The toxicity impacts and ecological risk assessment of the synergistic interaction of micro-plastics and pesticides on soil biota

The plastic mulch film has been widely used in agriculture around the world, plastic can degrade into small particles and accumulate in soil and plants , posing toxicity on them thereafter. Furthermore, the additives released from plastics mulch film may enhance the effects on soil-plant system. This project focus on the effect of microplastic and its leachate on soil-plant system. In this study, biodegradable (PBAT/PHA) will be used to simulate the MP-contamination in agricultural soils, with extracts as additives being used to assess the toxicity on plant growth such as root length, shoot height and biomass. Additionally, an assessment of soil quality will be conducted to determine the potential consequence of additives to soil nutrient cycling disturbed by MPs.