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Microplastic Pollution in Soil and Soil Amendments: Influence of Waste Management Practices and Policies in Denmark and Thailand
Summary
Researchers found that fertilizers made from treated sewage, food waste, and compost—commonly used to enrich soil in both Denmark and Thailand—contain surprisingly high levels of microplastics, with treated sewage sludge having the most (nearly 19,000 particles per kilogram). Since these amendments are spread on farmland, this means tiny plastic particles, including many smaller than a grain of sand, are likely making their way into the soil that grows our food. The findings show that even countries with strong environmental regulations aren't fully preventing this contamination, suggesting the food we eat may be exposed to microplastics no matter
ABSTRACT Soil amendments, once valued for enriching the soil, have emerged as silent infiltrators, introducing microplastics (MPs) into the soil and posing significant threats to its health. This study investigates MP pollution in different soil amendments and topsoil samples treated with biogas digestate from Denmark and compares them with data from Thailand. Results revealed considerable variability in MP concentrations, ranging from 267 ± 202 items/kg dry weight (dw) in compost derived from garden waste in Assens municipality (AC) to 19,067 ± 1301 items/kg dw in biosolids (BS). Biopulp (BP) exhibited the highest total plastic concentration (143.86 mg/kg) among biowaste‐derived soil amendments, as determined by Pyr‐GC/MS analysis. Topsoil samples showed MP concentrations ranging from 225 ± 35 to 1050 ± 71 items/kg and 19.01 mg/kg to 12.31 mg/kg. Various MP morphologies and colours were detected in all the samples, indicating that these MPs originate from diverse plastic sources. Ten different polymer types were identified, with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) being the most prevalent across all samples. Smaller particles (< 300 μm) were dominant. Comparisons between MP contamination in soil amendments from Denmark and Thailand highlight that MP pollution is a global issue, impacting both developed and developing nations. This finding suggests contamination can still occur in well‐regulated systems despite strong legislation and circular economy practices. While Thailand could benefit from adopting selected Danish practices, a combined approach—leveraging technological innovation, effective policy, and public participation, is essential to address the complex challenges of MP pollution.