2 Dec

Online via Zoom

No regrets? The accumulation of micro plastics in agricultural soils

Micro plastics are one of the many contaminants found in the sludge applied to agricultural soils. Current expectations are that the current Swedish practice of using sludge as a soil amendment will continue and possibly even increase over time. It is important therefore that we have a clear idea of the fate and associated risks of micro plastics in sludge applied to agricultural soils.

The aim of the symposium is to share results from the IMPASSE project and to highlight other relevant research in Sweden as the basis for dialog. Specifically, we hope to discuss whether our current knowledge is sufficient to safely manage the risks of microplastics in sludge applied to agricultural land or if we should be following the precautionary principle until we know more?  

Facts

Time: 2020-12-02 13:30
City: Online via Zoom
Additional info:

The IMPASSE project “Impacts of MicroPlastics in AgroSystems and Stream Environments” is financially supported by JPI Water/FORMAS. Since 2016 we in the project at SLU have been working with colleagues in Canada, Spain, Norway and Germany to build a better understanding of the risks associated with micro plastics in agricultural soils. One of the key project findings has been that most micro plastics in sludge applied to soils appear to be lost from the system. Their eventual fate is currently unknown, but they may runoff to lakes and rivers, or percolate to groundwater.

In the project, we have also interviewed relevant Swedish experts in government, the wastewater treatment sector, research organizations and NGOs in order to better understand both current knowledge and perspectives on micro plastics in sludge applied to agricultural land.