Mapping of Agricultural Plastics Pollution in Soil: case study of Italy, France and Norway

The widespread use of plastics in agriculture, such as covering films, mulching films and others, has improved food production by protecting crops, extending growing seasons and reducing consumption of water, but has significantly contributed to the accumulation of plastic waste in soil, leading to microplastic contamination. These materials break down over time and microplastics can persist in soil ecosystems, negatively affecting soil health and agricultural productivity. To address this pressing issue, an Atlas for the quantification and localization of Agricultural Plastic Waste (APW) has been developed as a comprehensive tool to evaluate the distribution, dynamics, and potential impacts of agricultural plastics in soil environments by the integration of Plastic Waste Indices (PWI) capable of estimating quantities of APW. This allows advanced mapping techniques (GIS) and extensive data validation from case studies conducted in three different European locations such as Italy, France, and Norway. These countries were chosen for their different climatic conditions and the different use of plastics in agriculture. The findings of this research underscore the urgent need for a robust waste management system to reduce the environmental risks posed by agricultural plastics, safeguard soil health, and ensure the long-term sustainability of agricultural ecosystems.