One of the main goals of the Papillons project is to conduct a spatial survey in seven European countries to explore the role of agricultural plastics (AP) as a source of microplastics (MP) to farmed soils, in comparison to inputs from biosolid or selected compost products application or atmospheric deposition. This European Spatial Survey increases the understanding how local or regional agricultural practices influence levels of MNPs and biodiversity. This work generates data on MP occurrence and distribution in European agricultural soils and will provide baselines for national and European level assessments of soil ecosystem quality and protection acts.
Artificial ageing tests were conducted in the lab to mimic long-term exposure of agricultural plastics to sunlight. Both conventional and biodegradable plastic films were selected and subjected to controlled UV radiation and heat. Initial tests focused on two mulching films, using mechanical and chemical analysis to track degradation. A second phase examined a wider range of commonly used agricultural plastics. The progression of material breakdown was monitored, and the aged mulching films were later used for field evaluation.
The field plot experiment was carried out in three different countries that represent different vegetation and climate zones in Europe: Finland, Germany and Spain. The aim of the experiment was to give a comprehensive picture of the effects and fate of microplastics (MP) and plastic additives (PA) in real, varying environmental conditions across Europe.
One of the main goals of the Papillons project is to conduct a spatial survey in seven European countries to explore the role of agricultural plastics (AP) as a source of microplastics (MP) to farmed soils, in comparison to inputs from biosolid or selected compost products application or atmospheric deposition. This European Spatial Survey increases the understanding how local or regional agricultural practices influence levels of MNPs and biodiversity. This work generates data on MP occurrence and distribution in European agricultural soils and will provide baselines for national and European level assessments of soil ecosystem quality and protection acts.
The Studies carried out in the laboratory have the objective to elucidate the effects of MNPs on physicochemical soil properties. The activities focused on properties crucial for soil fertility and biota such as measuring soil pH, aggregation, and water retention characteristics. Effects of one and/or two types of MNPs on water retention characteristics and aggregation were studied in controlled laboratory experiments using different types of agricultural soils, including the LUFA 2.2 soil and the soils from the Papillons field plot experiments. These measurements were done in 3-4 laboratories (REC, SYKE, UL, VU) using the same methodology.
PAPILLONS designed single-species testing approach using an array of organisms from different taxonomic groups focusing in particular on multi-generation testing. Different methodological approaches were employed and several testing challenges were successfully optimised.
PAPILLONS aims at understanding how micro- and nanoplastics affect plant growth in different European environments. MS14 studies how LLDPE and PBAT-BD-MPs affect seed germination, plant growth and development in single-species tests with monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants, and under environmentally relevant conditions, using a mesocosm setup and a field-scale experiment in Finland, Spain and Germany.
MS16. Completed chemical analysis from field plot experiments on plant growth
The PAPILLONS experiment assesses how microplastics from conventional and biodegradable plastics affect barley growth, soil interactions, and plastic additive transfer in different European climates.
On the 28th of March 2022, a first joint stakeholder forum meeting was organized between the MINAGRIS and PAPILLONS research projects.
Both projects are funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Program for research & innovation with the aim to deepen our knowledge and understanding on the impact of plastic debris in agricultural soils.
On the 10th of October, the PAPILLONS H2020 research project met in Athens for its first in-person Consortium meeting to review their pioneering research on soil micro & nano plastics (MNP).
Rachel Hurley and Prof. Dr Christian Laforsch presented preliminary results of the on going research programme which will be further developed in future communications.
Various stakeholders contributed to shape the discussion: Airi Kulmala from MTK (Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners), Xavier Ferry from Plasticulture, Hasso Von Pogrell (Managing Director of European Bioplastics).
The PAPILLONS consortium was proud to host its final stakeholder forum, marking the closing chapter of four years of collaborative research on the sources, behaviour and ecological effects of micro and nanoplastics in European agricultural soils. The event brought together more than 150 policymakers, researchers, industry, and international organisations, among which MEPs Alessandra Moretti and Annalisa Corrado, leading researchers, DG Environment officials, and colleagues from FAO, and our sister-project MINAGRIS.
Practice abstracts:
1. Plasticulture – what is the link between plastics and agriculture?
2. Moving forward in research for micro- and nanoplastic reference materials
6. Micro and nanoplastics have negative effects on plants: a systematic review
8. Agricultural Plastics, a Multi Actor Analysis
9. Examining the effects of PBAT biodegradable microplastics on plant growth and defense mechanisms
12. Degradation Rates of Agricultural Plastics
13. Estimating and mapping of Agricultural Plastic Waste (APW) in Europe: PAPILLONS project’s ATLAS
14. Agricultural Plastic (AP) use – Insights from three European countries
15. Microplastics alter the nitrogen cycle in soil affecting nutrient availability to crops
17. Effects of micro- and nanoplastics on plants – Field plot study
