Webinar of Dr Gabin COLOMBINI
June 15th 2023
Investigating microplastics pollution in soil systems: toward a better understanding of global microplastic fluxes?
Home institution: IRD, IEES, Paris, FranceSynopsis
Soils are long-term sink of microplastics. They are expected to continuously deliver microplastics toward aquatic environment, through both vertical and lateral fluxes. In the meantime, soil microplastic pollution may also result from aquatic sources, such as irrigation, using contaminated water. Thus, in order to understand the global cycle of microplastic pollution in the environment, soil microplastics quantification is mandatory.The first goal of this presentation is to present the main sources of microplastics in soils and show the significant knowledge gap regarding the quantitative state of soil pollution worldwide. The second goal is to present upcoming research in South-Eastern Asia which is highly affected by plastic issues. Special consideration will be given to sampling and analytical constraints related to the soil matrix and the need for collaboration with experts on aquatic pollution will be highlighted.