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More and more microplastics are ending up in our soil – and we know very little about the consequences. A study from Nanjing, China, recently made headlines with claims such as "Microplastics threaten our entire food supply". Find out whether this alarming conclusion is justified and what steps are needed to advance microplastics research in the Thünen Fact Check.
The guest:
Dr Elke Brandes is a researcher at the Thünen Institute of Rural Studies. From 2018 to 2022, she conducted research there on the topic of microplastics. Räumen. Von 2018 bis 2022 forschte sie dort zum Thema Mikroplastik.
Dr. rer. nat.
Elke
Brandes
- Phone
- +49 531 2570 1322
- elke.brandes@thuenen.de
Institute of Rural Studies
Weiterführende Links
- The criticised study by scientists from Nanjing, China, warns of massive crop losses due to microplastics. It can be found in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
- Shortly after the publication of the Nanjing study in March 2025, the Science Media Centre Germany asked Dr Elke Brandes for a statement. In October 2025, the science magazine PNAS published her criticisms as a commentary.
- The scientific studies by Dr Elke Brandes and colleagues show where the microplastic hotspots are in German farmland and how computer models can help to record microplastic inputs. (in German)
More information
Moderation: Dr. Katrin Schiedung
Editorial team: Nadine Kraft, Dr. Katrin Schiedung
Kamera: Nadine Zirbes, Stefan Heilek
Cut: Stefan Heilek
We welcome comments and feedback at podcast@thuenen.de
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