<div><p><strong>Mulching films used in agriculture gradually break down and can become a significant source of microplastics in soils. A new study shows that these particles affect not only soil structure but also microbial life and nitrogen cycling.</strong></p><p><i>“We wanted to understand how microplastics from both conventional and biodegradable mulching films influence soil properties, microbial diversity and functions in real conditions,”</i> explains <strong>Klára Šmídová</strong>, the study’s co-author . <i>“That’s why we added realistic amounts of microplastics to soils in experimental plots in Finland, Germany, and Spain, monitored them over two growing seasons, and compared them with the control plots.”</i></p><p>The results revealed that microplastics alter soil characteristics and microbial communities, although not always in the same way. <i>“ However, a consistent finding was the decline in microbial activity associated with key processes, including nitrogen cycling, with negative effects increasing at higher microplastic concentrations and becoming more pronounced in the second year,” </i>Šmídová adds. Because the microplastic levels used in the study reflect amounts already found in European soils, the findings highlight real risks to soil health. <i>“We also found that the effects were stronger in southern than in northern Europe, likely due to differences in climate and soil conditions. This means that protecting soils from plastic pollution will require region-specific risk assessments,”</i> she says.</p><p>Over 60% of European soils are estimated to be unhealthy, with ongoing degradation driven by unsustainable land use, contamination, climate change, and extreme weather events. In response, the EU Parliament adopted the Soil Monitoring Law in October 2025, aiming to achieve healthy soils across Europe by 2050. <i>“The law highlights the role of soil health in food security, water quality, and climate objectives, and establishes consistent soil monitoring across Member States. It includes measures to support farmers and foresters, while also creating a public list of potentially contaminated sites and an indicative watch list of emerging soil contaminants,” </i>explains Klára Šmídová.</p><p>The project brought together 19 research groups across Europe. <i>“After each season, hundreds of samples were colle cted and sent to partners for analysis. This paper focuses on soil properties, microbial diversity, and greenhouse gas emissions. Two more manuscripts—on plastic additives and microplastic fate, and on soil invertebrates—are in preparation. Together, they will give us a complete picture of how agricultural microplastics affect soil ecosystems,” </i>concludes Klára Šmídová.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/RECETOX_Vysledky_nove_studie_ukazaly_ze_mikroplasty_meni_vlastnosti_pudy_a_mikrobialni_spolecenstva_i_v_realnych_podminkach_6ee3413a7b.jpg" alt="RECETOX: New Study Reveals How Agricultural Plastics Impact Soil Health In Real Conditions" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_RECETOX_Vysledky_nove_studie_ukazaly_ze_mikroplasty_meni_vlastnosti_pudy_a_mikrobialni_spolecenstva_i_v_realnych_podminkach_6ee3413a7b.jpg 171w," sizes="100vw" width="738" height="674"></p><blockquote><h4><strong>The Original article</strong></h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749125015866?via%3Dihub#sec2"><span><strong>Conventional and biodegradable agricultural microplastics: effects on soil properties and microbial functions across a European pedoclimatic gradient</strong></span></a></h4><p>Šmídová K., Soinne H., Kim S. W., Tirronniemi J., Meffe R., Redondo-Hasselerharm P. E., Braun M., Rillig M. C., Fritze H., Adamczyk B., Nikama J., Kaseva J., Saartama V., Amelung W., Hurley R., Hofman J., Nizzetto L., Selonen S., Velmala S.</p><p>Environ. Pollut. 386 (2025) 127212</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127212">10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127212</a></p><h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"><strong>CC-BY 4.0</strong></a></h6></blockquote><h4><strong>Abstract</strong></h4><div><p>Agricultural plastics like mulching films may become a major source of microplastic (MP) soil contamination during their degradation and fragmentation. This study investigates the effects of agricultural MPs from conventional (linear low-density polyethylene, PE) and biodegradable (starch-blended polybutylene adipate co-terephthalate, PBAT-BD) mulching films on soil physicochemical properties, aggregation, microbial diversity and functions, litter decomposition, and greenhouse gases emissions (GHG). For this purpose, MPs were mixed into soils at realistic MP concentrations of 0.005&nbsp;% and 0.05&nbsp;% (w/w) in 2022 on experimental plots in three EU countries representing different pedoclimatic conditions (Finland, Germany and Spain), followed by monitoring of the above-mentioned variables in the subsequent growing seasons 2022 and 2023. We found several significant MP-induced effects for soil properties, aggregation, microbial diversity, litter decomposition, and GHG, but the effect endpoints were less pronounced or varied considerably. Contrarily, microbial activity, contributing to soil functions such as nitrogen cycling, was consistently reduced by both conventional and biodegradable MPs. The reductions were more pronounced after the second season and for the higher MP treatment. As the higher MP concentration (i.e., 0.05&nbsp;% w/w) is environmentally relevant in Europe, our findings emphasize the potential effects of environmentally relevant MP concentrations on soil health. Furthermore, the effects increased from north to south, probably modulated by varying pedoclimatic conditions, inducing reflection of a need for regionally tailored risk</p></div></div>

New Study Reveals How Agricultural Plastics Impact Soil Health In Real Conditions

<h3><strong>Charged for Action: The Hidden Secrets of AEX Oligonucleotide Analysis</strong></h3><p><strong>Oligonucleotides—short, well-defined fragments of DNA or RNA—have become indispensable tools in modern life sciences. They underpin cutting-edge applications in molecular diagnostics, gene therapy, and pharmaceutical development. Before oligonucleotides can be confidently used in research or clinical settings, however, their quality must be rigorously assessed. Purity, sequence integrity, length distribution, and chemical modifications all play a decisive role in their performance.</strong></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_Oligos_Made_Easy_Part_2_AEX_2_45eee54fa0.jpg" alt="KNAUER: Oligos Made Easy - Part 2: AEX" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_Oligos_Made_Easy_Part_2_AEX_2_45eee54fa0.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1534" height="711"></p><p>Among the analytical techniques available today, <strong>anion exchange chromatography (AEX)</strong> stands out as a robust and highly informative method for characterizing oligonucleotides. By exploiting their intrinsic negative charge, AEX provides detailed insight into product composition and impurity profiles that are difficult to obtain by other approaches.</p><blockquote><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/article/6808"><strong>Part 1 of the Oligos series: A Practical Guide to Oligonucleotide Production – From Concept to Final Product</strong></a></p></blockquote><h4><strong>How Scientists Read Oligonucleotides Using Charge</strong></h4><p>At the core of AEX lies a simple but powerful principle: oligonucleotides carry a negatively charged phosphate backbone. This charge increases in a predictable way with strand length and, to a lesser extent, sequence composition. Anion exchange chromatography uses this property to separate oligonucleotides based on differences in charge strength and interaction with a positively charged stationary phase.</p><p>As a result, AEX has become one of the most widely used analytical tools for evaluating oligonucleotide quality. It allows scientists to distinguish full-length products from truncated species, degradation products, or closely related variants—often with single-nucleotide resolution.</p><h4><strong>Why Ion Exchange Works: Binding, Retention, and Release</strong></h4><p>Ion exchange chromatography (IEX) relies on electrostatic interactions between analytes and a charged stationary phase. In the case of oligonucleotides, <strong>anion exchange</strong> is used, where negatively charged molecules interact with positively charged functional groups on the resin—most commonly quaternary amines.</p><p>The system consists of two main components:</p><ul><li><strong>Stationary phase:</strong> A positively charged resin that binds anionic analytes.</li><li><strong>Mobile phase:</strong> An aqueous buffer system, typically combined with a salt gradient, that controls both pH and elution strength.</li></ul><p>Retention in AEX is governed primarily by charge. Molecules with weaker overall charge interact less strongly with the stationary phase and elute earlier, while more highly charged oligonucleotides bind more tightly and require stronger elution conditions.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_Oligos_Made_Easy_Part_2_AEX_Figure_1_IEX_overview_including_elution_order_dependency_on_analyte_charge_3419ad3075.jpg" alt="KNAUER: Oligos Made Easy - Part 2 AEX: Figure 1 IEX overview including elution order dependency on analyte charge." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_Oligos_Made_Easy_Part_2_AEX_Figure_1_IEX_overview_including_elution_order_dependency_on_analyte_charge_3419ad3075.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1583" height="654"></p><h4><strong>The Five-Step Workflow of Ion Exchange Chromatography</strong></h4><p>AEX separations generally follow a well-established sequence of steps:</p><ol><li><strong>Column equilibration</strong><br>The column is conditioned with the starting buffer until the baseline and pH are stable. This ensures that all charged sites on the resin are ready for interaction.</li><li><strong>Sample loading</strong><br>Samples, prepared in the starting buffer, are introduced under conditions that promote binding of the target oligonucleotides while minimizing retention of unwanted impurities.</li><li><strong>Washing</strong><br>The column is washed with the starting buffer to remove uncharged or weakly interacting components. The baseline stabilizes as these species are flushed away.</li><li><strong>Elution</strong><br>Bound oligonucleotides are released using a salt or pH gradient. Increasing ionic strength introduces competing ions that displace the analytes from the resin. Weakly bound species elute first; strongly charged oligonucleotides elute later.</li><li><strong>Regeneration and re-equilibration</strong><br>A high-salt buffer removes any remaining bound material. The column is then returned to starting conditions in preparation for the next analysis.</li></ol><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_Oligos_Made_Easy_Part_2_AEX_Figure_2_Five_steps_of_IEX_procedure_in_blue_outlined_using_an_example_chromatogram_in_red_38dd70b1b1.jpg" alt="KNAUER: Oligos Made Easy - Part 2 AEX: Figure 2  Five steps of IEX procedure (in blue), outlined using an example chromatogram (in red)." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_Oligos_Made_Easy_Part_2_AEX_Figure_2_Five_steps_of_IEX_procedure_in_blue_outlined_using_an_example_chromatogram_in_red_38dd70b1b1.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1583" height="674"></p><h4><strong>Why AEX Is Especially Effective for Oligonucleotides</strong></h4><p>The repeating phosphate backbone of oligonucleotides gives rise to a strong and uniform anionic character across a wide pH range (typically pH 7–9). This makes oligonucleotides exceptionally well suited for anion exchange separations.</p><p>Key factors influencing AEX behavior include:</p><ul><li><strong>Charge density:</strong> Longer oligonucleotides carry more negative charges and therefore exhibit stronger retention.</li><li><strong>Resin chemistry:</strong> Strong and weak anion exchangers differ in functional groups and pH stability, influencing selectivity and robustness.</li><li><strong>Buffer composition:</strong> The choice of buffering ions and salt gradients directly affects elution strength and resolution.</li></ul><p>Salt gradients—commonly based on chloride ions—compete with the oligonucleotide backbone for binding sites on the resin. By carefully tuning gradient slope and composition, analysts can achieve highly reproducible and finely resolved separations.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_Oligos_Made_Easy_Part_2_AEX_Figure_3_Ionic_interactions_and_p_H_influence_on_Anion_Exchange_Chromatography_AEX_612e231ba4.jpg" alt="KNAUER: Oligos Made Easy - Part 2 AEX: Figure 3 Ionic interactions and pH influence on Anion Exchange Chromatography (AEX)." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_Oligos_Made_Easy_Part_2_AEX_Figure_3_Ionic_interactions_and_p_H_influence_on_Anion_Exchange_Chromatography_AEX_612e231ba4.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1547" height="593"></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_Oligos_Made_Easy_Part_2_AEX_Figure_4_AEX_buffer_selection_and_gradient_strategy_chromatogram_with_red_buffer_gradient_curve_53fd1bb11b.jpg" alt="KNAUER: Oligos Made Easy - Part 2 AEX: Figure 4 AEX buffer selection and gradient strategy (chromatogram with red buffer gradient curve)." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_Oligos_Made_Easy_Part_2_AEX_Figure_4_AEX_buffer_selection_and_gradient_strategy_chromatogram_with_red_buffer_gradient_curve_53fd1bb11b.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="327"></p><h4><strong>AEX as the Gold Standard for Oligonucleotide Separation</strong></h4><p>Anion exchange chromatography has become the method of choice for both analytical and preparative oligonucleotide workflows. Its advantages include:</p><ul><li><strong>High resolving power:</strong> Closely related impurities, including n–1 or n–2 species, can often be separated and quantified.</li><li><strong>Predictable retention behavior:</strong> In many cases, retention time correlates linearly with oligonucleotide length, simplifying identification.</li><li><strong>Compatibility with modified oligonucleotides:</strong> Even chemically modified sequences retain their anionic nature, allowing AEX to resolve both products and related impurities.</li><li><strong>Excellent control via gradient elution:</strong> Salt gradients provide precise tuning of selectivity and resolution.</li></ul><p>Typically, shorter or degraded oligonucleotides elute at lower ionic strength, while full-length products with higher charge density appear later in the chromatogram.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_Oligos_Made_Easy_Part_2_AEX_Figure_5_AEX_Advantages_and_Challenges_7835521e34.jpg" alt="KNAUER: Oligos Made Easy - Part 2 AEX: Figure 5 AEX Advantages and Challenges." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_Oligos_Made_Easy_Part_2_AEX_Figure_5_AEX_Advantages_and_Challenges_7835521e34.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1535" height="707"></p><h4><strong>Final Perspective: Mastering AEX with Confidence</strong></h4><p>Anion exchange chromatography may appear complex at first, but with thoughtful optimization of pH, buffer composition, and gradient conditions, it becomes a highly precise and reliable tool for oligonucleotide analysis. When properly applied, AEX delivers sharp peaks, excellent resolution, and robust performance—even for challenging sequences and modifications.</p><p>For laboratories developing or refining oligonucleotide workflows, AEX offers both analytical depth and operational confidence.</p><blockquote><p>If you would like to discuss AEX method development or optimization for oligonucleotides, feel free to contact us at <strong>sales@knauer.net</strong>. More insights into practical oligonucleotide analysis will follow in our <i>“Oligos Made Easy”</i> series.</p><p>For technical questions or in-depth discussion, the author can be reached at <strong>kindler@knauer.net</strong></p></blockquote>

Oligos Made Easy - Part 2: AEX

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RECETOX (Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment) is an independent department of the Faculty of Science of Masaryk University in Brno, which has been established in 1983. RECETOX is focused on the research and education in cross-cutting area of Environment and Health. It addresses interactions among chemicals, environment, and biological systems, including consequences at local, regional, and global levels.

RECETOX - Centrum pro výzkum toxických látek v prostředí

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Based in Berlin, KNAUER is a medium-sized, owner-managed company that has been serving the sciences since 1962. We develop and manufacture scientific instruments of superior quality for liquid chromatography, including: Analytical HPLC/UHPLC, Preparative HPLC, Fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC), Multi-column chromatography/Simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography. High pressure dosing, in-line detection systems, and osmometry are additional business areas.

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Thermo Scientific Syncronis C18 HPLC Columns

Attain repeatable and consistent LC separations for your scale up purification needs with Thermo Scientific™ Syncronis™ C18 reversed phase preparative HPLC columns. 

<p><strong>Attain repeatable and consistent LC separations for your scale up purification needs with Thermo Scientific™ Syncronis™ C18 reversed phase preparative HPLC columns. These preparative HPLC columns have extremely pure, high surface area silica with dense stationary phase coverage to minimize secondary interactions and ensure robust, high-resolution separations. Double endcapping provides additional surface coverage and inertness toward basic compounds. Columns come in a variety of dimensions and an option for XtendedLife hardware which improves column lifetime by maintaining a uniform packed bed.</strong></p><h5><strong>Highly Reproducible Separations</strong></h5><ul><li>Rigorously tested stationary phase bonded to the highest quality silica ensures consistent, predictable LC performance.</li></ul><h5><strong>Enhanced Resolution and Sensitivity</strong></h5><ul><li>Dense surface coverage of silica minimizes secondary interactions and peak tailing.</li><li>Double endcapped for extra surface coverage.<br>C18 (USP L1) selectivity.</li></ul><p><strong>Preparative HPLC Column Hardware Options</strong> - based on column inner diameter (i.d.) and column performance needs.</p><h5><strong>Standard Threaded and Standard Flange Hardware</strong></h5><ul><li>Designed for standard applications, expertly packed and robustly designed to provide versatile products for routine use.</li><li>Standard threaded hardware for column i.d. &lt; 40mm.</li><li>Standard flange hardware for column i.d. ≥ 40mm.</li><li>Standard hardware can be modified on request to be compatible with SFC.</li></ul><h5><strong>XtendedLife Hardware</strong></h5><ul><li>Improves column lifetime by incorporating an internal Dynamic Axial Compression (DAC) system, ensuring the media bed is continuously packed tightly.</li><li>Compatible with SFC and is available in dimensions up to 50mm i.d.</li></ul><p>Preparative Guards are a proven and cost effective way to extend the lifetime of your prep column. Our preparative guard columns require the use of a preparative guard holder.</p><h5><strong>Customer Specific Orders</strong></h5><p>If there is a Thermo Scientific stationary phase you are currently using and would like to obtain in a preparative scale not shown or would like to discuss a specific column dimension, we would be happy to discuss your requirements.<br>Please contact your local sales representative for Customer Specific Orders.<br>Custom built columns are not eligible for returns.</p><h4><strong>Specifications</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Column type:</strong> Reversed Phase</li><li><strong>Endcapped:</strong> yes</li><li><strong>Max. Pressure:</strong> 4300 psi (295 bar)</li><li><strong>Packing Material:</strong> Spherical, Fully Porous, Ultrapure Silica</li><li><strong>Stationary phase:</strong> C18</li><li><strong>USP Type:</strong> L1</li><li><strong>Surface Area:</strong> 320 m<sup>2</sup>/g</li><li><strong>Temperature:</strong> 60°C</li><li><strong>Carbon load: </strong>16%</li><li><strong>Phase:</strong> Reversed Phase</li><li><strong>Pore Size: </strong>100 Å</li><li><strong>pH: </strong>2 to 9</li></ul><h4><strong>Syncronis HPLC and UHPLC Columns</strong></h4><h5><strong>Enter a new world of chromatography</strong></h5><p>When developing a new method, one of the most important goals for the chromatographer is to achieve a consistent, reproducible separation. This makes selecting an HPLC column that offers highly-reproducible results essential to attaining this goal.</p><h5><strong>Features of Syncronis columns</strong></h5><p>Thermo Scientific Syncronis LC columns achieve high levels of consistency and reproducibility through:</p><ul><li>Highly-pure, high-surface-area silica</li><li>Dense bonding and double endcapping</li><li>Stringent manufacturing and testing protocols</li></ul>

Thermo Scientific Syncronis PREP HILIC HPLC Columns

Maintain consistent, predictable separations for your scale up purification needs with Thermo Scientific™ Syncronis™ HILIC preparative HPLC columns for polar and hydrophilic analytes.

<p><strong>Maintain consistent, predictable separations for your scale up purification needs with Thermo Scientific™ Syncronis™ HILIC preparative HPLC columns for polar and hydrophilic analytes. Highly pure, high surface area silica and dense stationary phase coverage minimize secondary interactions and deliver reproducible high-resolution separations.&nbsp;</strong></p><p>The zwitterionic stationary phase results in a neutral, highly polar surface and provides optional selectivity to C18 columns without ion-pairing or derivatization. Our columns come in a wide range of dimensions and an option for XtendedLife hardware which improves column lifetime by maintaining a uniform packed bed.</p><h5><strong>Alternative Selectivity</strong></h5><ul><li>Zwitterionic bonded phase enhances retention of polar and hydrophilic analytes.</li><li>No need for ion-pair or derivatization.</li><li>Enhanced sensitivity with MS detection.</li><li>Highly organic mobile phase facilitates desolvation in ESI-MS</li></ul><p><strong>Preparative HPLC Column Hardware Options</strong> - based on column inner diameter (i.d.) and column performance needs.</p><h5><strong>Standard Threaded and Standard Flange Hardware</strong></h5><ul><li>Designed for standard applications, expertly packed and robustly designed to provide versatile products for routine use.</li><li>Standard threaded hardware for column i.d. &lt; 40mm.</li><li>Standard flange hardware for column i.d. ≥ 40mm.</li><li>Standard hardware can be modified on request to be compatible with SFC.</li></ul><h5><strong>XtendedLife Hardware</strong></h5><ul><li>Improves column lifetime by incorporating an internal Dynamic Axial Compression (DAC) system, ensuring the media bed is continuously packed tightly.</li><li>Compatible with SFC and is available in dimensions up to 50mm i.d.</li></ul><p>Preparative Guards are a proven and cost effective way to extend the lifetime of your prep column. Our preparative guard columns require the use of a preparative guard holder.</p><h4><strong>Specifications</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Column type:</strong> HILIC</li><li><strong>Endcapped:</strong> No</li><li><strong>Max. Pressure:</strong> 2000 psi (140 bar)</li><li><strong>Packing Material:</strong> Spherical, Fully Porous, Ultrapure Silica</li><li><strong>Stationary phase:</strong> Zwitterionic</li><li><strong>Surface Area:</strong> 320 m<sup>2</sup>/g</li><li><strong>Temperature:</strong> 60°C</li><li><strong>Carbon load: </strong>5%</li><li><strong>Phase:</strong> HILIC</li><li><strong>Pore Size: </strong>100 Å</li><li><strong>pH: </strong>2 to 8</li></ul><h4><strong>Syncronis HPLC and UHPLC Columns</strong></h4><h5><strong>Enter a new world of chromatography</strong></h5><p>When developing a new method, one of the most important goals for the chromatographer is to achieve a consistent, reproducible separation. This makes selecting an HPLC column that offers highly-reproducible results essential to attaining this goal.</p><h5><strong>Features of Syncronis columns</strong></h5><p>Thermo Scientific Syncronis LC columns achieve high levels of consistency and reproducibility through:</p><ul><li>Highly-pure, high-surface-area silica</li><li>Dense bonding and double endcapping</li><li>Stringent manufacturing and testing protocols</li></ul>

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