Impact of microplastic artefacts on urban soil ecosystem functions

• Grant number: 21/11350-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): February 10, 2022
• Effective date (End): July 27, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Physical Geography
• Principal Investigator: Sheila Aparecida Correia Furquim
• Grantee: Jéssica Rafaela da Costa
• Supervisor: Geoffroy Sere
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Research place: Université de Lorraine (UL), France
• Associated to the scholarship: 19/03576-7 - The genesis of pedogenetic structures in urban soils and their reflections on hydraulic conductivity, BP.DR

Abstract

The knowledge about the consequences of human modification in soils is still incipient in science, especially considering the major expectations in terms of ecosystem services provided by urban soils to face the main environmental issues. Among the main changes is the introduction of artefacts, i.e. anthropic material, including microplastic. Thus, the objective of the project is to carry out statistical analyzes to describe the characteristics of the soils including microplastic presence. In addition, a practical laboratory experiment will be implemented to describe the consequences of the introduction of microplastics, in a soil under controlled conditions, on major soil functions (i.e. fertility, water filtration and retention, biodiversity habitat). It is expected with the project that it will be possible to identify typical characteristics of modified soils, as well as the perception of how the interaction initially occurs between soil, microplastics and organic matter. (AU)