We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Soil contamination with micro- and nanoplastics: environmental risks, challenges, and consequences for agroecosystems and agriculture
Summary
This review examines the mechanisms, distribution pathways, and ecological consequences of micro- and nanoplastic contamination in agricultural soils, detailing impacts on soil structure, biodiversity, food chains, and crop productivity.
Soil contamination with microplastics and nanoplastics is an escalating environmental issue that significantly impacts agroecosystems, soil properties, biodiversity, the food chain, the agricultural sector, and farming. This publication examines the main sources, mechanisms of distribution, long-term consequences, and potential risks to the environment, agricultural productivity, and human health. Pollution caused by microplastics and nanoplastics can lead to alterations in soil structure, reduced water retention capacity, and disruptions in microbial balance, which affect crop yields and the quality of agricultural production. Additionally, these particles can be absorbed by plants and accumulate in the food chain, posing potential risks to livestock and human health.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics in agroecosystems: A review of effects on soil biota and key soil functions
This review examines how microplastic and nanoplastic contamination in agricultural soils affects soil organisms and ecological functions. Researchers found that plastics enter farmland through multiple pathways including plastic mulch, sewage sludge, and irrigation water, and once present they alter soil properties and exhibit toxic behavior toward soil biota. The study identifies significant knowledge gaps about the long-term impacts of microplastic accumulation on agricultural productivity and food safety.
Micro/Nanoplastics in Agricultural Soils and Associated Hazard
This review surveys the sources, distribution, and hazards of micro- and nanoplastics in agricultural soils, with particular attention to how MPs interact with soil organisms, alter nutrient availability, and accumulate in crops in ways that threaten both soil health and food safety.
Nanoplastics in the soil environment: Analytical methods, occurrence, fate and ecological implications
This review covered analytical methods, occurrence data, environmental fate, and ecotoxicological effects of nanoplastics in soils, finding that nanoplastics can alter soil chemistry, physical structure, and biota in ways that threaten both natural and agricultural ecosystem functions. The authors identify standardization of nanoplastic detection in soil as a critical research gap.
Hazards Associated with Micro/Nano Plastics in Agricultural Soils
This review examines the hazards of micro- and nanoplastic contamination in agricultural soils, where plastics enter through mulching films, irrigation with contaminated water, and fertilizer application. The authors discuss how these particles can alter soil structure, affect microbial communities, and potentially transfer into crops that humans consume. The study highlights that agricultural soil contamination with microplastics is an underrecognized risk to both ecosystem health and food safety.
Sources, pollution, and ecological impacts of soil microplastics-A review
A comprehensive review summarized the sources, distribution, and ecological impacts of microplastics in soil environments, synthesizing evidence on how plastics affect soil organisms, structure, and agricultural productivity. The review calls for urgent policy action to address soil microplastic contamination as a threat to food security.