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MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health

@minagriseu.bsky.social

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Horizon-funded project exploring the impacts of microplastics & nanoplastics on agricultural soil & soil organism health and the viability of alternatives to plastic in farming. #plastics #soilhealth #horizon2020 #farming #microplastics

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MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · Jan 27

MinagrisEU has joined Bluesky! Follow us to discover the science of micro/nano-plastics on #soilhealth. We'll be posting about our findings over the next two years, and exploring what viable alternatives there are to plastic in agricultural settings.

#plastics #farming #agriculture #soilscience

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MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · 1d

A review of available scientific data has revealed that far from plastic being an 'inert' material, the level of additives/chemicals in plastics is causing problems across the globe.

Read the journal article here: buff.ly/i3X6Wgi and a short summary article here: buff.ly/SV5maeX

MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · 3d

Last week MINAGRIS held its fourth General Meeting in Vienna. The main takeaways? Some great research is emerging on plastics and soil microbiome, plastics in real-world farming conditions, and what to do at the policy and practice level.

Here are the assembled troops of committed scientists 🔬🧪💪

Reposted by MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health

SPOTTERON @spotteron.net · 8d

At the 4th General Assembly of @minagriseu.bsky.social, the #SoilPlastic #CitizenScience App was also in focus: a mobile App for documenting plastic waste on agricultural fields: www.spotteron.net/apps/horizon...

#HorizonEurope #Soil #Microplastics #Nanoplastics #Agriculture

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MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · 8d

The FAO has published a major new report on the state of agricultural soils. #Microplastics can change the properties of soil and get into plants via root systems, say the authors.

#soilscience

Read our summary with links to the full report: buff.ly/GWdfvsl

MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · 10d

In our new blog, we explore what happened at the talks, why plastic pollution is contributing to transgressing planetary boundaries, and the five things a coalition of the willing (that's you, too!) can do to create a critical mass for change. buff.ly/czdIbbf

#microplastics #globalplasticstreaty

What do we do now after Global Plastics Treaty talks failed to reach an agreement? | Minagris

By Ildiko Heim and Deborah Talbot

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MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · 15d

Do you want to help us by doing some citizen science?

We launched the SoilPlastic app to help us track plastic sightings in soils, and we hope to tell a story about the extent of plastic waste in our soils.

Download the app now - buff.ly/0OZT8Zu - and make a difference. See how it works 👇

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MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · 17d

In case you missed it, here's our fifth MINAGRIS briefing, covering the potential for global plastics policy development, an interview with Giulia Carcasci from the FAO, and everything we've been up to 2024-5.

Find it here: buff.ly/gCXu1Ll

#microplastics #soilscience #horizoneurope

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MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · 22d

Investigating the impact of microplastics in combination with common farm chemicals is a lot of work. Here are Esperanza Huerta Lwanga and Nicolas Beriot are doing field work in the Netherlands. Let’s give them a massive thanks for all the work they do!

#soilscience

MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · 24d

Industrial societies have produced over 100 million novel entities, with anywhere between 35,000 and 400,000 currently in use (Guardian). Their prevalence has exceeded planetary boundaries into the risk zone.

Read the full report from Deep Science Ventures: buff.ly/28hCxgc

MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · 28d

It's right at the bottom, on the factsheet page.

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MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · 29d

A new study has shown that humans can inhale as much as 68,000 microplastic particles daily. Smaller particles can find their way into many parts of our bodies, affecting our health, the soil and ecosystems.

Read the article below 👇

Humans inhale as much as 68,000 microplastic particles daily, study finds

Particles are small enough to burrow into lungs, says report, with health impacts ‘more substantial than we realize’

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MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · Sep 9

What happens to a soil organism, Springtails, when different types of #microplastics are combined with common farm chemicals? The results show that biodegradable plastics are not as harmless as they seem.

Read our factsheet here: buff.ly/RitNwAt

#soilscience

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MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · Sep 3

Biodegradable plastic film (PBAT) is often posed as an alternative to conventional plastics for agricultural use. But how does it affect soil and plant growth?

Here's what research supported by MINAGRIS found: buff.ly/tFBSKY5

#soilscience

MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · Aug 27

What are the effects of #plastics, and the chemicals it contains, on human and planetary health? The Lancet is planning to track this through their Countdown on Health and Plastics.

Read more about this important initiative here: buff.ly/zaOHmYS

MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · Aug 20

The latest failure of the #GlobalPlasticsTreaty is disappointing but not unexpected - the latest example of the collapse of the multilateral order, the political polarisation of sustainability agendas and the consequent spread of misinformation.

What can we do? See below 👇

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MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · Aug 13

This sweeping French scientific review shows how microplastics are affecting agricultural soils and argues for a shift of thinking away from recycling towards prevention and the development of viable alternatives.

Read the summary and full report here: buff.ly/flwJFDp

Stats on plastic use in agriculture in France - agriculture accounts for 20% of which 91% of that is food wrapping.

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MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · Aug 6

The #microplastic journey...through water, soil, what we eat, in our bodies, and more 🍎🥕🥬.

This article from The Guardian tells the story of how #plastic moves through ecosystems from a simple act like washing an acrylic jumper. Read more here:

The life of microplastic: how fragments move through plants, insects, animals – and you

Microplastics have been found in the placentas of unborn babies, the depths of the Mariana Trench, the summit of Everest and the organs of Antarctic penguins. But how do they travel through the…

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MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · Aug 1

❓ How do #microplastics affect soil invertebrates - earthworms, woodlice, spiders, springtails, mites, and some insects 🪱🐛🕷️

Research shows it makes them sick, gives them inflammation, gut damage, affects their immune system and more.

Read more here:

How Soil Invertebrates Deal With Microplastic Contamination

Small animals living in soils, called soil invertebrates, represent a very diverse group of soil inhabitants. They include earthworms, woodlice, spiders, springtails, mites, and some insects. Soil…

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MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · Jul 25

We assume that #biodegradable #plastics are better for the soil, but are they? This article reveals negative impacts on soil nitrogen levels. MINAGRIS is considering the benefits against risks, and also factor in action at every stage of the lifecycle of plastics.

#soilscience

Biodegradable microplastics may actually be worse for soil and plants

Biodegradable plastic that gets broken down into microplastics may decrease soil nitrogen levels more than conventional ones, which stunts plant growth

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MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · Jul 25

Our latest biannual briefing is out, including interviews and articles with policymakers and thinkers about how to create sustainable #plastics policies and regulations in this era of polarisation.

Download here 👉 buff.ly/qfASiJ5

#soilscience

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MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · Jul 17

Some bioplastics labelled as compostable are causing headaches at compost facilities globally 🌍 In this article on the US, poor regulation of terms like 'compostable' mean unwanted #microplastics are finding their way into compost.

Stop Putting Forks in Your Compost

Even products certified as "compostable" are causing headaches.

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MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · Jul 15

What do testicles, clouds, beer and arctic ice all have in common? These are all places you might find #microplastics. Check out this handy explainer on what they are, where they're found, and even how they interact with our #climate here: buff.ly/MJP9cxl

MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · Jul 11

We love to share breakthroughs from other teams. This research has found a new way of isolating plastisphere-soil (bug communities living off plastic waste), which could be a foundation for finding which ones can eat plastic 🦠.

Read the full article: buff.ly/LcIBsEU

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MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · Jul 7

MINAGRIS were hard at work at the regenerative agriculture festival #Groundswell25 last week sharing valuable information about the impact of #microplastics in agricultural soils - and particularly about our farmer's guidance on soil water repellency.

#soilscience

MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health @minagriseu.bsky.social · Jul 4

MINAGRIS partner Dr Charlotte Chivers recently visited the Cartagena region of Spain, an area characterised by arid conditions, water scarcity and increasing desertification.

She talks about why the widespread use of #plastics in #agriculture might be a problem.

#soilscience