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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.
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.
MINAGRIS, over the next 5 years, will explore the impacts of plastic debris on agricultural soil health. This blog explains what plastics are, the extent to which they are used in agriculture across Europe, and the potential environmental health threats posed by plastic debris in soil.
Photo credits: Plastics Europe, Wageningen Food & Biobased research, Tuinadvies, Kalliergeia, Future Farming, Teal Agrotechnologies
What are plastics?
Plastics consist of one or more polymer types. Polymers are chains of molecules, usually containing carbon. These polymers can be fossil-based or biobased. Fossil-based plastics are typically made from petroleum, whilst biobased plastics are made entirely, or partially, from renewable plant-based products including vegetable oils, corn starch, and even sawdust. You can learn more about biobased plastics via the European bioplastics website and this booklet.
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| Picture source: European bioplastics |
Plastic mulches are used to control weeds, for temperature control, and to prevent moisture loss (picture credit: MINAGRIS project) |
A new publication in Agricultural Systems, including several authors from the MINAGRIS team, has found that there is high contamination of microplastics, and there are different sources and concentrations which vary according to the type of land- management. It is, therefore, important to understand the different processes which take place in microplastics dispersion in the agricultural systems.
The impacts of plastic debris on soil health are largely unknown despite equal, or possibly greater, amounts of plastics entering soils as are reaching our rivers, seas, and oceans1. MINAGRIS, an EU-funded project which launches today, will explore how plastic debris is affecting soil biodiversity, soil functions, related ecosystem services, and agricultural productivity.
