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Changes in the Granulometric Composition and Sorption Capacity of Soils and Soil Substrates when Contaminated with Microplastic Polystyrene
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Scientists found that tiny polystyrene microplastic particles (like those from broken-down plastic packaging) physically change the structure of soil, causing soil particles to clump together and reducing the soil's ability to absorb and filter substances. This matters because soil is a key filter for our water and food supply, if microplastics are altering its basic structure and function, that could affect how well soil retains nutrients, water, and potentially pollutants, with ripple effects on the food we grow and the water we drink.
Abstract— The paper presents results of an investigation into the impact of microplastics, specifically spherical polystyrene particles with an average diameter of 160 nm, on urban soils of various origins. These microplastics are represented by microplastic. The study focused on the topsoil layers of parks and courtyards in Moscow, including Urban Technosols and Technosols with humic and transport characteristics. Additionally, samples from Maikop were analyzed, including Fluvic Phaeozems and Ekranic Technosols. Sand and sand-peat models were also used in the study. The concentration of microplastics in the samples was kept at 1%. Granulometric analysis was performed using laser diffraction. Low-temperature nitrogen adsorption and desorption isotherms were obtained, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to visualize microstructural changes in the soil samples. A statistically significant effect of microplastics (p < 0.05) on the dispersion of all soils under study was revealed. The specific surface area decreased by 16.1–30.9%, while the volume of nitrogen adsorbed decreased by 20.5–30%. The most pronounced transformation was observed in soil samples from Moscow, which had a high total carbon content. In structured soils such as Fluvic Phaeozems (Technic) (konstructozems from Maikop), the presence of polystyrene induced a process of strong binding of soil particles. This was manifested in a decrease in the proportion of silt fraction and an increase in the fine sand content. SEM data from the surface of a sand substrate contaminated with polystyrene at the same concentration confirmed the formation of a sand-polymer matrix. This resulted from the formation of polymer films and bridges between mineral particles.
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