UROP Project

Assessment of toxicity resulting from plastic mulches and adherent pesticides on soil fauna

The project is embedded in the project iMulch, which investigates the effects of agricultural mulch films on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Plastic and especially microplastic have gained a lot of attention in ecotoxicology, however mostly considering aquatic systems. Terrestrial ecosystems are insufficiently investigated concerning their (micro-)plastic burden, which can impede organisms like earthworm or collembola through internal injuries, release of toxic substances, constipation etc. Further (micro-)plastics can absorb lipophilic substances from the environment, such as applied pesticides, and act as carrier of those substances into the animals. In this internship, we want to focus on behavioural changes of earthworm/collembola resulting from exposition to mulch film (micro-)plastic with and without adherent pesticides.

Task

Execution of ecotoxicological tests with earthworm and/or collembola, preparation of samples and dilutions, controlling exposition parameters, statistical assessment and evaluation of test results

Requirements

Knowledge about ethics in laboratory work, basics in laboratory work