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Quantification of the participation of soils in the microplastic pollution cycle and evidence based model analysis of atmosphere to ocean soil microplastic interaction

Description du projet

La pollution plastique des sols: une question à creuser

Que se passe-t-il lorsque les micro et nanoplastiques (MNP) se retrouvent dans nos sols? Sont-ils transportés par le ruissellement ou s’enfoncent-ils plus profondément dans le sol? Quel est l’effet des produits chimiques lessivés des MNP sur le microbiome du sol, l’air et les écosystèmes des rivières récepteurs? Un grand nombre de ces produits chimiques (tels que les retardateurs de flamme) ne se décomposent jamais mais continuent leur cycle dans la chaîne alimentaire. Quel est le seuil avant que des dommages irréversibles ne se produisent, et l’avons-nous dépassé? Le projet PlastiSol, financé par l’UE, répondra à ces questions. Il étudiera un échantillon représentatif des MNP de différents sols d’utilisation des terres et des lixiviats associés, ainsi que les processus qui contiennent ou transportent ces polluants. Les travaux du projet feront progresser la science de la pollution par les MNP au-delà de la considération du sol comme un puits.

Objectif

There is little doubt that micro and nanoplastics (MnP) are in our soils across the globe. Numerous studies including my own have found that atmospheric deposition alone is enough to pollute even our most pristine remote areas. What is unknown is what happens to it once it is there. Is it transported by runoff or pushed deeper into the soil? What is the effect of the chemicals leached from MnP on soil microbiome, air and receiving river ecosystems? Many of these (e.g. flame retardants) are ‘forever chemicals’, never break down but continue to cycle in the food chain. What is the threshold before irreversible damage occurs, and have we pass it? These knowledge gaps have far reaching implications for food and water security and survival of the fragile ecosystems that make our planet habitable. PlastiSol seeks to address these urgent questions in an attempt to push the boundaries of our knowledge on this emerging threat. Through studying a cross section of land use soils MnP and associated leachates and the processes that contain or transport these pollutants, this project will advance MnP pollution science beyond considering soil as a sink, evidencing atmospheric and receiving waterway impacts of soil pollution. Furthermore, examining the internal mechanisms of soil MnP movement and leachate release will define the potential groundwater influence, land management activities and storage capacities of different land use soils’ MnP. With this evidenced process knowledge, the impact of soil MnP on the global MnP cycle will be established, enabling soil to be included as a source, transport pathway and sink of plastic pollution, advancing the accuracy of global MnP quantification and the impact of soil MnP on ecosystems and all environmental compartments. Only in understanding the extent and impact of soil plastic pollution can it be effectively managed through change in land use practices and policy advancements.

Coordinateur

THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
Contribution nette de l'UE
€ 290 084,16
Adresse
Edgbaston
B15 2TT Birmingham
Royaume-Uni

Voir sur la carte

Région
West Midlands (England) West Midlands Birmingham
Type d’activité
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Liens
Coût total
€ 290 084,16

Partenaires (1)