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H2020Doctoral network2021–2024

SOPLAS · Macro and Microplastic in Agricultural Soil Systems

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2021-01-01 → 2024-12-31
EU contribution
€3,719,361
Participants
11
Scheme
MSCA-ITN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Macro and Microplastic in Agricultural Soil Systems

Macro- and microplastic in agricultural soil systems (SOPLAS) Plastics have become a key component of modern agriculture, both directly, through their use in production systems, such as greenhouse cover films and silage bags, and indirectly, such as through the application of sewage sludge or compost. However, we know almost nothing about the fate of this plastic and its impact on soil functions. The SOPLAS ETN addresses this critical knowledge gap, while delivering significant advances in understanding the plastic cycle within soil and supporting the development of environmental policies, agricultural practices and industrial opportunities related to mitigating the impact of plastics on the environment. More specifically, SOPLAS does (i) adapt and optimise existing tools to detect and quantify macro- and microplastic input into agricultural soils; (ii) improve understanding of the degradation mechanisms of conventional and biodegradable plastic, as basis of optimizing used plastic materials and identifying remediation pathways; (iii) determine the impact of microplastic on soil functions and soil health; (iv) identify pathways for microplastic export from agricultural soils to freshwater ecosystems; and (v) analysis farmers’ and consumers’ willingness to reduce the input of plastic material into agricultural soils. To address these project aims and train a new generation of leading experts understanding the nexus of plastic-agriculture-soil, SOPLAS brings together a truly multidisciplinary team of academic and industry experts, comprising economists, agronomists, hydrologists, soil scientists, microbiologists and chemists, using the most advanced state-of-the-art approaches in their respective fields. The training network will facilitate a dialogue between researchers, industry and practitioners with as ultimate goal to advance the sustainable use of plastics in European agriculture.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Plastics have become a key component of modern agriculture, both directly, through their use in production systems, such as greenhouse cover films and silage bags, and indirectly, such as through the application of sewage sludge or compost. However, we know almost nothing about the fate of this plastic and its impact on soil functions. The SOPLAS ETN will address this critical knowledge gap, while delivering significant advances in understanding the plastic cycle within soil and supporting the development of environmental policies, agricultural practices and industrial opportunities related to mitigating the impact of plastics on the environment. More specifically, SOPLAS will: (i) adapt and optimise existing tools to detect and quantify macro- and microplastic input into agricultural soils; (ii) improve understanding of the degradation mechanisms of conventional and biodegradable plastic, as basis of optimizing used plastic materials and identifying remediation pathways; (iii) determine the impact of microplastic on soil functions and soil health; (iv) identify pathways for microplastic export from agricultural soils to freshwater ecosystems; and (v) analysis farmers’ and consumers’ willingness to reduce the input of plastic material into agricultural soils. To address these project aims and train a new generation of leading experts understanding the nexus of plastic-agriculture-soil, SOPLAS will bring together a truly multidisciplinary team of academic and industry experts, comprising economists, agronomists, hydrologists, soil scientists, microbiologists and chemists, using the most advanced state-of-the-art approaches in their respective fields. The training network will facilitate a dialogue between researchers, industry and practitioners with as ultimate goal to advance the sustainable use of plastics in European agriculture.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • UNIVERSITAET AUGSBURG · AugsburgCoordinatorGermany
  • AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS · MadridSpain
  • CESKE VYSOKE UCENI TECHNICKE V PRAZE · PRAHACzechia
  • EIDGENOESSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZUERICH · ZuerichSwitzerland
  • RHEINISCHE FRIEDRICH-WILHELMS-UNIVERSITAT BONN · BonnGermany
  • UNIVERSIDAD DE VIGO · VIGO PONTEVEDRASpain
  • UNIVERSITAET FUER BODENKULTUR WIEN · WienAustria
  • UNIVERSITY OF DURHAM · DURHAMUnited Kingdom
  • UNIVERSITY OF LANCASTER · LANCASTERUnited Kingdom
  • WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY · WageningenNetherlands
  • WESSLING GMBH · ALTENBERGGermany

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union