Research Interests

Dr. Alexander Tagg is a postdoctoral researcher in microplastic pollution. He is currently working as part of the MicroCatch_Balt project here at the IOW, which aims to model anthropogenic microplastic pollution output based on the Warnow as an exemplary river system. Within this framework, Dr. Tagg has particular research interests in new microplastic pathways, such as agricultural land runoff. Additionally, he also continues his research into microplastic biofilm dynamics, particularly with a focus on paint particles in marine environments.

Dr. Tagg completed his Ph.D. at Swansea University, UK. This Ph.D. was concerned with assessing the fate of microplastics derived from industrial and domestic products in the water treatment process. This included the use of next-generation sequencing to investigate microplastic-biofilm formation in wastewater. Additionally, during this Ph.D., Dr. Tagg developed a new technique for identifying and quantifying microplastics using spectroscopic imaging, utilising a focal plane array-based reflectance micro-Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopic (FPA-based reflectance microFT-IR) approach. 

Publications and Qualifications

2020

Tagg, A. S., Sapp, M., Harrison, J. P., Sinclair, C. J., Bradley, E., Ju-Nam, Y., & Ojeda, J. J. (2020). Microplastic Monitoring at Different Stages in a Wastewater Treatment Plant Using Reflectance Micro-FTIR Imaging. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 8, 145

Enders, K., Tagg, A. S. & Labrenz, M. (2020) Evaluation of Electrostatic Separation of Microplastics from Mineral-Rich Environmental Samples. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 8, 112

Brandt, J., Bittrich, L., Fischer, F., Kanaki, E., Tagg, A. S., Lenz, R., Labrenz, M., Brandes, E., Fischer, D., & Eichhorn, K. J. (2020). High-Throughput Analyses of Microplastic Samples Using Fourier Transform Infrared and Raman Spectrometry. Applied Spectroscopy, 74, 1185-1197

2019

Tagg, A. S., Oberbeckmann, S., Fischer, D., Kreikemeyer, B. & Labrenz, M. Paint particles are a distinct and variable substrate for marine bacteria. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 146, 117-124

Tagg, A.S.& Ivar do Sul, J.A. (2019) Is this Your Glitter? An overlooked but potentially environmentally-valuable microplastic. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 146, 50-53

Klaeger, F.*, Tagg, A.S.* Otto, S., Bienmüller, M., Sartorius, I. & Labrenz, M. (2019) Residual Monomer Content Affects the Interpretation of Plastic Degradation. Scientific Reports, 9, 2120

2018

Ivar do Sul, J.A., Tagg, A.S. & Labrenz, M. (2018). Exploring the common denominator between microplastics and microbiology: a scientometric approach. Scientometrics, 1-15

Tagg, A. S., Labrenz, M. (2018). Closing microplastic pathways before they open: A model approach. Environmental Science and Technology, 52, 3340–3341

Harrison, J. P., Hoellein, T. J., Sapp, M., & Tagg, A. S. Ju-Nam, Y. K., Ojeda, J.J.(2018). Freshwater Microplastics, 58, 181–201. 

2017

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) awarded in Nanotechnology from Swansea University - Assessing the Fate of Microplastics Derived from Industrial and Domestic Products in the Water Treatment Process

2016

Tagg, A. S., Harrison, J., Ju-Nam, Y. K., Sapp, M., Bradley, E. L., Sinclair, C. J., & Ojeda, J. J. (2016). Fenton’s reagent for the rapid and efficient isolation of microplastics from wastewater. Chemical Communications, 53, 372–375. 

2015

Tagg, A. S., Sapp, M., Harrison, J. P., & Ojeda, J. J. (2015). Identification and Quantification of Microplastics in Wastewater Using Focal Plane Array-Based Reflectance Micro-FT-IR Imaging. Analytical Chemistry, 87(12), 6032–6040.

2013

Bachelor of Science Honours (BSc Hons.) awarded in Zoology from Royal Holloway University of London

*Dual-First Authtors