Does Microplastic Contamination in Agricultural Soils Decrease the Efficiency of Herbicides for Weed Control?

The contamination of agricultural soils by microplastics (MPs) has significant implications for herbicide efficacy and soil health. This study investigates the effects of MPs on critical processes such as the sorption, desorption, and degradation of herbicides, highlighting their influence on these...

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Main Authors: Maura Gabriela da Silva Brochado, Iara Barbosa Magalhães, Júlia Martins Soares, Alessandro da Costa Lima, Laura Bordignon, Allana Grecco Guedes, Mariana Ramírez Castillo, Kassio Ferreira Mendes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Microplastics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8929/3/4/48
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author Maura Gabriela da Silva Brochado
Iara Barbosa Magalhães
Júlia Martins Soares
Alessandro da Costa Lima
Laura Bordignon
Allana Grecco Guedes
Mariana Ramírez Castillo
Kassio Ferreira Mendes
author_facet Maura Gabriela da Silva Brochado
Iara Barbosa Magalhães
Júlia Martins Soares
Alessandro da Costa Lima
Laura Bordignon
Allana Grecco Guedes
Mariana Ramírez Castillo
Kassio Ferreira Mendes
author_sort Maura Gabriela da Silva Brochado
collection DOAJ
description The contamination of agricultural soils by microplastics (MPs) has significant implications for herbicide efficacy and soil health. This study investigates the effects of MPs on critical processes such as the sorption, desorption, and degradation of herbicides, highlighting their influence on these compounds’ mobility, persistence, and bioavailability. MPs interact with herbicides through sorption mechanisms, often reducing the availability of these compounds for weed control by retaining them on their surfaces. This sorption not only limits the immediate efficacy of herbicides but also alters their desorption process, resulting in a prolonged release into the soil environment. Additionally, MPs can inhibit microbial activity involved in herbicide degradation, increasing the time degradation of the half-life of these substances and extending their persistence in the environment. These processes collectively enhance the risks of bioaccumulation and environmental contamination. Understanding these interactions is essential for developing strategies to mitigate the impacts of MPs on herbicide performance and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
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id doaj-art-db47f2d173a946f8adfb33e9cf9a218e
institution OA Journals
issn 2673-8929
language English
publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Microplastics
spelling doaj-art-db47f2d173a946f8adfb33e9cf9a218e2025-08-20T02:01:10ZengMDPI AGMicroplastics2673-89292024-12-013477178810.3390/microplastics3040048Does Microplastic Contamination in Agricultural Soils Decrease the Efficiency of Herbicides for Weed Control?Maura Gabriela da Silva Brochado0Iara Barbosa Magalhães1Júlia Martins Soares2Alessandro da Costa Lima3Laura Bordignon4Allana Grecco Guedes5Mariana Ramírez Castillo6Kassio Ferreira Mendes7Department of Agronomy, Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa 36570-900, MG, BrazilDepartment of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa 36570-900, MG, BrazilDepartment of Agronomy, Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa 36570-900, MG, BrazilDepartment of Agronomy, Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa 36570-900, MG, BrazilCenter for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture (CENA), University of São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba 13400-970, SP, BrazilDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences, and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, BrazilFaculty of Agricultural Sciences, Agronomy Engineering Student, University of Caldas (UC), Manizales 170004, ColombiaCenter for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture (CENA), University of São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba 13400-970, SP, BrazilThe contamination of agricultural soils by microplastics (MPs) has significant implications for herbicide efficacy and soil health. This study investigates the effects of MPs on critical processes such as the sorption, desorption, and degradation of herbicides, highlighting their influence on these compounds’ mobility, persistence, and bioavailability. MPs interact with herbicides through sorption mechanisms, often reducing the availability of these compounds for weed control by retaining them on their surfaces. This sorption not only limits the immediate efficacy of herbicides but also alters their desorption process, resulting in a prolonged release into the soil environment. Additionally, MPs can inhibit microbial activity involved in herbicide degradation, increasing the time degradation of the half-life of these substances and extending their persistence in the environment. These processes collectively enhance the risks of bioaccumulation and environmental contamination. Understanding these interactions is essential for developing strategies to mitigate the impacts of MPs on herbicide performance and promote sustainable agricultural practices.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8929/3/4/48plastic wasteresidual herbicidespolymerspesticidesaccumulated in soils
spellingShingle Maura Gabriela da Silva Brochado
Iara Barbosa Magalhães
Júlia Martins Soares
Alessandro da Costa Lima
Laura Bordignon
Allana Grecco Guedes
Mariana Ramírez Castillo
Kassio Ferreira Mendes
Does Microplastic Contamination in Agricultural Soils Decrease the Efficiency of Herbicides for Weed Control?
Microplastics
plastic waste
residual herbicides
polymers
pesticides
accumulated in soils
title Does Microplastic Contamination in Agricultural Soils Decrease the Efficiency of Herbicides for Weed Control?
title_full Does Microplastic Contamination in Agricultural Soils Decrease the Efficiency of Herbicides for Weed Control?
title_fullStr Does Microplastic Contamination in Agricultural Soils Decrease the Efficiency of Herbicides for Weed Control?
title_full_unstemmed Does Microplastic Contamination in Agricultural Soils Decrease the Efficiency of Herbicides for Weed Control?
title_short Does Microplastic Contamination in Agricultural Soils Decrease the Efficiency of Herbicides for Weed Control?
title_sort does microplastic contamination in agricultural soils decrease the efficiency of herbicides for weed control
topic plastic waste
residual herbicides
polymers
pesticides
accumulated in soils
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8929/3/4/48
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