Interdiciplinary research group for environmental studies

PLAST

How does society deal with environmental risks?

The aim of the project is an interdisciplinary investigation of environmental risks through the intensive use of plastics, as well as to contribute to the limitation of risks based on the knowledge gained. Research is required in this field as potential risks haven’t been adequately examined yet. However, a good understanding of the risks and the communication thereof to all stakeholders involved (politics, economy, producers, consumers) are important prerequisites for a responsible and sustainable handling of plastic products.

This objective requires an interdisciplinary scientific collaboration. First of all, natural scientific research is required in order to identify the environmental risks associated with plastic consumption. Our focus here lies on the risks of plastic films in agriculture. Secondly, these risks need to be communicated to the stakeholders involved, usually via media. If and to what extent such communication already exists will be examined through a communication science content analysis study of relevant media.

Thirdly, psychological studies are needed to identify those factors which encourage or hinder producers (e.g. farmers) or consumers (citizens) to act in a conscientious and socio-ecological manner. The cooperation of environmental chemistry, communication science and psychology thus aims at gaining a better understanding of the environmental risks associated with intensive plastic use and to describe the prerequisites for a limitation and/or prevention of these risks based on the insights of communication science and psychology. Finally, guidelines can be developed on how scientific findings can be effectively communicated to diverse social actors.

An interdisciplinary contribution to ecological transformation

Das Projekt ist in drei Teilprojekte gegliedert:

The project is divided in three subprojects:

COMMPLAST

Plastic in the media. Risk assessments and sustainability communication in layperson and expert communication.

Project lead: Prof. Dr. Michaela Maier, Dr. Ines Welzenbach-Vogel

PSYCHOPLAST

Mutual influences between risk assessments, attitudes and behavioral intentions in the direct and indirect use of plastic

Project lead: Prof. Dr. Manfred Schmitt

SOILPLAST – associated subproject

Sustainable preservation of the resource soil: opportunities and risks of intensive use of plastic film covers in strawberry cultivation

Project lead: Prof. Dr. Gabriele Schaumann, Dr. Katherine Muñoz

Publications

2022
  • Heidbreder, L.M., Tröger, J. & Schmitt, M. (2022). Exploring the psychological antecedents of private and public sphere behaviours to reduce household plastic consumption. Environment, Development and Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-022-02186-w
  • Meyer, M., Schaumann, G. E., & Munoz, K. (2022). How does multiannual plastic mulching in strawberry cultivation influence soil fungi and mycotoxin occurrence in soil?. Mycotoxin Research, 38(2), 93-105.
  • Muñoz, K., Thiele-Bruhn, S., Kenngott, K.G.J., Meyer, M., Diehl, D., Steinmetz, Z., Schaumann, G.E. (2022): Effects of Plastic versus Straw Mulching Systems on Soil Microbial Community Structure and Enzymes in Strawberry Cultivation. Soil Systems 6, 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems6010021
  • Perfetti-Bolaño, A., Araneda, A., Muñoz, K., & Barra, R. O. (2022) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in soils and intertidal sediments at Fildes Bay, Maritime Antarctica. Frontiers in Marine Science. 8:774055.doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.774055
  • Steinmetz, Z., Löffler, P., Eichhöfer, S., David, J., Muñoz, K., Schaumann, G.E. (2022): Are agricultural plastic covers a source of plastic debris in soil? A first screening study. SOIL 8, 31–47. https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-31-2022
2021
  • Barkela, B., Werling, K., Filler, S., Heidbreder, L. (2021): Fasting plastic – The role of media reports in a 'window of opportunity' to reduce plastic consumption. Sustainability. 13(21), 11807; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111807
  • Cowger, W., Steinmetz, Z., Gray, A., Munno, K., Lynch, J., Hapich, H., Primpke, S., De Frond, H., Rochman, C., Herodotou, O. (2021): Microplastic Spectral Classification Needs an Open Source Community: Open Specy to the Rescue! Anal. Chem. 93, 7543–7548. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.1c00123
  • Heidbreder, L.M., Lange, M. & Reese, G. (2021). #PlasticFreeJuly – Analyzing a Worldwide Campaign to Reduce Single-use Plastic Consumption with Twitter. Environmental Communication. https://doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2021.1920447
  • Menzel, C., Brom, J., & Heidbreder, L. M. (2021). Explicitly and Implicitly Measured Valence and Risk Attitudes Towards Plastic Packaging, Plastic Waste, and Microplastic in a German Sample. Sustainable Production and Consumption, S2352550921002517. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2021.08.016
  • Meyer, M., Diehl, D., Schaumann, G.E., Muñoz, K. (2021): Agricultural mulching and fungicides—impacts on fungal biomass, mycotoxin occurrence, and soil organic matter decomposition. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 36535–36550. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13280-3
  • Meyer, M., Diehl, D., Schaumann, G.E., Muñoz, K. (2021): Multiannual soil mulching in agriculture: analysis of biogeochemical soil processes under plastic and straw mulches in a 3-year field study in strawberry cultivation. J Soils Sediments. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-021-03037-3
  • Vogel, I. C., Werling, K., Barkela, B., & Milde, J. (2021): Plastics in mass media. A content analysis of German media coverage of plastic-associated risks and sustainable alternatives to plastics. Environmental Communication. https://doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2021.1979618
2020
  • Brandes, E., Braun, M., Rillig, M.C., Leifheit, E.F., Steinmetz, Z., Fiener, P., Thomas, D. (2020): (Mikro-)Plastik im Boden. Bodenschutz 10. https://doi.org/10.37307/j.1868-7741.2020.03.10
  • Heidbreder, L.M. (2019). The influence of morality on private and political behavior involving a reduction in plastic use. BfN-Skript, 529, 65-71.
  • Heidbreder, L.M. & Schmitt, M. (2020). Fasting plastic: an intervention study to break habits of plastic consumption. PsyEcology, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/21711976.2020.1728652
  • Heidbreder, L.M., Bablok, I., Drews, S., & Menzel, C. (2019). Tackling the plastic problem: A review on perceptions, behaviors, and interventions. Science of The Total Environment, 668, 1077–1093.
  • Heidbreder, L.M., Steinhorst, J. & Schmitt, M. (2020). Plastic Free July: An experimental study of limiting and promoting factors in encouraging a reduction of single-use plastic consumption. Sustainability, 12(4698). https://doi.org/10.3390/su12114698
  • Menzel, C. & Heidbreder, L.M (2020). 360° Plastik in Sicht! Wie kann uns eine Kurskorrektur beim Plastikkonsum gelingen? InMind, 2.
  • Meyer, M., Diehl, D., Schaumann, G.E., Muñoz, K. (2020). Analysis of biogeochemical processes in plastic-covered soil during establishment period in strawberry cultivation. SN Appl. Sci. 2, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-020-03528-x
  • Steinmetz, Z., Kintzi, A., Muñoz, K., Schaumann, G.E. (2020). A simple method for the selective quantification of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene plastic debris in soil by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis 147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2020.10480
  • Thomas, D., Schütze, B., Heinze, W.M., Steinmetz, Z. (2020). Sample Preparation Techniques for the Analysis of Microplastics in Soil—A Review. Sustainability 12, 9074. doi.org/10.3390/su12219074
2019
  • David, J., Doležalová Weissmannová, H., Steinmetz, Z., Kabelíková, L., Demyan, M.S., Šimečková, J., Tokarski, D., Siewert, C., Schaumann, G.E., Kučerík, J. (2019): Introducing a soil universal model method (SUMM) and its application for qualitative and quantitative determination of poly(ethylene), poly(styrene), poly(vinyl chloride) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) microplastics in a model soil. Chemosphere 225, 810–819. doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.03.078
    2018
  • David, J., Steinmetz, Z., Kucerik, J., & Schaumann, G. E. (2018). Quantitative Analysis of Poly (ethylene terephthalate) Microplastics in Soil via Thermogravimetry-Mass Spectrometry. Analytical Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.8b00355
  • Schirmel, J., Albert, J., Kurtz, M.P., Muñoz, K. (2018): Plasticulture changes soil invertebrate assemblages of strawberry fields and decreases diversity and soil microbial activity. Applied Soil Ecology 124, 379–393. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2017.11.025
  • 2017
  • Muñoz, K., Buchmann, C., Meyer, M., Schmidt-Heydt, M., Steinmetz, Z., Diehl, D., Thiele-Bruhn, S., Schaumann, G.E. (2017). Physicochemical and microbial soil quality indicators as affected by the agricultural management system in strawberry cultivation using straw or black polyethylene mulching. Appl. Soil Ecol. 113, 36-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2017.01.014.
  • 2016
    Steinmetz Z, Wollmann C, Schaefer M, Buchmann C, David J, Tröger J, Muñoz K, Frör O, Schaumann GE. 2016. Plastic mulching in agriculture. Trading short-term agronomic benefits for long-term soil degradation? Science of The Total Environment 550:690–705. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.01.153.

Presentations

2021
  • Barkela, B., Muñoz, K., Werling, K., Successes and challenges in interdisciplinary research on environmental risks of plastics, 2021, 43rd Annual Association for Interdisciplinary Studies Conference, Cedar City, UT.
  • Meyer M., Diehl D., Schaumann G.E., and Muñoz K.: Agricultural mulching and fungicides – Impacts on fungal biomass and mycotoxin occurrence. 2021. Mycotoxin Workshop (online).
  • Steinmetz Z., Löffler P., Muñoz K., and Schaumann G.E.: Screening for Plastic Debris in Agricultural Soil — an Open Data Approach. 2021. SETAC North America 42nd Annual Meeting (online).
2020
  • Barkela, B., Plastik in den Medien, 2020, Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für Kunststoffe im Landbau, Neustadt/Weinstraße.
    Heibreder, L., Phasen des Wandels - Zwei Interventionsstudien zur Veränderungen von Gewohnheiten beim Plastikkonsum, 2020, Winterschool "Plastik in der Umwelt", Döllnsee.
  • Steinmetz Z., Kintzi A., Muñoz K., and Schaumann G.E.: Solve it! Using 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene and p-xylene to make polyolefin plastic debris amenable to pyrolysis-GC/MS quantification in soil. 2020. SETAC SciCon (online).
  • Steinmetz Z.: Are agricultural plastic covers a source of microplastics in soil? First insights from Pyrolysis-GC/MS method development. 2020. Colloquium of the Institute of Soil Science (University of Hohenheim, Germany).
2019
  • Buchmann B., Steinmetz Z., Brax M., Peth S., and Schaumann G.E.: Effect of matric potential on biohydrogel induced soil microstructural stability and soil water interactions. 2019. Jahrestagung der Bodenkundlichen Gesellschaft der Schweiz und der Deutschen Bodenkundlichen Gesellschaft (Bern, Swiss).
  • Heidbreder, L., Fasting plastic - Intervention studies to break habits of plastic consumption, 2019, ICEP, Plymouth.
  • Heidbreder, L., Plastikkonsum - Wie verändern sich Gewohnheiten?, 2019, DBU-Sommerakademie, Loccum.
  • Meyer M., Diehl D., Muñoz K., and Schaumann G.E.: The influence of plastic coverage on biogeochemical soil processes and mycotoxin occurrence in strawberry cultivation. 2019. Jahrestagung der Bodenkundlichen Gesellschaft der Schweiz und der Deutschen Bodenkundlichen Gesellschaft (Bern, Swiss).
  • Muñoz K., Kurtz M., Schirmel J. Effects of straw- and plasticmulching on soil invertebrate in strawberry crops. 2019. Jahrestagung der Bodenkundlichen Gesellschaft der Schweiz und der Deutschen Bodenkundlichen Gesellschaft (Bern, Swiss).
  • Muñoz K., Meyer M., Schaefer M., Kenngott K., Steinmetz Z., Albert J., Schaumann G.E. Modification of environmental conditions and mycotoxin occurrence in agricultural soils. 2019. SETAC GLB Jahrestagung (Landau, Germany).
  • Heidbreder, L.. Homo moralis - the influence of moral norm and ethical emotions on private and politival intention of a sufficient plastic use, 2018, DGPS-Congress, Frankfurt.
  • Steinmetz Z., Faikhaw O., Kintzi A., David J., Muñoz K., and Schaumann G.E.: Plastikabdeckungen in der Landwirtschaft—Neue Herausforderungen für die Mikroplastikanalytik im Boden. 2019. Jahrestagung der Bodenkundlichen Gesellschaft der Schweiz und der Deutschen Bodenkundlichen Gesellschaft (Bern, Swiss).
  • Tromp C., Muñoz K., Geukers V. Towards an integrated approach for global ‘wicked problems’. 2019. 41rd Annual Association for Interdisciplinary Studies Conference, Amsterdam, Holland
2018
  • Meyer M., Girardi J., and Muñoz K.: Time-dependent response of microbial biomass and soil fungi to fungicide application in plastic and straw mulched soils. 2018. Umwelt 2018 (Münster, Germany).
  • Meyer M., Schaumann G.E., and Muñoz K.: Mycotoxin occurrence under short-term plastic mulching in strawberry cultivation. 2018. Mycotoxin Workshop (München, Germany).
  • Schaefer M., Heidbreder L., Meyer M., Steinmetz Z., Muñoz K., and Milde J.: Project PLAST - Dealing with environmental risks of plastic usage and consumption: An interdisciplinary contribution towards ecological transformation. 2018. Symposium "Plastikmüll: Umweltwirkungen, gesundheitliche Aspekte und Verbraucherverhalten" (Hamburg, Germany).
  • Steinmetz Z., David J., Kučerík J., and Schaumann G.E.: Quantifizierung von Polyethylenterephthalat-Partikeln im Boden mittels Thermogravimetrie–Massenspektrometrie. 2018. Umwelt 2018 (Münster, Germany).
  • Steinmetz Z., Kintzi A., Muñoz K., and Schaumann G.E.: Microplastic Analysis Goes Nano—Quantifizierung von Polyethylen, Polypropylen und Polystyrol im Nanogrammbereich. 2019. SETAC GLB Jahrestagung (Landau, Germany).
  • Steinmetz Z., Meyer M., Schaefer M., Heidbreder L.M., Milde J., Muñoz K., and Schaumann G.E.: SOILPLAST—Nachhaltiger Erhalt der Ressource Boden: Chancen und Risiken der intensiven Verwendung von Plastikfolien in der Landwirtschaft. 2018. Umwelt 2018 (Münster, Germany).
2017
  • Meyer M., Diehl D., Thiele-Bruhn S., Muñoz K., and Schaumann G.E.: Short-term soil response under plastic mulching in strawberry cultivation. 2017. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Bodenkundlichen Gesellschaft (Göttingen, Germany).
  • Meyer M., Diehl D., Thiele-Bruhn S., Muñoz K., and Schaumann G.E.: Short-term effects of plastic mulching on soil quality and mycotoxin occurrence in strawberry cultivation. 2017. SETAC GLB Jahrestagung (Neustadt a.d. W., Germany)
  • Muñoz K., Schmidt-Heydt M., Meyer M., Diehl D., Thiele-Bruhn S., and Schaumann G.E.: Modification of environmental conditions as a risk factor for mycotoxin residual contamination in agricultural soils. 2017. Mycotoxin Workshop (Bydgoszcz, Poland).
  • Muñoz K., Thiele-Bruhn S., Diehl D., Meyer M., Buchmann C., Steinmetz Z., Schmidt-Heydt M., Schaumann G.E. Shift of microbial communities and reduced enzymatic activity in soil under plastic mulching system in strawberry cultivation. 2017. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Bodenkundlichen Gesellschaft (Göttingen, Germany).
2016
  • David J., Steinmetz Z., Kučerík J., and Schaumann G.E.: Pilot tests of determination of microplastic particles in solid environmental matrices via thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry. 2016. Microplastic in the Aquatic Environment (Haltern am See, Germany).