Plastic residues in agricultural food webs
Plastic residues can persist in soils for decades, fragmenting into micro- and nanoplastics with potential risks for soil health and productivity. We investigate their interactions with soil organisms to better understand their ecological impacts.
Plastics are widely used in agriculture, but their residues, especially from mulch films, can negatively impact soil health. Assessing the risks they pose is difficult, however, due to the challenges of measuring the particles and the wide variety of plastic materials in existence.
We develop reliable testing systems to study how plastics interact with soil organisms. We investigate how micro- and nanoplastics are taken up and processed by arthropod decomposers and predators. We also assess the ecological impacts of realistic plastic residues from biodegradable and non-biodegradable mulch films on soil organisms. Our findings can help identifying risks, guide the development of regulatory measures, and raise public awareness.
Since healthy soils are vital for a sustainable agricultural sector and food security, understanding the consequences of plastic pollution is key for protecting agricultural production and the environment.