MinagrisEU - Impacts of plastic debris on soil health
@minagriseu.bsky.social
Horizon-funded project exploring the impacts of microplastics & nanoplastics on agricultural soil & soil organism health and the viability of alternatives to plastic in farming. #plastics #soilhealth #horizon2020 #farming #microplastics
Across 11 study sites in 6 biogeographical regions of Europe, MINAGRIS is working with farmers, advisors and scientists to understand how agricultural plastics and other contaminants affect soils, crops and ecosystems.
#Agriculture #Sustainability #MINAGRIS #HorizonEU #Plastic #Research #Europe
#Agriculture #Sustainability #MINAGRIS #HorizonEU #Plastic #Research #Europe
November 13, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Across 11 study sites in 6 biogeographical regions of Europe, MINAGRIS is working with farmers, advisors and scientists to understand how agricultural plastics and other contaminants affect soils, crops and ecosystems.
#Agriculture #Sustainability #MINAGRIS #HorizonEU #Plastic #Research #Europe
#Agriculture #Sustainability #MINAGRIS #HorizonEU #Plastic #Research #Europe
Microplastics aren’t just in the ocean, they’re in our soil all around us too.
Researchers from Lancaster University have found that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils is steadily increasing.
#Microplastics #MINAGRIS #Sustainability #Environment #ClimateChange #FoodSecurity #HorizonEU
Researchers from Lancaster University have found that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils is steadily increasing.
#Microplastics #MINAGRIS #Sustainability #Environment #ClimateChange #FoodSecurity #HorizonEU
November 11, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Microplastics aren’t just in the ocean, they’re in our soil all around us too.
Researchers from Lancaster University have found that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils is steadily increasing.
#Microplastics #MINAGRIS #Sustainability #Environment #ClimateChange #FoodSecurity #HorizonEU
Researchers from Lancaster University have found that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils is steadily increasing.
#Microplastics #MINAGRIS #Sustainability #Environment #ClimateChange #FoodSecurity #HorizonEU
We are looking people people across Europe to sign up to our SoilPlastic app to report sightings of plastic in soils.
Want to know what that involves before you download? Watch the video below 👇
#soilscience
Want to know what that involves before you download? Watch the video below 👇
#soilscience
October 28, 2025 at 10:43 AM
We are looking people people across Europe to sign up to our SoilPlastic app to report sightings of plastic in soils.
Want to know what that involves before you download? Watch the video below 👇
#soilscience
Want to know what that involves before you download? Watch the video below 👇
#soilscience
Over the next year, MINAGRIS will be producing all of its final research results, helping us understand much more about the impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on agricultural soils. Sign up to our monthly newsletter you will be the first to know what we are doing and learning: buff.ly/z9YZUay
October 21, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Over the next year, MINAGRIS will be producing all of its final research results, helping us understand much more about the impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on agricultural soils. Sign up to our monthly newsletter you will be the first to know what we are doing and learning: buff.ly/z9YZUay
MINAGRIS was represented at the Joint International Conference of MikroBioKosmos Society & CEESME last month by Stathis Lagos and Eleni Lamprou in September.
It's fantastic to see our researchers hard at work sharing new research to audiences across Europe 👏👏👏
#mbkceesme2025 #soilscience
It's fantastic to see our researchers hard at work sharing new research to audiences across Europe 👏👏👏
#mbkceesme2025 #soilscience
October 14, 2025 at 9:43 AM
MINAGRIS was represented at the Joint International Conference of MikroBioKosmos Society & CEESME last month by Stathis Lagos and Eleni Lamprou in September.
It's fantastic to see our researchers hard at work sharing new research to audiences across Europe 👏👏👏
#mbkceesme2025 #soilscience
It's fantastic to see our researchers hard at work sharing new research to audiences across Europe 👏👏👏
#mbkceesme2025 #soilscience
A review of available scientific data has revealed that far from plastic being an 'inert' material, the level of additives/chemicals in plastics is causing problems across the globe.
Read the journal article here: buff.ly/i3X6Wgi and a short summary article here: buff.ly/SV5maeX
Read the journal article here: buff.ly/i3X6Wgi and a short summary article here: buff.ly/SV5maeX
October 9, 2025 at 9:43 AM
A review of available scientific data has revealed that far from plastic being an 'inert' material, the level of additives/chemicals in plastics is causing problems across the globe.
Read the journal article here: buff.ly/i3X6Wgi and a short summary article here: buff.ly/SV5maeX
Read the journal article here: buff.ly/i3X6Wgi and a short summary article here: buff.ly/SV5maeX
Last week MINAGRIS held its fourth General Meeting in Vienna. The main takeaways? Some great research is emerging on plastics and soil microbiome, plastics in real-world farming conditions, and what to do at the policy and practice level.
Here are the assembled troops of committed scientists 🔬🧪💪
Here are the assembled troops of committed scientists 🔬🧪💪
October 7, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Last week MINAGRIS held its fourth General Meeting in Vienna. The main takeaways? Some great research is emerging on plastics and soil microbiome, plastics in real-world farming conditions, and what to do at the policy and practice level.
Here are the assembled troops of committed scientists 🔬🧪💪
Here are the assembled troops of committed scientists 🔬🧪💪
Do you want to help us by doing some citizen science?
We launched the SoilPlastic app to help us track plastic sightings in soils, and we hope to tell a story about the extent of plastic waste in our soils.
Download the app now - buff.ly/0OZT8Zu - and make a difference. See how it works 👇
We launched the SoilPlastic app to help us track plastic sightings in soils, and we hope to tell a story about the extent of plastic waste in our soils.
Download the app now - buff.ly/0OZT8Zu - and make a difference. See how it works 👇
September 25, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Do you want to help us by doing some citizen science?
We launched the SoilPlastic app to help us track plastic sightings in soils, and we hope to tell a story about the extent of plastic waste in our soils.
Download the app now - buff.ly/0OZT8Zu - and make a difference. See how it works 👇
We launched the SoilPlastic app to help us track plastic sightings in soils, and we hope to tell a story about the extent of plastic waste in our soils.
Download the app now - buff.ly/0OZT8Zu - and make a difference. See how it works 👇
In case you missed it, here's our fifth MINAGRIS briefing, covering the potential for global plastics policy development, an interview with Giulia Carcasci from the FAO, and everything we've been up to 2024-5.
Find it here: buff.ly/gCXu1Ll
#microplastics #soilscience #horizoneurope
Find it here: buff.ly/gCXu1Ll
#microplastics #soilscience #horizoneurope
September 23, 2025 at 9:43 AM
In case you missed it, here's our fifth MINAGRIS briefing, covering the potential for global plastics policy development, an interview with Giulia Carcasci from the FAO, and everything we've been up to 2024-5.
Find it here: buff.ly/gCXu1Ll
#microplastics #soilscience #horizoneurope
Find it here: buff.ly/gCXu1Ll
#microplastics #soilscience #horizoneurope
Investigating the impact of microplastics in combination with common farm chemicals is a lot of work. Here are Esperanza Huerta Lwanga and Nicolas Beriot are doing field work in the Netherlands. Let’s give them a massive thanks for all the work they do!
#soilscience
#soilscience
September 18, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Investigating the impact of microplastics in combination with common farm chemicals is a lot of work. Here are Esperanza Huerta Lwanga and Nicolas Beriot are doing field work in the Netherlands. Let’s give them a massive thanks for all the work they do!
#soilscience
#soilscience
Industrial societies have produced over 100 million novel entities, with anywhere between 35,000 and 400,000 currently in use (Guardian). Their prevalence has exceeded planetary boundaries into the risk zone.
Read the full report from Deep Science Ventures: buff.ly/28hCxgc
Read the full report from Deep Science Ventures: buff.ly/28hCxgc
September 16, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Industrial societies have produced over 100 million novel entities, with anywhere between 35,000 and 400,000 currently in use (Guardian). Their prevalence has exceeded planetary boundaries into the risk zone.
Read the full report from Deep Science Ventures: buff.ly/28hCxgc
Read the full report from Deep Science Ventures: buff.ly/28hCxgc
What happens to a soil organism, Springtails, when different types of #microplastics are combined with common farm chemicals? The results show that biodegradable plastics are not as harmless as they seem.
Read our factsheet here: buff.ly/RitNwAt
#soilscience
Read our factsheet here: buff.ly/RitNwAt
#soilscience
September 9, 2025 at 9:43 AM
What happens to a soil organism, Springtails, when different types of #microplastics are combined with common farm chemicals? The results show that biodegradable plastics are not as harmless as they seem.
Read our factsheet here: buff.ly/RitNwAt
#soilscience
Read our factsheet here: buff.ly/RitNwAt
#soilscience
Biodegradable plastic film (PBAT) is often posed as an alternative to conventional plastics for agricultural use. But how does it affect soil and plant growth?
Here's what research supported by MINAGRIS found: buff.ly/tFBSKY5
#soilscience
Here's what research supported by MINAGRIS found: buff.ly/tFBSKY5
#soilscience
September 3, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Biodegradable plastic film (PBAT) is often posed as an alternative to conventional plastics for agricultural use. But how does it affect soil and plant growth?
Here's what research supported by MINAGRIS found: buff.ly/tFBSKY5
#soilscience
Here's what research supported by MINAGRIS found: buff.ly/tFBSKY5
#soilscience
What are the effects of #plastics, and the chemicals it contains, on human and planetary health? The Lancet is planning to track this through their Countdown on Health and Plastics.
Read more about this important initiative here: buff.ly/zaOHmYS
Read more about this important initiative here: buff.ly/zaOHmYS
August 27, 2025 at 3:15 PM
What are the effects of #plastics, and the chemicals it contains, on human and planetary health? The Lancet is planning to track this through their Countdown on Health and Plastics.
Read more about this important initiative here: buff.ly/zaOHmYS
Read more about this important initiative here: buff.ly/zaOHmYS
The latest failure of the #GlobalPlasticsTreaty is disappointing but not unexpected - the latest example of the collapse of the multilateral order, the political polarisation of sustainability agendas and the consequent spread of misinformation.
What can we do? See below 👇
What can we do? See below 👇
August 20, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The latest failure of the #GlobalPlasticsTreaty is disappointing but not unexpected - the latest example of the collapse of the multilateral order, the political polarisation of sustainability agendas and the consequent spread of misinformation.
What can we do? See below 👇
What can we do? See below 👇
This sweeping French scientific review shows how microplastics are affecting agricultural soils and argues for a shift of thinking away from recycling towards prevention and the development of viable alternatives.
Read the summary and full report here: buff.ly/flwJFDp
Read the summary and full report here: buff.ly/flwJFDp
August 13, 2025 at 9:43 AM
This sweeping French scientific review shows how microplastics are affecting agricultural soils and argues for a shift of thinking away from recycling towards prevention and the development of viable alternatives.
Read the summary and full report here: buff.ly/flwJFDp
Read the summary and full report here: buff.ly/flwJFDp
Our latest biannual briefing is out, including interviews and articles with policymakers and thinkers about how to create sustainable #plastics policies and regulations in this era of polarisation.
Download here 👉 buff.ly/qfASiJ5
#soilscience
Download here 👉 buff.ly/qfASiJ5
#soilscience
July 25, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Our latest biannual briefing is out, including interviews and articles with policymakers and thinkers about how to create sustainable #plastics policies and regulations in this era of polarisation.
Download here 👉 buff.ly/qfASiJ5
#soilscience
Download here 👉 buff.ly/qfASiJ5
#soilscience
What do testicles, clouds, beer and arctic ice all have in common? These are all places you might find #microplastics. Check out this handy explainer on what they are, where they're found, and even how they interact with our #climate here: buff.ly/MJP9cxl
July 15, 2025 at 3:15 PM
What do testicles, clouds, beer and arctic ice all have in common? These are all places you might find #microplastics. Check out this handy explainer on what they are, where they're found, and even how they interact with our #climate here: buff.ly/MJP9cxl
We love to share breakthroughs from other teams. This research has found a new way of isolating plastisphere-soil (bug communities living off plastic waste), which could be a foundation for finding which ones can eat plastic 🦠.
Read the full article: buff.ly/LcIBsEU
Read the full article: buff.ly/LcIBsEU
July 11, 2025 at 3:15 PM
We love to share breakthroughs from other teams. This research has found a new way of isolating plastisphere-soil (bug communities living off plastic waste), which could be a foundation for finding which ones can eat plastic 🦠.
Read the full article: buff.ly/LcIBsEU
Read the full article: buff.ly/LcIBsEU
MINAGRIS were hard at work at the regenerative agriculture festival #Groundswell25 last week sharing valuable information about the impact of #microplastics in agricultural soils - and particularly about our farmer's guidance on soil water repellency.
#soilscience
#soilscience
July 7, 2025 at 9:43 AM
MINAGRIS were hard at work at the regenerative agriculture festival #Groundswell25 last week sharing valuable information about the impact of #microplastics in agricultural soils - and particularly about our farmer's guidance on soil water repellency.
#soilscience
#soilscience
MINAGRIS partner Dr Charlotte Chivers recently visited the Cartagena region of Spain, an area characterised by arid conditions, water scarcity and increasing desertification.
She talks about why the widespread use of #plastics in #agriculture might be a problem.
#soilscience
She talks about why the widespread use of #plastics in #agriculture might be a problem.
#soilscience
July 4, 2025 at 3:15 PM
MINAGRIS partner Dr Charlotte Chivers recently visited the Cartagena region of Spain, an area characterised by arid conditions, water scarcity and increasing desertification.
She talks about why the widespread use of #plastics in #agriculture might be a problem.
#soilscience
She talks about why the widespread use of #plastics in #agriculture might be a problem.
#soilscience
Earthworm casts are really important for soil health because earthworms, as they eat, poop and wriggle about in the soil, they produce casts that are full of nutrients that go into the soil.
Are these earthworm casts affected by #microplastics? This is what we found....
#soilscience
Are these earthworm casts affected by #microplastics? This is what we found....
#soilscience
June 26, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Earthworm casts are really important for soil health because earthworms, as they eat, poop and wriggle about in the soil, they produce casts that are full of nutrients that go into the soil.
Are these earthworm casts affected by #microplastics? This is what we found....
#soilscience
Are these earthworm casts affected by #microplastics? This is what we found....
#soilscience
The MINAGRIS team interviewed 133 farmers across Europe to ask them about plastic use and recycling on their farms. 47% said their plastic use was either very severe or quite severe, with only 9% saying it was non-existent.
Read the complete research buff.ly/UMWcyj0
#soilscience
Read the complete research buff.ly/UMWcyj0
#soilscience
June 19, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The MINAGRIS team interviewed 133 farmers across Europe to ask them about plastic use and recycling on their farms. 47% said their plastic use was either very severe or quite severe, with only 9% saying it was non-existent.
Read the complete research buff.ly/UMWcyj0
#soilscience
Read the complete research buff.ly/UMWcyj0
#soilscience
Vehicle tyres are creating a soil microplastics problem 🚛. New research analysed the concentration of tyre wear particles on quiet roads in Switzerland and found large concentrations of particles.
Read more in our new factsheet - link below
#soilscience
buff.ly/MqrtwbU
Read more in our new factsheet - link below
#soilscience
buff.ly/MqrtwbU
June 17, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Vehicle tyres are creating a soil microplastics problem 🚛. New research analysed the concentration of tyre wear particles on quiet roads in Switzerland and found large concentrations of particles.
Read more in our new factsheet - link below
#soilscience
buff.ly/MqrtwbU
Read more in our new factsheet - link below
#soilscience
buff.ly/MqrtwbU
Can #microplastics with #desertification collide?
Farmers use plastic mulches to retain water and suppress weeds. But over the long term, could this increase the problem of arid land? Read our blog to find out more: buff.ly/78tZNDK
Farmers use plastic mulches to retain water and suppress weeds. But over the long term, could this increase the problem of arid land? Read our blog to find out more: buff.ly/78tZNDK
June 12, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Can #microplastics with #desertification collide?
Farmers use plastic mulches to retain water and suppress weeds. But over the long term, could this increase the problem of arid land? Read our blog to find out more: buff.ly/78tZNDK
Farmers use plastic mulches to retain water and suppress weeds. But over the long term, could this increase the problem of arid land? Read our blog to find out more: buff.ly/78tZNDK