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An experiment in Wales revealed how bioplastic mulches do not negatively impact soil organic matter content and have minimal effects on the bacterial community. Photo: F. Kesselring, FKuR Willich Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Germany CC BY-SA 3.0 DE DeedF. Kesselring, FKuR Willich Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Germany CC BY-SA 3.0 DE Deed

Biodegradable mulch sheets don’t reduce soil organic content

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According to a British study, the use of bioplastic biodegradable mulch sheets in agricultural soils increases yields and has no side effects in terms of carbon balance
Since they are particularly exposed to pollutants, hedgehogs provide an environmental footprint of an area's ecosystem. Photo: Charlie Marshall Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedCharlie Marshall Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Many dangerous contaminants in urban green spaces, according to hedgehogs

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Analyzing the remains of hedgehogs, researchers at Lund University found a significant presence of contaminants such as phthalates and polychlorinated biphenyls (PBCs) as well as heavy metals and pesticides
The recovery of organic waste enables the creation of bioproducts of circular origin that help reduce waste while opening up new economic opportunities for many industries. Photo: Denise Nys, Pexels free to useDenise Nys, Pexels free to use

Researchers use circular strategies to turn waste into bioproducts

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The European Biorecer project, which is active in Greece, Italy, Spain and Sweden, aims to create new value chains through the creation of bioproducts based on the circular recovery of organic waste
Worldwide, 18.5 billion tons of often still edible bread, or one-tenth of total production, is wasted every year. Photo: shoehorn99 Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC 2.0 Deedshoehorn99 Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC 2.0 Deed

Solid state fermentation turns waste bread into new protein food

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Scientists at Aberystwyth University have proposed a circular solution for recovering the discarded but still edible bread. With fermentation, nutritional content increases
Microplastics are a dangerous and widespread factor in soil pollution. Photo: Marco Verch CC-BY 2.0Marco Verch CC-BY 2.0

EU 2030 target at risk as microplastics dispersion grows in Europe

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According to the European Environment Agency, between 2016 and 2022, microplastic emissions increased by between 7.5 and 8.6 percent. The targeted 30 percent reduction by the end of the decade appears “unlikely”
PFAS are found in many products such as firefighting foams, paints, pesticides, coatings, and food packaging. Photo: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Public Domain Mark 1.0 Universal PDM 1.0 DeedDefense Visual Information Distribution Service Public Domain Mark 1.0 Universal PDM 1.0 Deed

Cleaning up Europe from PFAS would cost 2 trillion over 20 years

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The estimate is included in an investigation coordinated by the French newspaper Le Monde into the spread of PFAS in the Continent. Producers' lobby under attack
Industrial plastic granules on a beach on the Aquitaine coast. In France, 76 percent of soils surveyed are contaminated with microplastics. Photo: Maldeseine Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 DeedMaldeseine Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed

Three quarters of soils in France contaminated with microplastics

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A study by the Agency for Ecological Transition reveals that 76 percent of soils examined contain microplastics between 0.3 and 5 millimeters in size. Polyethylene is the most prevalent polymer
Tra i bioprodotti, i teli pacciamanti sono tra quelli i cui vantaggi sono più tangibili: diversamente da quelli prodotti in plastica fossile, a fine coltura si possono incorporare nel terreno con una semplice trinciatura e non hanno costi di lavaggio, rimozione e smaltimento.

‘Biodegradable plastics do not impact ecosystems’

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A study in US shows how bioplastics can degrade in an acceptable timeframe and without harming the environment as long as they are disposed of properly
Climate change and increasing pressure from human activities generate an increased release of metals from coasts to oceans. Pickpik Royalty-Free photo

Climate change enhances metal release in coastal areas

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Events such as rising sea levels, increasing temperatures and changes in precipitation affect metal sequestration conditions in underground estuaries, explains a Swedish study
The crystal structure of graphene. Thanks to their many properties, nanomaterials can be used in a variety of applications. Photo: AlexanderAlUS Attribution - Share Alike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 DeedAlexanderAlUS Attribution - Share Alike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed

Nanomaterials offer a solution for groundwater remediation

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A group of Indian researchers used cellulose-coated nano-zerovalent iron particles to successfully clean up chromium-contaminated water