Real-field nano/microplastic exposure levels in agricultural environments are largely unknown

Determine environmentally realistic concentrations and exposure levels of nano- and microplastics in agricultural environments (including soils, plants, water, and air) to calibrate laboratory, semi-field, and field ecotoxicological studies for pollinators and biological pest control agents against real-world conditions.

Background

The paper reviews laboratory studies indicating that nano/microplastics (NMP) can cause sublethal physiological and behavioral effects on pollinators, with very limited evidence for pests and biocontrol agents. However, the authors argue that many experimental concentrations may not reflect environmental reality, emphasizing the need to identify actual field exposure levels.

Because detection and quantification of small-sized plastics (<1 µm) in terrestrial matrices are technically challenging, real-world exposure measurements for terrestrial ecosystems, especially agricultural landscapes where pollinators and biocontrol agents operate, remain scarce. Establishing realistic field baselines is necessary to design relevant ecotoxicology experiments and interpret their implications for ecosystem services and food security.