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SpanishJoint MINAGRIS-Papillons stakeholder forum event
On 28th March 2022, we held a joint stakeholder forum workshop with high-level stakeholders.
Both MINAGRIS and Papillons are aiming to establish an inventory of the uses of agricultural plastics (AP) in Europe, explore the effects of AP on soil quality (soil biota, soil structure), and study fate, fragmentation, microbial colonisation and decay of AP in soil. They will both conduct a sustainability performance assessment of AP use in comparison to alternative techniques, as well as carry out large scale dissemination of results and involvement of end-users. The stakeholder forum with Papillons was formed due to our similar aims. This forum allows both projects to engage with our key stakeholders in an effective way, thus maximising engagement and ensuring we reach a wide diversity of audiences.
During the event, speakers shared initial findings from both projects and began discussions with participants, with a focus on the advice and information available surrounding agricultural plastic use.
MINAGRIS case study sampling has begun!
Soil sampling for plastic analysis has now begun across our 11 Europe-wide case study sites. This stage of the project took a good deal of planning to ensure that we have minimised the risk of our samples being contaminated with plastic particles shed from our equipment. For example, our microplastic samples are being collected in alternatives to the usual plastic sampling pots; instead, we are collecting them in paper bags, often lined with foil.
We are sampling for macro-, micro- and nano-plastics in fields across our sites. These samples are then being carefully packaged to avoid plastic contamination before being sent to different labs for specialist analysis of their soil type, plastic content and microbiomes.
For further information on our sampling protocol, please don’t hesitate to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We hope to have sampling completed by October, when we will begin our analysis. In the meantime, enjoy our stream of photos from our sampling campaign!
Launching the MINAGRIS multi-scale experiment protocol
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The MINAGRIS consortia is pleased to present a detailed plan of the experiments that will be undertaken as part of the project, at experimental scales of increasing complexity (from microcosms to field). These experiments will help us to determine the potential effects of microplastics on the soil biota, either alone or in combination with other common organic pollutants of agricultural soils, on the soil biota (across trophic levels in the soil food web), identify the underlying mechanisms driving these effects and examine its reciprocal consequences on agricultural productivity. This experimental plan could be used as a guide and benchmark for future assessment of the potential effects of novel plastic products on the soil biota under a revised regulatory framework.
MINAGRIS at the World Congress of Soil Science
We were very pleased to share an overview of the MINAGRIS project at the recent World Congress of Soil Science, with an audience of around 300. The presentation was given by Dr Charlotte Chivers, who is part of our dissemination and exploitation team. Download the slides here.
