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Microplastic data on microplastics in forest soils
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Scientists tested forest soils in Germany and found that microplastic levels varied a lot from place to place, depending on things like soil chemistry and the type of forest growing there. This matters because forests aren't as untouched as we might think—tiny plastic particles are working their way into the ground beneath trees, and understanding what drives this buildup is a first step toward figuring out how these plastics might eventually reach our food and water supplies.
Within this dataset I provide data on microplastic particles extracted from forest soils (Hesse, Germany). The data corresponds to a planned publication entitled: "High Variability of Microplastic Concentrations in Forest Soils Driven by Soil Properties and Forest Structure" authored by O. Heberer, K. Lügger, C. Heller and C.J. Weber. The dataset includes the following: ir_audit_merged_MP_data.csv = Microplastic data including polymer identification, identification score, particle size and morphology descriptors (numeric) based on FPA-µFTIR chemical imaging and data anlysis using microparticlesAI (Hufnagl Chemometrics GmbH)MP_conc_stocks_data.csv = Microplastic concentrations and microplastic stocks calculated from microplastic data and soil features (horizon thickness and soil bulk density) for each soil horizon ltsm_soil_data_export.csv = Export of basic soil data from the Hessian long term soil monitoring programm (LTSM) with permission of the Hessian Agency for Nature Conservation, Environment and Geology, Wiesbaden, Germany (2026) including data on soil pH, TOC, N and texture for each horizon
More Papers Like This
Microplastic data on microplastics in forest soils
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists analyzed soil from German forests and found that microplastic amounts varied widely from spot to spot, depending on things like soil chemistry and how the forest itself is structured. This matters because forests are often seen as "clean" natural areas, but this research shows plastic pollution is creeping in even there—meaning the food grown near forests and the water filtering through this soil could be affected too. This dataset itself doesn't test human health effects, but it helps build the bigger picture of how far plastic pollution has spread into our environment.
The Effect of Microplastics on Soil Microbial Activity, Biomass, and Microbial Community Structure in Three Types of Temperate Forest
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles in forest soil can shift the balance of microorganisms living there, favoring bacteria over fungi and reducing the total amount of microbial life when the plastic pieces are especially small. Since these soil microbes play a key role in breaking down nutrients and keeping forest ecosystems healthy, this suggests that widespread microplastic pollution could quietly disrupt the natural systems that support clean soil, water, and the food chain we ultimately depend on.
Mind the gap: forest soils as a hidden hub for global micro- and nanoplastic pollution
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Researchers examined the underappreciated role of forest soils as a global sink for micro- and nanoplastics, noting that forest canopies can intercept airborne plastic particles that then accumulate in the soil below. Despite covering a third of Earth's land surface, forest soil plastic pollution remains largely unstudied, leaving a major gap in understanding where environmental plastics ultimately end up.
Forest soils accumulate microplastics through atmospheric deposition
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Researchers quantified microplastics in forest soil layers and atmospheric throughfall deposition to understand how microplastics accumulate in forest ecosystems. They found that microplastics initially enriched in decomposed litter layers before accumulating in deeper mineral soil through natural litter turnover processes. The study suggests that forests act as good indicators of atmospheric microplastic pollution, with most forest soil microplastics originating from atmospheric deposition rather than other sources.
Microplastics indirectly affect soil respiration of different-aged forest by altering microbial communities and carbon metabolism
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Researchers explored how microplastics affect soil respiration in forests of different ages by altering microbial community structure and carbon metabolism. The study found microplastic levels ranging from approximately 600 to 3,858 items per sample across forest ages, and that their presence indirectly influences soil carbon cycling processes.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.