Uso delle plastiche in agricoltura: classificazione, caratterizzazione e processi di degradazione nei suoli e nei canali di raccolta delle acque

Plastic in agriculture is frequently used to protect crops and its use boosts output, enhances food quality, minimize water consumption and reduce the environmental impacts of agricultural activities. On the other hand, end-of-life plastic management and disposal are the main issues related to their presence in this kind of environment. In this study, the possibility of using an in situ near infrared (NIR: 1000 - 1700 nm) hyperspectral imaging detection architecture for the recognition of various polymers in agricultural soils, in order to characterize degraded plastics in a recycling perspective, was explored. In more detail, a Partial Least Squares -Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) classifier able of identifying mixed plastics from soil was developed, implemented and set up. Results showed as hyperspectral imaging, in combination with chemometric approaches, allows the utilization of a rapid, non-destructive, and non-invasive analytical approach for characterizing the plastics used in agriculture, as well as the potential assessment of their lifespan.