Soil enzymatic activity is fundamental to soil health and effective long-term agriculture

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Lincoln University $599,996 on January 1, 2026, under the 1890 Institution Capacity Building Grants program (CFDA 10.216) to evaluate the impacts of silver nanoparticles and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on soil enzyme activity and to develop mitigation methodologies using thiol-functionalized biochar. The project encompasses enzymological assays and advanced metabolomic analysis of eight soil enzymes, with work performed in Jefferson City, Missouri, through December 31, 2028. Lincoln University, a historically Black 1890 Land-Grant Institution, will produce data-based knowledge of contaminant impacts on soil enzymes, cost-effective mitigation solutions deployable to agricultural communities, and dissemination of developed methods to growers and farmers in Missouri and beyond. The project outcomes are intended to strengthen the institution's research and extension capacities and enhance student training in agricultural science and soil management.

Recent widespread use of engineered nanoparticles (enps) and common habitat occurrence of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has raised significant public concerns on the adverse effects of such contaminants of emerging concerns (cecs). The vast application of silver nanoparticles (agnps)-containing pesticides and wide exposure of agricultural soils to PFAS contaminated irrigation water and biosolid poses substantial risks to soil health in agricultural settings. The goal of this proposed project is to comprehensively evaluate the impacts of agnps and two most prevalent PFAS compounds on the activities of eight soil enzymes via enzymological assays and advanced metabolomic analysis and to develop innovative mitigation methodologies based on thiolfunctionalized biochar. Successful implementation of this project will have significant impacts on soil management and effective long-term agriculture in missouri and beyond. Expected outcomes include data-based knowledge of cecs impacts on soil enzymes, cost-effective/deployable mitigation solutions and dissemination of developed methods to growers and farmers in agricultural communities. The outcomes of this project will help the leading 1890 institute (lincoln university of missouri) strengthen its research and extension capacities and boost the training of students thereby contributing to skilled-enhanced workforce.