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Background
Background
As the world continues to experience socio-economic development, the issue of plastic waste and its associated risks become more pressing. The potential dangers of MPs have led to growing concerns about the impact of these particles on the environment and human health. In addition, PFAS are among the most persistent emerging micropollutants and among the most studied substances due to their impact on the environment and on human health and are subject to great attention by regulatory bodies.
The project recognizes the urgent need to address the issue of persistent emerging contaminants and will take a multidisciplinary approach, involving materials science, analytical chemistry, toxicology, and environmental sciences, to elucidate the interaction between MPs and PFAS and how this phenomenon influences their toxicity in plants and transfer in the food chain.
Project in a nutshell
Project in a nutshell
To pursue this objective and achieve the expected results, the project will develop environmentally relevant MPs, reflecting the wide heterogeneity of shape, size, and chemical composition of the MPs present in the soil environment. Additionally, to move closer to the heterogeneous and complex natural phenomena acting on plastic wastes, the project will also consider abiotic and biotic ageing processes of MPs to elucidate how the generation of specific functional groups on MP surface can influence their interaction with environmental contaminants. Both virgin and aged MPs will be investigated for their interaction with PFAS at varying environmentally relevant conditions of pH and ionic strength, and the synergistic effects of these emerging contaminants, in terms of plants’ physiology, biochemistry, and metabolomics, will be evaluated on two crops of great human concern: tomato and lettuce. The biodistribution and bioaccumulation of PFAS from soil to plant tissues, including fruits, will be assessed using high resolution mass spectrometry.
Work Packages
Work Packages
WP 1 – Production, ageing, and characterization of environmentally relevant test microplastics
WP 1 – Production, ageing, and characterization of environmentally relevant test microplastics
In WP 1, an extensive preparation and characterization of test MPs with different physical-chemical and morphological properties will be implemented. This WP aims at fully investigate the mechanisms acting on MP generation and degradation and at producing sufficient amounts of test materials for adsorption and toxicity tests.
WP 2 – Assessment of modes of interaction between microplastics and PFAS
WP 2 – Assessment of modes of interaction between microplastics and PFAS
In WP 2, we will investigate the adsorption of selected PFAS with environmentally relevant MPs, focusing on their different physicochemical properties. This WP aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of adsorption mechanisms between these two pollutants, simulating environmentally relevant conditions.
WP 3 – Evaluation of the synergistic toxicity of microplastics and PFAS on model crops
WP 3 – Evaluation of the synergistic toxicity of microplastics and PFAS on model crops
In WP 3, we will investigate the effects of PFAS-contaminated MPs on two model crops (tomato and lettuce) to characterize the mechanisms of action, their toxicity, and potential translocation through roots to leaves/fruits.
This project will contribute to the advancement of knowledge and technology in this area, thanks to the contamination between materials science and environmental sciences. The project will shed lights of the mechanisms of interaction between MPs and PFAS in the soil environment, by introducing true-to-life test materials produced by mechanical fragmentation of daily-used plastic objects, featuring high environmental relevance. This will enhance the accuracy of current investigations on MPs and produce reliable data.
The project will evaluate different mechanical fragmentation techniques for the preparation of test MPs, adding crucial information to the existing knowledge on the preparation of environmentally relevant test materials for laboratory assessment of ecosystem impacts.
By introducing comprehensive abiotic and biotic weathering strategies, the project will provide better understanding of the ageing phenomena acting on MPs in the environment and their impact on MP characteristics, distribution, and interactions with other pollutants.
Finally, the project will provide knowledge about the role of MPs as vector of PFAS contamination and the potential synergistic harmful effects of MPs and PFAS on human relevant crops, both in terms of food safety (persistence of contaminants through the trophic chain) and food security (efficiency of plant’ growth and production).
Social impact
Social impact
The project will have a significant impact on the awareness of society, which is daily exposed to MPs and PFAS contamination from food, as these substances are pervasive and persistent pollutants with potential health risks. In addition to the impact on human health, the project is also concerned with the safety of the food supply, as the synergistic contamination may affect the efficiency of crops cultivations. In this view, the findings arising from the project results could guide agricultural practices and policy-making, leading to enhanced regulations aimed at minimizing the presence of MPs and PFAS in agricultural soils and water sources and at prioritizing public safety.
Ultimately, this project will contribute to improved public health by promoting a safer food production and could stimulate broader environmental awareness, encouraging society to adopt more sustainable practices to mitigate pollution.
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