J1-70041
Generation, uptake, and impact of micro- and nanoPLASTics in grapeVINE (PLASTVINE), 1.3.2026-28.2.2029, Janja Vidmar
Project abstract
Plastics play an important role in agriculture, helping to control weeds and pests, protect water, and improve crop quality and yield. However, improper disposal and loss of plastics in the fields contribute to their significant accumulation in the soil. As plastic materials degrade into microplastics (MP) and nanoplastics (NP), they present substantial environmental risks, affecting plant growth, soil health, and potentially human health through the food chain if MNPs are absorbed by plants. Currently, there is limited knowledge about the environmental fate, uptake by edible plants, and effects of MNPs on plants. The lack of sensitive and selective analytical methods further hinders accurate quantitative assessments. To evaluate the potential risks of MNPs to plants, further research under realistic environmental conditions, using aged MNPs at relevant concentrations, is needed.
The proposed project PLASTVINE aims to carry out a comprehensive study on MNPs pollution in viticulture, investigating the full life cycle of MNPs, from their source to their uptake by grapevines, and assessing their effects on grapevines under realistic environmental conditions. Grapevines are selected as a model plant due to their significant market value. In the project, we will first develop advanced analytical tools to quantify MNPs, utilizing single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) to monitor their intrinsic metal fingerprints. This method, along with complementary techniques such as electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, will be applied to quantitatively investigate the uptake and accumulation of MNPs in grapevines grown in hydroponic and soil systems, exposed to MNPs in both laboratory- and field-scale experiments. The exposure experiments will involve MNPs, derived from the degradation of agricultural plastics used in viticulture, produced through accelerated weathering under simulated environmental conditions. The project will assess the biochemical, morphological, and physiological responses of the plants, including the role of MNPs as vectors for potentially toxic elements, the uptake of micro- and macronutrients, changes at the gene expression level, their impact on plant growth and the quality attributes of plants and agricultural soil.
The outcomes of the PLASTVINE project will enhance our understanding of the presence and fate of MNPs in viticulture, particularly their quantification and distribution within different parts of the grapevine, as well as the impact of particle size and growing media on their uptake. By improving knowledge of the environmental and agricultural risks linked to MNP pollution, the project will contribute to better environmental and food safety. Additionally, it will raise awareness of these emerging contaminants among key stakeholders, including manufacturers of agricultural plastics, farmers, wine and food producers, and consumers.
