The studies of microplastics in wine specifically are rather limited, with few researchers focusing on the effects (if any) on wine. However, there have been numerous studies done on the effects of microplastics on agriculture as a whole, which innately includes vineyards. The findings are disturbing, to say the least, and highlight the importance of sustainable living and making an effort to reduce our environmental impact.
The Research
Microplastics are defined as small plastic debris resulting from the disposal and breakdown of consumer products. To qualify as a microplastic, the debris has to be the size of a rice grain or smaller.
Since plastic was produced to be exceptionally resilient, it never decomposes but instead breaks down into these microplastics, and sometimes even into nano plastics which you can barely see with the naked eye.
These plastics have proven to be a problem in our oceans for marine life and many land animals who consume the plastic, causing a blockage in their digestive tract and often causing death. It’s been highlighted as the biggest concern about microplastics, but that was before the research was conducted on agriculture.
The majority of the research done showed that microplastics were found throughout agricultural land in all parts of the world. These microplastics affect several key parts of agriculture, which could lead to severe consequences for the industry as a whole.
Firstly, it was found that microplastics were easily entering the agricultural land by wind and plastic products (like mulch) and even fertilizer used in the plantations. These microplastics are seemingly harmless, just laying on the surface of the soil. However, since most soil is porous, these microplastics seep into the ground. Additionally, the UV-rays further break down these plastics into nano plastics, making it easier to travel through layers of soil.
When the plastics are below the surface, a number of devastating effects occur. Firstly, the chemical compounds of plastics have shown to interact with heavy metals in the soil, causing higher rates of these heavy metals to spread throughout the soil and, of course, soaked up by the plants. There was also evidence that certain toxins that are found in the soil are increased when in contact with plastics.
The most notable toxin is cadmium (commonly found in car tires and batteries). This toxin can have devastating effects when consumed, and it is now increased in the soils where our food is grown in.
Secondly, these plastics are consumed by insects like earthworms, which are vital to the nutrients in the soil. Most of the time, these plastics cause blockages and death in the earthworms, disturbing the entire microbiome and nutrients in the soil.
Worst of all, some studies have found that plants are able to break through the physical barriers of the plant tissue and, thus, cannot be ‘consumed’ by the plant. In actuality, studies have shown that some plastics are entering the plants through cracks in the roots and other areas. That means that as the plants develop the fruits and vegetables, they are laced with microplastics that we end up consuming.
How This Relates To Wine
Considering vineyards experience vastly similar situations to other agricultural produce, the issues run parallel. The fact that plastics enter the soil, disrupt the nutrients, and enter the actual fruit, highlights that there is no escaping microplastics, even in something as innocent as wine.
Other than the fact that these plastics are toxic to consume, there is no telling what this could mean for agriculture in the next few decades. How will this constant disruption of soil nutrients and microbiome affect how agriculture continues. And what will that mean for the wine industry, which is already facing several environmental challenges?
Key Takeaways
In the past, microplastics have been associated with marine life and birds, who have been affected by the increase of plastics. However, the agriculture sector is starting to see an increase in devastating effects due to these plastics.
Microplastics in soil have been shown to impact the quality of the soil and, in turn, the quality of produce.
The wine industry cannot avoid these issues since similar effects will likely be found in the vineyards, impacting the quality of the soil and end products.
While microplastics have always been thought of as a far-away issue, mainly disrupting marine and other animals, studies show that it is hitting much closer to home.
The studies of microplastics in wine specifically are rather limited, with few researchers focusing on the effects (if any) on wine. However, there have been numerous studies done on the effects of microplastics on agriculture as a whole, which innately includes vineyards. The findings are disturbing, to say the least, and highlight the importance of sustainable living and making an effort to reduce our environmental impact.
The studies of microplastics in wine specifically are rather limited, with few researchers focusing on the effects (if any) on wine. However, there have been numerous studies done on the effects of microplastics on agriculture as a whole, which innately includes vineyards. The findings are disturbing, to say the least, and highlight the importance of sustainable living and making an effort to reduce our environmental impact.
The Research
Microplastics are defined as small plastic debris resulting from the disposal and breakdown of consumer products. To qualify as a microplastic, the debris has to be the size of a rice grain or smaller.
Since plastic was produced to be exceptionally resilient, it never decomposes but instead breaks down into these microplastics, and sometimes even into nano plastics which you can barely see with the naked eye.
These plastics have proven to be a problem in our oceans for marine life and many land animals who consume the plastic, causing a blockage in their digestive tract and often causing death. It’s been highlighted as the biggest concern about microplastics, but that was before the research was conducted on agriculture.
The majority of the research done showed that microplastics were found throughout agricultural land in all parts of the world. These microplastics affect several key parts of agriculture, which could lead to severe consequences for the industry as a whole.
Firstly, it was found that microplastics were easily entering the agricultural land by wind and plastic products (like mulch) and even fertilizer used in the plantations. These microplastics are seemingly harmless, just laying on the surface of the soil. However, since most soil is porous, these microplastics seep into the ground. Additionally, the UV-rays further break down these plastics into nano plastics, making it easier to travel through layers of soil.
When the plastics are below the surface, a number of devastating effects occur. Firstly, the chemical compounds of plastics have shown to interact with heavy metals in the soil, causing higher rates of these heavy metals to spread throughout the soil and, of course, soaked up by the plants. There was also evidence that certain toxins that are found in the soil are increased when in contact with plastics.
The most notable toxin is cadmium (commonly found in car tires and batteries). This toxin can have devastating effects when consumed, and it is now increased in the soils where our food is grown in.
Secondly, these plastics are consumed by insects like earthworms, which are vital to the nutrients in the soil. Most of the time, these plastics cause blockages and death in the earthworms, disturbing the entire microbiome and nutrients in the soil.
Worst of all, some studies have found that plants are able to break through the physical barriers of the plant tissue and, thus, cannot be ‘consumed’ by the plant. In actuality, studies have shown that some plastics are entering the plants through cracks in the roots and other areas. That means that as the plants develop the fruits and vegetables, they are laced with microplastics that we end up consuming.
How This Relates To Wine
Considering vineyards experience vastly similar situations to other agricultural produce, the issues run parallel. The fact that plastics enter the soil, disrupt the nutrients, and enter the actual fruit, highlights that there is no escaping microplastics, even in something as innocent as wine.
Other than the fact that these plastics are toxic to consume, there is no telling what this could mean for agriculture in the next few decades. How will this constant disruption of soil nutrients and microbiome affect how agriculture continues. And what will that mean for the wine industry, which is already facing several environmental challenges?
Since plastic was produced to be exceptionally resilient, it never decomposes but instead breaks down into these microplastics, and sometimes even into nano plastics which you can barely see with the naked eye.
Key Takeaways
In the past, microplastics have been associated with marine life and birds, who have been affected by the increase of plastics. However, the agriculture sector is starting to see an increase in devastating effects due to these plastics.
Microplastics in soil have been shown to impact the quality of the soil and, in turn, the quality of produce.
The wine industry cannot avoid these issues since similar effects will likely be found in the vineyards, impacting the quality of the soil and end products.
