Periodic Reporting for period 2 - PAPILLONS (Plastic in Agricultural Production: Impacts, Lifecycles and LONg-term Sustainability)
Reporting period: 2022-12-01 to 2024-05-31
Plastic is a crucial commodity in agriculture, widely used in crop protection systems such as nets, plastic films for mulching, tunnels, and greenhouses. It is also employed in irrigation, packaging, and as coatings for seeds, fertilizers, and plant protection products, among other applications. Agricultural plastics have been promoted as a way to boost agricultural production.
However, improper use and disposal of agricultural plastics can lead to pollution. Micro- and nanoplastics, tiny particles smaller than 5 mm, are a growing concern for soil health. These particles, often originating from the breakdown of larger plastic items, can accumulate in the soil. Initial research suggests that soils contaminated with micro- and nanoplastics may experience reduced fertility. Since soil is a non-renewable resource and plastic pollution in soil is nearly irreversible, there is an urgent need to understand the extent and risks posed by these pollutants to soil health and agricultural sustainability.
PAPILLONS (Plastic in Agricultural Production: Impacts, Lifecycles, and Long-term Sustainability), supported by the European Commission, is addressing critical knowledge gaps related to the sources, behavior, and long-term ecological and socioeconomic impacts of micro- and nanoplastics derived from agricultural plastics. The project aims to provide a scientific foundation for innovation in policy, agriculture, and industry, promoting environmentally sustainable farming practices.
However, improper use and disposal of agricultural plastics can lead to pollution. Micro- and nanoplastics, tiny particles smaller than 5 mm, are a growing concern for soil health. These particles, often originating from the breakdown of larger plastic items, can accumulate in the soil. Initial research suggests that soils contaminated with micro- and nanoplastics may experience reduced fertility. Since soil is a non-renewable resource and plastic pollution in soil is nearly irreversible, there is an urgent need to understand the extent and risks posed by these pollutants to soil health and agricultural sustainability.
PAPILLONS (Plastic in Agricultural Production: Impacts, Lifecycles, and Long-term Sustainability), supported by the European Commission, is addressing critical knowledge gaps related to the sources, behavior, and long-term ecological and socioeconomic impacts of micro- and nanoplastics derived from agricultural plastics. The project aims to provide a scientific foundation for innovation in policy, agriculture, and industry, promoting environmentally sustainable farming practices.
In the first three years, PAPILLONS made significant progress across various core research initiatives:
1. We developed and consolidated methods for analyzing micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in soils and soil organisms.
2. We established a comprehensive inventory of MNP reference materials for performance assessment and use in toxicological and behavior studies.
3. We nearly completed measuring the technical properties and chemical compositions of agricultural plastics (AP).
4. We compiled inventories and regional-scale maps of AP usage and waste generation for Southern European countries and Finland, with the inventory for Norway almost finished.
5. We initiated experimental activities monitoring MNPs in agricultural soils across 70 European locations and conducted experiments on MNP behavior in laboratory, mesocosm, and field settings. While most experimental activities are completed, some measurements, such as microplastic concentrations, are still ongoing due to their complexity.
We have completed nearly 80% of laboratory studies on the effects of micro- and nanoplastics on soil organisms, including earthworms and plants, focusing on both short- and long-term exposure to microplastics from conventional and biodegradable plastics. Large-scale field experiments in Spain, Germany, and Finland, launched in 2022, are nearly finished, with final sampling scheduled as planned.
The biological, chemical, and microplastic analyses from the European spatial survey of agricultural soils are also largely completed. However, the start of a mesocosm experiment on nanoplastics, using radioactive-labeled materials, has been postponed to the next reporting period due to production delays, though the necessary materials are now ready.
PAPILLONS adopts a multi-actor approach, maintaining an ongoing dialogue with farmers, agricultural plastic industries, waste managers, and non-governmental organizations. This collaborative effort allows for both the dissemination of scientific findings and the co-production of new knowledge. Through this, we developed inventories of AP use across Europe, with activities such as webinars, round tables, and surveys gathering perspectives on making agricultural plastics more sustainable.
1. We developed and consolidated methods for analyzing micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in soils and soil organisms.
2. We established a comprehensive inventory of MNP reference materials for performance assessment and use in toxicological and behavior studies.
3. We nearly completed measuring the technical properties and chemical compositions of agricultural plastics (AP).
4. We compiled inventories and regional-scale maps of AP usage and waste generation for Southern European countries and Finland, with the inventory for Norway almost finished.
5. We initiated experimental activities monitoring MNPs in agricultural soils across 70 European locations and conducted experiments on MNP behavior in laboratory, mesocosm, and field settings. While most experimental activities are completed, some measurements, such as microplastic concentrations, are still ongoing due to their complexity.
We have completed nearly 80% of laboratory studies on the effects of micro- and nanoplastics on soil organisms, including earthworms and plants, focusing on both short- and long-term exposure to microplastics from conventional and biodegradable plastics. Large-scale field experiments in Spain, Germany, and Finland, launched in 2022, are nearly finished, with final sampling scheduled as planned.
The biological, chemical, and microplastic analyses from the European spatial survey of agricultural soils are also largely completed. However, the start of a mesocosm experiment on nanoplastics, using radioactive-labeled materials, has been postponed to the next reporting period due to production delays, though the necessary materials are now ready.
PAPILLONS adopts a multi-actor approach, maintaining an ongoing dialogue with farmers, agricultural plastic industries, waste managers, and non-governmental organizations. This collaborative effort allows for both the dissemination of scientific findings and the co-production of new knowledge. Through this, we developed inventories of AP use across Europe, with activities such as webinars, round tables, and surveys gathering perspectives on making agricultural plastics more sustainable.
PAPILLONS has advanced the state of the art in several research areas:
1. We developed a method for compiling inventories of agricultural plastic use and waste generation.
2. We achieved a breakthrough by producing large batches of micro- and nanoplastic reference materials, accompanied by a complete reference material catalogue. These materials are physically and chemically characterized and are being used in PAPILLONS experiments and will be valuable for future research.
3. We produced the first batch of radioactively labeled micro- and nanoplastics, a unique product that will greatly facilitate studies on plastic behavior and accumulation in soils and food webs under controlled experimental conditions.
4. We provided groundbreaking data on the chemical composition of agricultural plastics and their effects on soil invertebrates and plants. This effort has already resulted in the publication of 18 academic papers, exceeding initial expectations.
Although some activities remain in progress, the project is on track to provide a comprehensive understanding of agricultural plastics as a source of MNP pollution in soils. We are expanding knowledge about the behavior, transport, and ecological effects of MNPs from agricultural plastics, including biodegradable varieties. Our ongoing collaboration with farmers, industries, and environmental organizations across Europe aims to develop the first socio-economic cost-benefit analysis of plasticulture, inspiring policies for soil protection and agricultural sustainability.
Our work has already made a decisive impact by contributing to the amendment of the emerging EU Soil Monitoring Law. We actively engaged with the EU Parliament, presenting scientific evidence to address the previously overlooked issue of MNP soil pollution.
PAPILLONS will continue to engage with stakeholders across Europe, providing insights into the economic, environmental, and social impacts of unsustainable agricultural practices. The project is poised to contribute to the EU Green Deal by supporting international initiatives, such as the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, efforts to combat plastic contamination, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. We also maintain dialogue with international organizations, such as the FAO, to align our work with global environmental sustainability efforts.
In the years to come, PAPILLONS will continue to drive the conversation and research forward, contributing to more sustainable agricultural practices and long-term soil protection policies.
1. We developed a method for compiling inventories of agricultural plastic use and waste generation.
2. We achieved a breakthrough by producing large batches of micro- and nanoplastic reference materials, accompanied by a complete reference material catalogue. These materials are physically and chemically characterized and are being used in PAPILLONS experiments and will be valuable for future research.
3. We produced the first batch of radioactively labeled micro- and nanoplastics, a unique product that will greatly facilitate studies on plastic behavior and accumulation in soils and food webs under controlled experimental conditions.
4. We provided groundbreaking data on the chemical composition of agricultural plastics and their effects on soil invertebrates and plants. This effort has already resulted in the publication of 18 academic papers, exceeding initial expectations.
Although some activities remain in progress, the project is on track to provide a comprehensive understanding of agricultural plastics as a source of MNP pollution in soils. We are expanding knowledge about the behavior, transport, and ecological effects of MNPs from agricultural plastics, including biodegradable varieties. Our ongoing collaboration with farmers, industries, and environmental organizations across Europe aims to develop the first socio-economic cost-benefit analysis of plasticulture, inspiring policies for soil protection and agricultural sustainability.
Our work has already made a decisive impact by contributing to the amendment of the emerging EU Soil Monitoring Law. We actively engaged with the EU Parliament, presenting scientific evidence to address the previously overlooked issue of MNP soil pollution.
PAPILLONS will continue to engage with stakeholders across Europe, providing insights into the economic, environmental, and social impacts of unsustainable agricultural practices. The project is poised to contribute to the EU Green Deal by supporting international initiatives, such as the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, efforts to combat plastic contamination, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. We also maintain dialogue with international organizations, such as the FAO, to align our work with global environmental sustainability efforts.
In the years to come, PAPILLONS will continue to drive the conversation and research forward, contributing to more sustainable agricultural practices and long-term soil protection policies.