We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Occurrence, Environmental Behaviors, and Characterization of Microplastics in Landfills: A Review
AI summary Read the abstract
Landfills are a major hotspot for tiny plastic particles called microplastics, which break down further and release chemicals into the surrounding soil and water. This review pulls together existing research on how these particles behave once buried and points out that scientists still lack good tools to measure how harmful they and their chemical additives might be. Since microplastics can eventually make their way into water supplies and food, better testing methods matter for understanding potential long-term health risks.
Abstract: Microplastics (MPs) have gained increasing recognition as ubiquitous contaminants with a widespread presence across diverse environmental compartments. Characterized by a high specific surface area, small particle size, and strong adsorption affinity for pollutants, MPs pose considerable environmental concerns. Over recent decades, substantial quantities of MPs from varied sources have been released globally, and their intricate environmental behaviors present significant risks to ecosystem stability. Landfills, acting as major reservoirs for plastic waste, have been identified as critical sources of MP contamination. This review synthesizes recent advancements in understanding the occurrence and environmental behaviors of MPs in landfill environments, with particular emphasis on MP-derived dissolved organic matter. Furthermore, it critically reviews and discusses the progress and limitations of current characterization methodologies—covering sample collection, pretreatment, and detection techniques—based on both physical properties and chemical composition. Special attention is given to the urgent need for developing robust analytical approaches to assess the ecological toxicity of MPs and their associated additives. Finally, future research perspectives and directions concerning MPs in landfill settings are proposed.
More Papers Like This
Landfills as a potential source and origin of microplastics: Formation, composition, and environmental risks
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how landfills serve as both sinks and continuous sources of microplastic pollution, with an estimated 21-42% of all plastics ever produced stored in landfills worldwide. Researchers found that physical, chemical, and biological processes within landfills break down plastic waste into microplastics that can leach into surrounding environments. The study highlights that these microplastics also carry other hazardous pollutants like heavy metals and persistent organic chemicals, amplifying their environmental threat.
Microplastics as emergent contaminants in landfill leachate: Source, potential impact and remediation technologies
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how landfills generate microplastics as buried plastic waste gradually degrades from physical, chemical, and biological processes. These microplastics enter the environment through leachate, the contaminated liquid that seeps from landfills into surrounding soil and groundwater. The authors evaluate current remediation technologies and highlight the need for better landfill management to reduce this growing source of microplastic pollution.
Microplastics in landfill leachate - characteristics and common methods of identification
AI summary Read the abstract
This review characterized microplastics in landfill leachate, covering their physical and chemical properties and the common analytical methods used for identification. Around 40% of global plastic waste ends up in landfills, making leachate a significant but understudied pathway for microplastic release into groundwater and surrounding environments.
Microplastics in landfill leachate: Occurrence, health concerns, and removal strategies
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how microplastics form and accumulate in landfill leachate, the liquid that drains from waste sites. As plastic waste breaks down in landfills, it releases microplastic particles that can contaminate surrounding soil and water. The authors assess health concerns from leachate-borne microplastics and evaluate removal strategies, highlighting an often-overlooked pathway for microplastic pollution.
Microplastics in soils: A review of methods, occurrence, fate, transport, ecological and environmental risks
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines the sources, detection methods, and environmental behavior of microplastics in soils, an area that has received far less attention than marine microplastic pollution. Researchers found that microplastics interact with soil properties and organisms in complex ways, potentially entering the human food chain. The study calls for standardized methods and more research into how these tiny plastic particles move through and affect terrestrial ecosystems.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.