PAPILLONS (Plastic in Agricultural Production: Impacts, Life-cycle and LONg-term Sustainability)

Keywords	Soil management / functionality Farming practice Farming equipment and machinery Waste, by-products and residues management
Main funding source	Horizon 2020 (EU Research & Innovation programme)
Project Identification	Multi-actor project
Project type	Research project
Starting date	2021
End date	2025
Project status	Ongoing
Website	Official website of the PAPILLONS project

Title (in English):

PAPILLONS

Objective of the project (native language):

PAPILLONS will elucidate ecological and socioeconomic sustainability of agricultural plastics (APs) in relation to releases and impacts of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in European soils. We will advance knowledge on sources,behaviour and impacts through cross-disciplinary research, bringing together scientists from chemistry, materials engineering, agronomy, soil ecology, toxicology and social sciences. We will transform the scientific knowledge generated into guidance on specific solutions by applying a Multi-actor approach, involving actors in the agricultural and policy sector and world-leading industries.

Objective of the project (in English):

Description of activities (native language):

Developing a European inventory of agricultural plastic use and potential sources of micro- and nanoplastics

Unfolding the rate of release of micro- and nanoplastics from the use of agricultural plastics, as well as the mechanisms involved

Assessing agricultural plastic-derived pollution in several European farmed soils and linking possible correlations with changes in soil biodiversity

Understanding the behaviour of micro- and nanoplastics in soils and their transport to connected water ecosystems

Elucidating long term impacts of micro- and nanoplastic accumulation on soil properties, functions, biodiversity and fertility

Description of activities (in English):

Developing a European inventory of agricultural plastic use and potential sources of micro- and nanoplastics

Unfolding the rate of release of micro- and nanoplastics from the use of agricultural plastics, as well as the mechanisms involved

Assessing agricultural plastic-derived pollution in several European farmed soils and linking possible correlations with changes in soil biodiversity

Understanding the behaviour of micro- and nanoplastics in soils and their transport to connected water ecosystems

Elucidating long term impacts of micro- and nanoplastic accumulation on soil properties, functions, biodiversity and fertility

Project coordinator

Contact person:

Luca Nizzetto

Address:

Økernveien 94, 0579 Oslo, Norway

E-mail:

luca.nizzetto@niva.no

Phone:

+47 982 15 393

Practice summary

Practice abstract 1

Short title (in English):

Plasticulture – what is the link between plastics and agriculture?

Short summary for practitioners (in English):

Plastic in agriculture is widely used nowadays.
It has many separate applications, from mulching films, to wrapping silage, bags and agrochemical containers or contributing to irrigation or greenhouse systems. By using plastics, it has been possible to extend the growing season, reduce the need for herbicides, or increase agricultural production, which all contribute to food security. Plastics have been a relatively affordable, and practical solution for various farming practices, resulting in agricultural plastic products being key assets both in crop and livestock production. Besides their benefits for agriculture, however, plastics, and their residues, could have a potential negative impact on the health and sustainability of soils as well as on quality and value of the landscape. Since in some production system plastics get deployed directly in the environment, it sometimes comes in contact with soil especially following mishandling. During ageing of agricultural plastics and improper management of agricultural plastic waste, littering and fragmentation can occur with the accumulation of micro and
nanoplastics in the soil. These are small fragments (sometimes in microscopic or nanoscopic size) of plastic that can affect soil health and fertility. Furthermore, chemical additives present in plastic products could be potentially released over time as well, which then enter the soil, and through there it gets transferred to other parts of the environment. Once these plastics are in the soil, often in the form of micro- or nano plastics, it is nearly impossible to remove and retrieve them.

Short title (native language):

See the title in English.

Short summary for practitioners (native language):

See the summmary in English.

Practice abstract 2

Short title (in English):

Moving forward inresearch formicro-andnanoplastic referencematerials

Short summary for practitioners (in English):

Researching micro and nanoplastics (MNP) is often a challenge on its own. Due to their small size and varied characteristics, they can be difficult to quantify analytically. A common solid global framework for analysis and data reporting is currently lacking today. The PAPILLONS project has managed to create batches of custom-designed reference materials of MNPs produced from common polymer types for agricultural plastics (APs) used in European agriculture, which now can be used for reliable testing, assessment, and other research purposes. Moreover, this involves using not only virgin but representative, recycled agricultural plastics materials too. With this work, the PAPILLONS project manages to supply MNP reference materials not only to the different parts of its own research activities but can share them with the outside world too, where demand for such products is high. Besides the know-how on the production of such reference materials, what is equally important is that now the research project is characterizing these reference materials as well. Previously, only a few important attributes were recognized, but now an agenda and standard are set for a more detailed and harmonized system, which in return will facilitate better interpreting the results and understanding why certain effects are taking place. The designed code is easy to use and implement, while at the same time being sufficiently precise. Such documentation reinforces scientific clarity by providing a comparison of results.

Short title (native language):

See the title in English.

Short summary for practitioners (native language):

See the summmary in English.

Further details

Links to other website(s):

Twitter page

LinkdeIN page

YouTube channel

Audiovisual material:

YouTube channel

Practice abstract 1

Practice abstract 2

Description of the context of the project:

Healthy soil ecosystems are essential for achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal such as climate neutrality, biodiversity restoration, zero pollution, healthy and sustainable food systems and a resilient environment.

The European Commission has recently launched the Soil Health Mission, with the aim to ensure 75% of soils in Europe are healthy by 2030 and are able to provide essential ecosystem services, including the provision of safe food and biomass. In relation to this mission, the EU Soil Strategy cross-cuts several EU documents (Biodiversity Strategy, Farm to Fork Strategy, Zero pollution Strategy), which are also reflected in the pillars of the new Common Agricultural Policy.

PAPILLONS is an important instrument for the implementation of the Soil Strategy providing Research & Innovation Action supported under the Horizon 2020 framework. PAPILLONS products will also be relevant for the implementation of the EU Plastic Strategy in the Circular Economy, providing an inventory of agricultural plastic usage, management and mismanagement in Europe.