Evaluation of pesticide and microplastic contamination levels in Brazilian soil and freshwater systems followed by ecological risk assessment

• Grant number: 24/13636-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Cassiana Carolina Montagner
• Grantee: Luiz Felipe Lobo de Oliveira
• 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

Abstract

Pesticide pollution is considered among the greatest challenges for a sustainable agribusiness model, and the effects of their presence in the environment have been widely studied. Brazil is the third largest consumer of pesticides in the world and has approved the use of 428 active ingredients in different crops. Several pesticides have been reported in surface water samples in concentrations that exceeded the water quality criteria for aquatic life protection. Other contaminants are also present in the agriculture sector, such as plastics. According to the Brazilian Association of the Plastic Industry, 3.2% of the total plastic consumed in 2018 was used in agriculture, representing about 223 million tons. This sector is among the ten biggest plastic consumers in the country. Most agricultural plastics have a lifetime between 1 and 5 years and are made of polyethylene or polypropylene. The main objective of this project will be to establish the pesticide and microplastic contamination levels in Brazilian soil and freshwater systems and carry out an ecological risk assessment (ERA). The research hypothesis are (i) levels of microplastics and pesticide pollution are affected by season or land use and occupation; (ii) differences in microplastic and pesticide pollution levels obtained from comparison of upstream/downstream samples can enhance identification of primary inputs of these contaminants into rivers and identify worse case scenarios; (ii) microplastics and pesticides in ecosystem lead to changes in physical and chemical parameters, decreased biodiversity and lethal and sublethal ecotoxicity for sensitive species.