Tire wear particles (TWP) account for ~60% of microplastic emissions in Central Europe and are a major global change driver due to their persistence, chemical additives, heavy metals, and potential to disrupt soil processes, crop health, and food production. Despite their widespread occurrence, TWP impacts on the crop–soil system and underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Most studies examine isolated components of the soil system and use freshly generated TWP, whereas road-emitted particles age, altering their physical and chemical properties and environmental effects over time.
In Workpackage 1 (WP1), fresh and soil-aged TWP are compared to assess age-dependent changes in particle size, shape, surface, chemical composition, and additive leaching, and their effects on crop–soil interactions. Workpackage 2 (WP2) investigates TWP impacts on soil and the N cycle under varying TWP concentrations and N-deposition levels, integrating microbial, biochemical, and plant responses. Metagenomics, transcriptomics, and N-cycling enzyme analyses will reveal direct and microbially mediated effects on crop development, nutrition, and health. Workpackage 3 (WP3) uses an inverse stable ⁶⁷Zn isotope approach to trace TWP-derived Zinc in soils and crops, distinguishing it from natural soil Zinc pools.
By combining advanced chemical, biological, and molecular analyses, this project provides a holistic assessment of TWP impacts on agroecosystem functioning and informs risk evaluation and strategies for sustainable food production.
Project Manager
