Prof. Niemann studies the role of bacteria and other microorganisms in the breakdown of both methane and plastic. Marine systems play a key role in the cycling of potent greenhouse gases such as methane. On the other hand, the ocean is swamped with pollutants such plastics. Microbes may also play a major role in the balance of plastic in the oceans. His ERC CoG project VORTEX study the transformation of ‘unconventional’ carbon substrates such as methane, oil and plastics and their fate in aquatic (microbial) food web structures.