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Impact of Microplastics on Soil's Biodiversity and Public Health
Summary
This book chapter examines how microplastic contamination of soil affects biodiversity—including soil microbes, invertebrates, and plants—and discusses the broader public health implications of agricultural soil pollution and potential pathways of human exposure through food.
Microplastics (MP) are particles smaller than 5 μm, arising from the physical, chemical, or biological degradation of chemically diverse synthetic polymers. Because they are versatile and low-cost, plastic materials are used in all sectors of the economy, which is why global production and the negative impacts caused by waste have increased. The accumulation of MP in water, atmosphere, and soil worries scientists, as it has the potential to contaminate plants, animals, food, and humans. Soils are important sinks of MP, which is why studies on the impacts of these residues on biodiversity and the performance of environmental functions performed by soils are very important. In this chapter, we carry out a review on the subject, discussing especially the sources of MP in soils and risks to biodiversity and human health.
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