Validation of the chromatographic method for analysis of two residual herbicides in soil contaminated with microplastics

• Grant number: 25/06658-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Kassio Ferreira Mendes
• Grantee: Gustavo Carrenho Spagnol
• Host Institution: Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/08299-0 - TRACEABILITY OF MICROPLASTICS IN AGRICULTURAL SOILS AND INTERACTIONS WITH RESIDUAL HERBICIDES, AP.R

Abstract

Plastics are widely used in agriculture to preserve, transport, package, and market agricultural products. However, agricultural activity is one of the main sources of plastic waste in the soil, including microplastics (MPs), which have significant ecological impacts, such as threats to soil fauna and the ability to concentrate organic pollutants. The interaction of MPs with residual herbicides, such as S-metolachlor and hexazinone, can affect weed control by reducing the efficacy of these herbicides. This project aims to trace the contamination of agricultural soils by MPs and how this interacts with residual herbicides. Due to the physicochemical characteristics of these herbicides, they may show different responses in their interaction with MPs. Therefore, physicochemical analyses of MPs, sorption and desorption tests will be conducted in order to understand the behavior of both herbicides in the presence of these polymers, in addition to leaching studies. Understanding these interactions will help raise awareness among producers and researchers about the consequences of polymer contamination in the environment. Thus, this study will contribute to developing alternatives to mitigate the effects caused by MP contamination, not only in agricultural production areas but throughout the environment. This can be achieved by raising producers' awareness about the proper disposal of plastic waste and by developing more sustainable methods for the production and packaging of agricultural goods. Furthermore, it is essential to investigate new remediation techniques for the removal of MPs from the soil. Awareness and the adoption of more sustainable practices are key to reducing the environmental impacts of plastics in agriculture and across ecosystems.