Federal Grant Award Summary

Oklahoma State University received a $853,610 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Program (CFDA 10.310), awarded March 1, 2026, with completion scheduled for February 28, 2029. The research project investigates the impact of microplastics contained in biosolids (treated sewage sludge used as fertilizer) on soil health and carbon cycling. The primary deliverables include laboratory analyses to characterize microplastic movement and degradation pathways through soil, assessments of microplastic potential to alter soil carbon release rates, and field-scale evaluations of microplastic effects on soil health. The research employs integrated analytical chemistry, advanced imaging techniques, and controlled agricultural field studies to generate evidence-based data for farmers, land managers, and government regulators regarding the long-term safety and sustainability of using recycled biosolids as fertilizers.

The project addresses a critical gap in understanding how UV-degraded microplastics in agricultural biosolids affect fundamental soil processes, particularly carbon storage and release mechanisms essential for crop productivity. By combining laboratory and field methodologies, the research will establish whether varying amounts and types of plastic in biosolid-based fertilizers alter soil carbon transformation rates, ultimately providing stakeholders with the scientific foundation necessary to ensure continued safe application of recycled fertilizers in agricultural systems.