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Soil Microplastic Pollution Across Terrestrial Ecosystems: A Review of Sources, Distribution Patterns, Polymer Types and Environmental Implications
Summary
Tiny plastic bits from things like farm mulch, car tires, and trash are building up in soil everywhere—farms, cities, and even forests—and the smallest pieces can sink deep into the ground where they're more likely to be taken up by plants and soil organisms. This matters for us because these plastics can enter the food we grow, and this review (a summary of many existing studies) shows scientists still don't fully understand the long-term health and environmental risks, meaning better plastic recycling and management are urgently needed.
The present study investigates the presence, sources, and impacts of microplastics (MPs) in different soil types, including agricultural, urban, and forest areas, through a synthesis of results of published scientific papers. MPs originate from a variety of human activities, such as the widespread use of plastic mulch in agriculture and the application of organic fertilizers and treated sewage sludge, as well as from vehicle tire wear, industrial processes, and the gradual degradation of plastic products in the environment. In urban soils, the main sources of MPs are related to road traffic, industrial activity, and landfills, while in forest soils, concentrations are generally lower. However, MPs in forest areas are thought to be carried there by the air, by runoff, or from nearby areas with human activity. Available data show that larger MP particles tend to remain in the surface layers of the soil, while smaller particles can penetrate deeper soil layers, increasing their bioavailability and the likelihood of interaction with microorganisms and plant root systems. In terms of their chemical composition, polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) polymers dominate in agricultural soils, which is directly linked to agricultural practices, while polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are more frequently detected in urban soils. The morphological types of MPs include fragments, fibers, and films, while their color characteristics provide clues to possible sources of origin, such as plastic ground covers, tire wear, and packaging materials. Overall, the study’s results underscore the growing environmental significance of MP soil pollution and highlight the need for more effective management and recycling of plastic materials, as well as for further interdisciplinary research aimed at understanding the mechanisms of transport, accumulation, and long-term ecological effects of microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems.