbial community for the fate (persistence) of HPCs in the receiving sediment