Coexistence of Microplastics and Foramsulfuron in Agricultural Soils Treated with a Digestate: Effects on Herbicide Persistence and Soil Functionality

Summary

Farmers sometimes use "digestate" (a byproduct of composting food and farm waste) as a natural fertilizer, but this study found it can also introduce tiny plastic particles (microplastics) into soil. These microplastics can bind to weed-killing chemicals already in the soil, potentially changing how long the chemicals stick around and affecting overall soil health. Since our food grows in this soil, understanding how microplastics interact with farm chemicals matters for figuring out what might end up in our crops—and eventually our bodies.