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Project properties |
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| Title | TITLE: Microplastics as carriers of pesticides, from soil to earthworms approach. |
| Group | Soil Physics and Land Management group |
| Project type | thesis |
| Credits | 24-39 |
| Supervisor(s) | Esperanza Huerta and Vera de Silva |
| Examiner(s) | Coen Ritsema |
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| Begin date | 2020/02/09 |
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| Description | Problem context
Microplastics (particles less than 5mm) are emerging contaminants as they are persistent, can reach high densities and interact with abiotic and biotic environments. However, they have been studied almost exclusively in marine ecosystems. Hence, there is a critical lack of understanding of their fate and accumulation as well as their ecotoxicological impacts on soils. Also, their role as a vector of pesticides to soil biota has been vaguely explored. To contribute to overcome these gaps, earthworms will be exposed to microplastics, either as pristine or contaminated with a pesticide. Several parameters will be assessed in the earthworms, including distinct biomarkers and behavior. Research Objective/Questions: are microplastics carriers of pesticides in the terrestrial environment? Are earthworms polluted with pesticides due to the presence of microplastics? What is expected from the student (type of research): We are looking for a student to carry out laboratory tests, being responsible for assays monitorization and biochemical assays. |
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