MiCoS

Microplastic contamination in agricultural soil ecosystems and the effect on soil and plant health Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm in size. Despite their small size, there is growing concern because MPs can cause significant damage to ecosystems. With this in mind, the EU-funded MiCoS project will investigate the mechanisms behind how MP pollution affects soil and plant ecosystems. Specifically, pollution in soil will be assessed by correlating MP concentrations with soil health indicators. These correlations will be validated and tested in greenhouse experiments to understand the biological underpinnings that drive them. The project will also actively search for biodegrading organisms to reduce the risk of MPs in soil ecosystems. First, the risk of MP pollution in soil will be assessed by correlating MP concentrations of 240 soils with soil health indicators. To measure the MP concentration, a fast, cost-effective and standardized method to detect, identify and quantify MPs (≥ 1 µm) in soils will be developed. Second, these correlations between MPs and the soil health indicators will be validated and tested in greenhouse experiments, to understand the biological underpinnings that drive these correlations. MP induced changes in plant growth, plant disease susceptibility, soil texture, soil chemical composition and the microbial community will be studied. Third, to reduce the risk (introduction and accumulation) of MPs in soil ecosystems, we will actively search for biodegrading organisms making use of a novel sequencing approach. With this multidisciplinary approach, we will be able to mechanistically define the effects of MPs on soil and plant health and advance the field by identifying plastic-biodegrading microorganisms.