Production and characterisation of environmentally relevant microplastic test materials derived from agricultural plastics

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 946, P. 174325 - 174325

Published: June 26, 2024

Soil environments across the globe, particularly in agricultural settings, have now been shown to be contaminated with microplastics. Agricultural plastics - such as mulching films are used close or direct contact soils and there is growing evidence demonstrating that they represent a potential source of There demand undertake fate effects studies understand behaviour long-term ecological risks this contamination. Yet, lack test materials available for purpose. This study describes manufacture characterisation five large (1-40 kg) batches microplastic derived from films. Batches were produced either polyethylene-based conventional starch-polybutadiene adipate terephthalate blend certified biodegradable soil. Challenges encountered overcome during micronisation process provide valuable insights into future material generation these types. includes difficulties micronising virgin polyethylene film materials. All subjected thorough physical chemical both original subsequent particles generated including screening presence additives. critical step essential information interpreting particle scientific testing. Trade-offs between obtaining preferred typologies time cost constraints elucidated. Several recommendations emerging experiences gained put forward advance research field towards greater harmonisation utilisation environmentally relevant

Language: Английский

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Multigenerational toxicity of microplastics derived from two types of agricultural mulching films to Folsomia candida

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 949, P. 175097 - 175097

Published: July 27, 2024

Degradation and fragmentation of mulching films represents an increasing source microplastics (MPs, plastic particles 1 μm to 5 mm in size) agricultural soils. MPs have been shown affect many soil invertebrates, including springtails. However, these studies typically use test materials representing less environmentally relevant particle types, such as pristine uniform MPs, which do not represent the large range sizes morphologies found field. This study aimed at providing insight into adverse effects originating from films, by using artificially aged derived both biodegradable (starch-polybutadiene adipate terephthalate (PBAT)) blend, well conventional (linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)) polymers. The dwelling springtail Folsomia candida was exposed for five generations order elucidate population due possible reproduction toxicity, endocrine disruption, mutagenesis or developmental toxicity. F. were 0, 0.0016, 0.008, 0.04, 0.2, 1, 2, 3, 4 % (w/w dry soil) Lufa 2.2 soil, includes concentrations within environmental relevance. Juveniles produced each concentration transferred next generation, with parental, F2 F4 being four weeks F1 F3 weeks. No concentration-dependent on survival observed exposures either any generations. These results suggest that particular used this study, soils, may be potent toxicants candida, even after long-term exposure elevated concentrations.

Language: Английский

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Reproduction, growth and oxidative stress in earthworm Eisenia andrei exposed to conventional and biodegradable mulching film microplastics

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 948, P. 174667 - 174667

Published: July 10, 2024

Language: Английский

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Response of terrestrial crustacean Porcellio scaber and mealworm Tenebrio molitor to non-degradable and biodegradable fossil-based mulching film microplastics

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 951, P. 175379 - 175379

Published: Aug. 11, 2024

Agricultural mulching films are potential sources of microplastics (MPs) in soil. As an alternative to conventional non-degradable films, a variety different biodegradable used. However, it is not yet known whether MPs from pose lower risk terrestrial invertebrates compared films. In this study, the effects produced two polyethylene (PE-1 and PE-2) (starch-based poly(butylene adipate co-terephthalate); PBAT-BD-1, PBAT-BD-2) fossil-based on crustacean woodlice Porcellio scaber mealworm Tenebrio molitor were compared. A key finding was that no clear differences induced responses between detected. No adverse P. after weeks T. four exposure observed up 5 % (w/w dry soil) either MP type. some sublethal physiological changes metabolic rate immune parameters found indicating response organisms presence addition, demonstrated both types might affect soil water holding capacity pH. conclusion, we confirmed can induce hence further studies testing environmental hazard justified.

Language: Английский

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Novel strategies for the determination of plastic additives derived from agricultural plastics in soil using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS)

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 946, P. 174492 - 174492

Published: July 3, 2024

Certain agricultural plastics, i.e., mulching films, are generally considered as potent sources of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs), due to their direct application on soil waste mishandling. During the synthesis fabrication such it is necessary use chemicals, so-called plastic additives (PAs), improving physicochemical properties final polymeric product. However, since PAs loosely bound polymer matrix, they can potentially leach into environment with unidentified effects. Clearly, monitor fate in terrestrial ecosystem, develop accurate, sensitive robust analytical methods. To this end, a comprehensive strategy was developed for monitoring 16 diverse (partition coefficient; −3 < logP<19) samples using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). For purpose, two different extraction procedures were developed, namely, single step ultrasound-assisted (UAE) ethyl acetate or an aqueous solution methanol binary extraction, combining Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged Safe (QuEChERS) UAE principles n-hexane extractant. Interestingly, within sample preparation investigation, we identified in-lab contamination PAs, e.g., centrifuge tubes microfilters. Such consumables made contaminating procedural blanks omitting acquire satisfactory performance. In detail, method validation performed compounds achieving recoveries mainly range 70–120 %, repeatability (expressed relative standard deviation, RSD %) 20 % limits quantification (LOQs) ranging between 0.2 ng/g dry weight (dw). Importantly, presented strategies added very limited available PA determination soil, topical issue significant rather understudied impact agriculture.

Language: Английский

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Microplastics originated from agricultural mulching films affect enchytraeid multigeneration reproduction and soil properties

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 479, P. 135592 - 135592

Published: Aug. 22, 2024

Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly entering agricultural soils, often from the breakdown of plastics (e.g., mulching films). This study investigates effects realistic MPs different films: two conventional polyethylene (PE-1 and PE-2) biodegradable (starch-blended polybutylene adipate co-terephthalate; PBAT-BD-1 PBAT-BD-2). were mixed into Lufa 2.2 soil at a concentration range 0.005 % to 5 (w/w dry soil), wide enough reflect both environmental levels "worst-case scenarios". Effects on Enchytraeus crypticus reproduction over generations six important properties studied. PBAT notably reduced enchytraeid in F0 generation, with maximum decrease 35.5 ± 9.6 0.5 concentration. F1 generation was unaffected by contamination. PE had more substantial reproductive impact, up 55.3 9.7 PE-1 compared control, showing dose-related effect except for 1 %. Both MP types also significantly affected water holding capacity, pH, total carbon. Other remained unaffected. Our results highlight potential negative impacts originating real health raise concerns about role sustainable agriculture food safety.

Language: Английский

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Comparing the effects of pristine and UV–VIS aged microplastics: Behavioural response of model terrestrial and freshwater crustaceans

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 285, P. 117020 - 117020

Published: Sept. 13, 2024

Language: Английский

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A Multidisciplinary Perspective on the Role of Plastic Pollution in the Triple Planetary Crisis

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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Survival and reproduction effects of microplastics from three agricultural mulching films on Folsomia candida, Sinella curviseta, Heteromurus nitidus and Ceratophysella denticulata (Collembola)

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 958, P. 178137 - 178137

Published: Dec. 18, 2024

Language: Английский

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Effects of Microplastics on Enchytraeid Multigeneration Reproduction and Soil Physicochemical Properties

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly entering agricultural soils, often from the plastic breakdown in agriculture (e.g., mulching films) or through biosolid application, raising concerns about soil health, sustainability, and food safety. This study investigates effects of MPs various types: two conventional polyethylene (PE-1 PE-2) biodegradable (starch-blended polybutylene adipate co-terephthalate; PBAT-BD-1 PBAT-BD-2). were mixed into Lufa 2.2 at concentrations ranging 0.005% to 5% (w/w dry soil). Effects on Enchytraeus crypticus reproduction over generations properties (pH water holding capacity) studied these spiked soils a control. PBAT notably reduced enchytraeid F0 generation, with maximum decrease 35.5 ± 9.6% 0.5% concentration. F1 generation was unaffected by contamination. PE had more substantial reproductive impact, up 55.3 9.7% PE-1 concentration compared control, showing dose-related effect except for 1%. Both MP types also significantly affected capacity pH. highlights potential negative impacts plastics their role sustainable agriculture.

Language: Английский

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