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Impact of Polypropylene Microplastics on Earthworm Performance and Vermicompost Nutrient Characteristics on the Vermicompost Process of Cow Manure
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Scientists found that tiny plastic bits (from polypropylene, a common plastic) don't kill earthworms used to make compost from cow manure, but they do make the worms lose weight and slow down how well the compost breaks down nutrients. This matters because vermicompost is widely used in organic farming, so plastic-contaminated compost could quietly weaken soil quality over time — and since that compost grows the food we eat, microplastics entering the food chain this way is a health concern worth watching.
The increasing presence of microplastics in organic fertilizers raises concerns regarding their potential impacts on vermicomposting processes and the quality of vermicompost products. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of polypropylene (PP) microplastics (MPs) on earthworm performance, vermicomposting dynamics, and vermicompost nutrient characteristics. The experiment was conducted using Eisenia fetida in a microcosm system with four treatments: control without microplastics (P0) and cattle manure amended with 1 g (P1), 2 g (P2), and 3 g (P3) of PP microplastics, each with three replicates. Vermicomposting was carried out for 14 days using 80 g of substrate per unit at 70% moisture content. The results showed that earthworm survival rates remained high across all treatments (84–92%), while body weight decreased at higher microplastic concentrations, with the lowest value observed at 3 g PP (58). Temperature (14.0–28.5°C) and pH (7.5–8.0) remained stable, whereas fertility exhibited strong fluctuations, reaching up to 3000 µS/cm in microplastic treatments, accompanied by increased C/N ratios from 20 (control) to 24 (3 g PP), indicating slower organic matter decomposition. In conclusion, polypropylene microplastics did not induce acute toxicity during vermicomposting but significantly altered sublethal biological responses and nutrient mineralization processes. These findings highlight potential risks of microplastic-contaminated vermicompost to agroecosystem sustainability and emphasize the need to incorporate microplastic considerations into organic waste management and fertilizer quality assessments.
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This review evaluates vermicomposting as a biological approach for reducing microplastic contamination in organic waste streams. Researchers found evidence that earthworms can physically fragment and partially break down certain types of microplastics during the composting process, though effects on earthworm health vary by plastic type and concentration. The study suggests that vermicomposting shows promise as a strategy for mitigating microplastic contamination in compost, but more research is needed on long-term impacts.
Toxicity assessment of animal manure composts containing environmental microplastics by using earthworms Eisenia andrei
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Researchers found microplastics in animal manure compost from both cow and sheep farms, confirming that using manure as fertilizer introduces plastic particles into agricultural soil. When earthworms were exposed to these contaminated composts, they showed signs of oxidative stress and cellular damage. Since manure composting is a widespread farming practice, this represents a significant pathway for microplastics to enter the soil where food crops are grown.
Effect of conventional and biodegradable microplastics on earthworms during vermicomposting process
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Researchers compared the effects of conventional polyethylene and biodegradable microplastics on earthworms during composting and found that both types caused stress at higher concentrations. Earthworm weight, reproduction, and survival were negatively affected by both plastic types, though biodegradable microplastics caused somewhat less harm. The findings suggest that biodegradable plastics are not entirely safe for soil organisms and can still disrupt composting processes.
Earthworm-Driven Vertical Redistribution of Mixed Microplastics in Vermicompost-Amended Soil
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In a lab experiment, earthworms were added to soil mixed with compost and various microplastics. Smaller particles like polystyrene and PTFE moved deeper into the soil than larger ones, and tiny fragments were found in earthworm waste, showing worms helped move plastics downward. Earthworms in treated soil also showed reduced survival and weight loss.
The Effect of Polyethylene Terephthalate and Low-density Polyethylene Microplastics in Organic Material on Vermicomposting Process
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Researchers assessed the effects of polyethylene terephthalate and low-density polyethylene microplastics on vermicomposting of organic material, measuring germination index, C/N ratio, worm survival, pH, and electrical conductivity and finding that both MP polymer types impair key composting process indicators.
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