Project Description
The aims of this project are to investigate the occurrence and fate of microplastics (a class of contaminant of emerging concern) in treated sewage sludge (biosolids), and the effects that they may have on soils and crops. This has been done by analysing microplastics in biosolid and agricultural soil receiving biosolids and quantifying the risk associated with these emerging pollutants to terrestrial ecosystems, exposed biota such as plants, soil organisms (earthworms) and soil microorganisms (microbial community).
Project Personnel and Beneficiaries
Water Utilities including South Australia Water, Sydney Water, Queensland Urban Utilities, Water Corporation, and a commercial laboratory (Eurofins Environmental testing) and Department of Environment and Science are involved in this project. The outcomes will directly benefit policymakers (DES) to establish science-based guidelines on wastewater-based microplastics in (which is currently lacking) for conservation and management of cropping land resources. The evaluation of the fate and toxicity of microplastics to soil biota will deliver direct environmental benefits to soil ecosystem and soil organisms caused by microplastics in biosolids. This project will directly transfer academic research into practical outcomes for the industry to inform regulators of biosolids of the most appropriate conditions to support the implementation of evidence-based leading practice. Eurofins will also benefit by establishing them as experts in microplastics analysis.
Outcomes to Date
The findings of analysis of microplastics in biooslid and agricultural soild showed that biooslids contain high concentrations of microplastics (particularly fibres from clothing) that can be transfer billions of microplastics to agriculturals lands annually. Therefore, biosolids are an important sink and source of MPs to agricultural land that highlights the need for establishing policy for microplastics in biooslid. the findings on the fate of microplastics on soil and crops showed that crops can be negativelly affected by microplastic fibres in soil which have reduced their growth and performance . These results are expected to contribute to improved conservation of cropping land against wastewater-based MPs.
Project Significance
This project will provide policy-makers with key information currently missing to establish policies and strategies to manage microplastics for the safe and sustainable management of agricultural lands in Australia. This is also of particular importance to water utilities to ensure that the biosolids they produce are of benefit to agricultural ecosystems as they transition to the circular economy.