Strategy towards producing relevant and reliable data for the hazard assessment of micro- and nanoplastics in agricultural soils

TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, vol. 172, pp. 117567

Abstract

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are widespread emerging contaminants with many potential direct and indirect effects on soil ecosystems. Ecological soil MNP hazard assessment is thus crucial for a proper risk assessment and the development of environmental protection regulations. However, current hazard assessment testing approaches are hampered by the absence of guidelines, harmonization, and standard reference materials. This article discusses the need for improving testing approaches and provides specific recommendations to increase the relevance and reliability of ecotoxicity data. Our recommendations focus on environmentally relevant experimental designs, guidelines for microplastic test materials selection and characterization, analysis of MNPs and additives in soil and biota, and a proposal for relevant soil physicochemical properties to be assessed during ecotoxicity testing. This article brings novelty to the field of ecological hazard assessment of MNPs in soil by providing solutions and specific recommendations much needed in this field.

Authors 19

1. Anita Jemec Kokalj corresponding

   University of Ljubljana

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia

2. Gabriela Kalčíková

   University of Ljubljana

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Ljubljana, Slovenia

3. Salla Selonen

   Finnish Environment Institute

   Affiliation as printed

   Finnish Environment Institute, Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790, Helsinki, Finland

4. Thijs Bosker Aachen Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML)

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9518, 2300, RA Leiden, the Netherlands

5. Damjana Drobne

   University of Ljubljana

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia

6. Darina Dvořáková

   University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Food Analysis and Nutrition, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague 6 – Dejvice, Prague, Czech Republic

7. Jakub Hofman

   Masaryk University · RECETOX

   Affiliation as printed

   RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic

8. Rachel R. Hurley

   Norwegian Institute for Water Research

   Affiliation as printed

   Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Økernveien 94, Oslo, 0579, Norway

9. Sarmite Kernchen

   University of Bayreuth

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Bayreuth, Department of Animal Ecology I and BayCEER, Bayreuth, Germany

10. Christian Laforsch

    University of Bayreuth

    Affiliation as printed

    University of Bayreuth, Department of Animal Ecology I and BayCEER, Bayreuth, Germany

11. Martin G. J. Löder

    University of Bayreuth

    Affiliation as printed

    University of Bayreuth, Department of Animal Ecology I and BayCEER, Bayreuth, Germany

12. Sam van Loon

    Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

    Affiliation as printed

    Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE), Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081, HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands

13. Paula E. Redondo‐Hasselerharm

    Universidad de Alcalá · IMDEA Water

    Affiliation as printed

    IMDEA Water Institute, Science and Technology Campus of the University of Alcalá, Avenida Punto Com, 2, 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain

14. Vili Saartama

    Finnish Environment Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Finnish Environment Institute, Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790, Helsinki, Finland

15. Klára Šmídová

    Masaryk University · RECETOX

    Affiliation as printed

    RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic

16. Aristeidis S. Tsagkaris

    University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Food Analysis and Nutrition, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague 6 – Dejvice, Prague, Czech Republic

17. Laura J. Zantis Aachen Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML)

    Leiden University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9518, 2300, RA Leiden, the Netherlands

18. Luca Nizzetto

    Norwegian Institute for Water Research

    Affiliation as printed

    Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Økernveien 94, Oslo, 0579, Norway

19. Cornelis A.M. van Gestel

    Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

    Affiliation as printed

    Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE), Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081, HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands