In research where the objective is to study the impact of microplastics on soil properties, is it necessary to evaluate the original microplastic concentration of the test soils?
If the soils are polluted with microplastics, are they unsuitable for exposure treatments where additional microplastics (of known characteristics and concentration) will be added to the soil?
Assessing the initial levels of microplastics in test soils is crucial for investigating the influence of microplastics on soil properties. Moreover, if the soils are already contaminated with microplastics, they might still be appropriate for exposure treatments that involve introducing known microplastics. However, a comprehensive evaluation of the combined impacts of pre-existing and introduced microplastics is essential.
Dear Dr. Abdelhak Maghchiche , Thank you for your contribution and insight.
Could you please elaborate on how I could evaluate the combined impact of pre-existing and introduced microplastics? Will setting up a control treatment where no new microplastics are introduced be sufficient to study the impact of pre-existing contaminants?
In research aimed at investigating the influence of microplastics on soil properties, it is crucial to assess the initial concentration of microplastics in the test soils. This is essential because the existing presence of microplastics in the soil can affect various soil characteristics, such as pH, respiration, and enzymatic activities, depending on the properties of the microplastics. If the soils are already contaminated with microplastics, they may not be suitable for exposure treatments involving the addition of known microplastics with specific characteristics and concentrations. To comprehensively evaluate the combined effects of pre-existing and introduced microplastics, it is imperative to establish a control treatment where no new microplastics are introduced. This setup enables researchers to specifically examine the impact of pre-existing contaminants.
Abdelhak Maghchiche Thank you for your invaluable insights. Much appreciated.
yes, you might need to characterize the initial MPs concentration in soil as you mentioned the soil to test has high amount of MPs, that would act as your baseline of initial conditions. However, also on the the second question, I think everything depends on your research objectives. This short editorial communication might be also of your interest, STOTEN's minimum requirements for measurement of plastics in environmental samples
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168465.
Diego A. Pinzón-Núñez Thank you for your contribution, the article you shared led to some crucial and valuable insights. Much thanks.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Immunology
- Antibodies