Microplastics and their effects on the degradation of the pesticide atrazine

• Grant number: 24/02189-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Agreement: CNPq
• Principal Investigator: Cassiana Carolina Montagner
• Grantee: Cassiana Carolina Montagner
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/12104-4 - Fate and impacts of microplastics and pesticides in aquatic and terrestrial matrices in agricultural contexts, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/11107-5 - Microplastics and their effects on the degradation of the pesticide atrazine, BP.JD

Abstract

Microplastics, plastic particles less than 5 mm in size, have shown notoriety in environmental studies due to their ubiquitous presence in the environment and their ability to interact with compounds of different classes. This interaction occurs mainly in an aquatic environment, where both microplastics and other contaminants are present concomitantly. Thus, microplastics act as vectors of organic and inorganic compounds, changing the dynamics of distribution in the environment. So, microplastics can modify the degradation of contaminants, for example, pesticides, affecting their persistence in the environment and, consequently, their toxic potential for biota. Studies involving the sorption of compounds on microplastics are commonly in the literature. However, a more detailed investigation into how interactions occur in these systems and the influence of microplastics on degradation processes is still a gap in the scientific area. In this context, this project aims to evaluate the degradation of atrazine, one of the most commercialized pesticides in Brazil and frequently found in environmental matrices, using freshwater microcosm systems containing polyethylene and polyamide microplastics. This project will contribute to the development of the recently initiated Thematic Project, entitled "Fate and impacts of microplastics and pesticides in aquatic and terrestrial matrices in agricultural contexts", under the responsibility of Professor Cassiana C. Montagner. Using a reference compound, such as atrazine, in studies carried out in microcosm systems allows simulation of a more accurate and broader condition of the phenomena that occur in the aquatic environment. Currently, there is a lack of data regarding the interactions of microplastics with pesticide degradation products. Since some of the degradation products of atrazine may present more significant toxicity to biota than the original molecule, it is essential to understand and elucidate the distribution dynamics of these compounds in the aquatic environment in the presence of microplastics. Microplastics will be used in their virgin and laboratory-degraded forms to carry out this project. Microplastics will be characterized using techniques previously described in the literature. The formation of target atrazine degradation products will be monitored through kinetic experiments. Non-target atrazine degradation products may also be identified throughout the study. (AU)