Help needed - In search of arable farm which uses sewage sludge application processes

[ellen_s]

I am currently studying environmental science at Kingston University and for my dissertation project I am looking to assess the fate of sewage-sludge/biosolid borne micro plastics in soils. My research has shown that although sewage-sludge is filtered, some microplastics remain. I intend to do this study collecting soil samples from an arable farm which uses sludge-spreading and analysing them with LC-MS to observe the plastic derived dissolved compounds, which will indicate how bioavailable the micro plastics will be to soil biota and plant life when this farming practice is used. I hope this study will shed some light on micro plastics in soil as this topic has been explored widely in marine environments but not so much for terrestrial ones.
My findings will be private but once the dissertation is finished I can certainly share these with you! At this stage I am writing a proposal for this potential study, where I would mention (if applicable) that I have permission to take soil samples from your field and we can have a discussion about the history of your site.
It would be great to work with one of you and get some information about your practices if you’re interested, it would greatly help my studies and think the findings could be really interesting if you’d like to be involved.
Ellen

 

[ellen_s]

If you know anyone who might be interested please feel free to tag them

 

[teslacoils]

Wow. This is exciting. And very much "on topic". I'm sure many will help. Perhaps some more info on your proposal / university privacy policy would be helpful at this stage?

Will you also be taking crop samples to see if the microplastic transfers from soil to crop?

 

[ellen_s]

Wow. This is exciting. And very much "on topic". I'm sure many will help. Perhaps some more info on your proposal / university privacy policy would be helpful at this stage?

Will you also be taking crop samples to see if the microplastic transfers from soil to crop?

Thanks for your response! I am studying at Kingston University which is based in Surrey. Under research and ethics policy all research data is made confidential (the terms can be found here https://www.kingston.ac.uk/research/policies-and-guides/).

By observing how much dissolved plastic-derived organic compounds are in the soil, the analysis will provide us with a bio-indication of how much plastic will be found in plants.

 

[ellen_s]

Thanks for your response! I am studying at Kingston University which is based in Surrey. Under research and ethics policy all research data is made confidential (the terms can be found here https://www.kingston.ac.uk/research/policies-and-guides/).

By observing how much dissolved plastic-derived organic compounds are in the soil, the analysis will provide us with a bio-indication of how much plastic will be found in plants.

But certainly for future works, we could gain some really interesting information by taking crop samples.

 

[teslacoils]

Yes, it's very exciting.......but also potentially very much a problem. I was asking about the policy because noone will want to be identified!

 

[curlietailz]

You may be better asking the sewage sludge companies them selves , or
Or find a Uni Farm that does this ..... there are some U.K. unis who have research farms or links to research farms
Or try the ADHB

private individual farmers may not be wanting their souls put under the microscope....

 

[ellen_s]

You may be better asking the sewage sludge companies them selves , or
Or find a Uni Farm that does this ..... there are some U.K. unis who have research farms or links to research farms
Or try the ADHB

private individual farmers may not be wanting their souls put under the microscope....

Unfortunately so far I haven't been able to find a research link, thank you for those potential contacts though I will explore further! Just to clarify the farm/farmer name will not be disclosed in the paper, so it will only be me and the participant aware of this.