1. High doses of polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride microplastics affect the microbial community and nutrient status of vineyard soilsErika Jež, Elisa Pellegrini, Melita Sternad Lemut, Maria De Nobili, Marco Contin, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Abstract
The escalating use of plastic materials in viticulture causes release of microplastics (MPs) into vineyard soils. This study examines the impact on soil health of polypropylene (PP) raffia and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tube strings, commonly mulched into the topsoil after use. A 120-d incubation experiment was conducted with soils exposed to high doses (10 g/kg) of microplastics (MPs) from standard, new and used strings. The study investigated alterations in the microbial community, bioavailability of macronutrients (NH4+ and NO3−, P, K, Ca, Mg), and bioavailability of micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mg). The presence of MPs significantly stressed the soil microbial community, reducing microbial biomass by 30% after 30 d, with the exception of PVC in acid soil, which caused an unexpected increase of about 60%. The metabolic quotient (qCO2) doubled in MP-polluted soils, with PVC exerting a more pronounced effect than PP. Basal respiration increased by 25% relative to the acid control soil. PVC MPs raised soil pH from 6.2 to 7.2 and firmly reduced the bioavailability of micronutrients, particularly in acidic soils, and led to a 98% reduction in nitrate (NO3−). The availability of NH4+, P, K, Mg decreased by 10% and Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn by 30%. However, Ca availability increased by 30%, despite shifting from the acid-soluble fraction to soil organic matter and crystalline minerals. Calcareous soil was generally more resilient to changes than the acid soil. These findings underscore the urgent need to investigate the long-term effects of MPs from viticulture on soil properties and health. Keywords: microplastics, soil, nutrient bioavailability, microbial community, viticulture Published in RUNG: 22.11.2024; Views: 181; Downloads: 4 Full text (3,08 MB) This document has many files! More... |
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5. Physiological responses of garden cress (L. sativum) to different types of microplasticsSara Pignattelli, Andrea Broccoli, Monia Renzi, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: In this study, for the first time, acute and chronic toxicity caused by four different kinds of microplastics: polypropylene
(PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), and a commercial mixture (PE + PVC) on Lepidium sativum were evaluated. Parameters considered were: i) biometric parameters (e.g. percentage inhibition of seed germination, plant height, leaf number and fresh biomass productions); and ii) oxidative stress (e.g. levels of hydrogen peroxide, glutathione, and ascorbic acid). On plants exposed to chronic stress chlorophylls, carotenoids, aminolaevulinic acid, and proline productions were, also, evaluated. PVC resulted the most toxic than other plastic materials tested. This study represents the first paper highlighting microplastics are able to produce oxidative burst in tested plants and could represent an important starting point for future researches on biochemical effects of microplastic in terrestrial environments such as agroecosystems. Keywords: Polypropylene
Polyethylene
Polyvinylchloride
Plastic packaging
Microplastics
Plant exposure Published in RUNG: 24.04.2020; Views: 3680; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |
6. Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Plastic Pellets and Plastic Type AnalysisMaryline Pflieger, Petra Makorič, Manca Kovač Viršek, Špela Koren, 2017, review article Abstract: Plastic resin pellets, categorized as microplastics (≤5 mm in diameter), are small granules that can be unintentionally released to the
environment during manufacturing and transport. Because of their environmental persistence, they are widely distributed in the oceans and
on beaches all over the world. They can act as a vector of potentially toxic organic compounds (e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls) and might
consequently negatively affect marine organisms. Their possible impacts along the food chain are not yet well understood. In order to assess the
hazards associated with the occurrence of plastic pellets in the marine environment, it is necessary to develop methodologies that allow for rapid
determination of associated organic contaminant levels. The present protocol describes the different steps required for sampling resin pellets,
analyzing adsorbed organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and identifying the plastic type. The focus is on the extraction of OCPs from plastic pellets
by means of a pressurized fluid extractor (PFE) and on the polymer chemical analysis applying Fourier Transform-InfraRed (FT-IR) spectroscopy.
The developed methodology focuses on 11 OCPs and related compounds, including dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its two main
metabolites, lindane and two production isomers, as well as the two biologically active isomers of technical endosulfan. This protocol constitutes
a simple and rapid alternative to existing methodology for evaluating the concentration of organic contaminants adsorbed on plastic pieces. Keywords: Environmental Sciences, Issue 125, Microplastics, resin pellets, pesticides, persistent organic pollutants, organochlorine pesticides, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, endosulfan, hexachlorocyclohexane, lindane, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, pressurized fluid extractor Published in RUNG: 10.07.2017; Views: 5449; Downloads: 0 |
7. Analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls adsorbed on plastic pellets: Comparison of extraction techniquesPetra Makorič, 2017, master's thesis Abstract: Plastic resin pellets are one of the main components of plastic fragments in the marine environment. They are small granules, generally cylinder or disk-shaped, with a diameter of a few millimetres used as industrial raw material for the production of plastic manufactured items. Resin pellets can be unintentionally released to the environment during manufacturing and transport, and can reach the ocean through processes such as surface run-off. Because of their environmental persistence, they are widely distributed in the oceans and on the beaches, all over the globe. Plastic pellets are also a sink of toxic compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that are present in the environment.
During this thesis, we designed a protocol for extracting and analysing PCBs from marine plastic resin pellets. Although pressurized fluid extraction (PFE) is not commonly used in the field of microplastics, it is a reliable and efficient technique applied in other research areas. Thus, this method was tested in this work. PCBs were extracted from plastic pellets with PFE at 65 ºC and under 100 bar with hexane. Then, the extracts were concentrated to 1 mL, cleaned up on Florisil cartridge through solid-phase extraction. Prior to analysis on GC-ECD, the cleaned extracts were concentrated again.
In the second part of the thesis, the following four extraction techniques of PCBs from plastic resin pellets were compared: Soxhlet extraction, PFE, ultrasonication and maceration. The obtain results have shown that the best efficiency and repeatability of extraction is achieved with PFE. In case of Soxhlet extraction, the results were unrepeatable. Maceration and ultrasonication had 40-45 % lower extraction efficiencies than PFE. Keywords: PCB, plastic resin pellets, pressurized fluid extraction, Soxhlet, maceration, ultrasonication, microplastics Published in RUNG: 22.06.2017; Views: 6053; Downloads: 270 Full text (1,95 MB) |
8. Determination of organochlorine pesticides adsorbed on plastic pellets2015, published scientific conference contribution abstract Abstract: In the past years, several studies have revealed the presence of organic contaminants at
concentrations from sub ng g–1 to mg g–1 on/in plastic pellets found in coastal environment
worldwide [1,2,3]. Plastic pellets are actually industrial raw material, typically in the shape of
small granules with a diameter of a few mm. They are categorized as microplastics (< 5 mm).
They can be unintentionally lost in the environment during manufacturing and transport. They
can subsequently reach the marine and coastal compartments. Due to their environmental
persistence, they are widely distributed in the oceans and on beaches [1]. Organic pollutants
associated to pellets are either additives (e.g. PBDEs) that are incorporated into plastics during
production processes or hydrophobic chemicals (e.g. PCBs, organochlorine pesticides) which
adsorb from the surrounding environment (e.g. seawater). Among these chemicals, some are
recognized as POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) because of their persistence,
bioaccumulation and potential adverse environmental and health effects. Thus, in order to
better assess the impact of plastic pellets in coastal environment, it is necessary to determine
the level of associated organic pollutants.
The present study was carried out in the frame of DeFishGear project, which focuses on marine
litter and microplastics issues in Adriatic region. This investigation aimed at developing an
experimental protocol allowing the quantification of 11 organochlorine pesticides. Plastic
pellets, sampled on beaches located in the Adriatic region, were first sorted by colour. Pesticides
were extracted from the plastic matrix (c.a. 0.5 g) in a pressurized fluid extractor (50°C, 100 bar).
Prior to evaporation, the extract was cleaned on Florisil sorbent through solid-phase extraction
(SPE). The concentrated extracts were quantified on gas chromatography equipped with a micro
electron capture detector (GC-μECD). Preliminary results revealed the presence of DDT
transformation products. Keywords: organochlorine pesticides, microplastics, pellets, Adriatic region Published in RUNG: 15.02.2016; Views: 5518; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |