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Effect of microplastic pollution on selected physico-chemical and microbiological properties of soil and bacterial/fungal community composition
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Common farm plastics, like the sheeting and bags used to grow crops, break down into microplastics that build up in soil and change some of its properties, such as density and carbon content. While this study didn't test food safety directly, it's a reminder that plastics used in farming may be quietly altering the soil that grows our food.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of microplastic pollution (MP), resulting from the degradation of polypropylene (PP) ground cover and low-density polyethylene (PE) seedling bags commonly used in agricultural production, on soil properties.Materials and Methods: Two different types of MPs (PP and PE) were added to clay-loam soil at concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 3%. The experiment conducted using a randomized complete block design, lasted 3.5 months. Physical, chemical, and microbiological analyses were performed on soil samples taken at the end of the experiment.Results: Bulk density and soil organic carbon were significantly influenced by both MP type and dose, whereas soil pH showed a significant MT × MD interaction. Water holding capacity, cation exchange capacity, soil respiration, dehydrogenase activity, and alkaline phosphatase activity were not significantly affected by the treatments.Conclusion: The results demonstrated that MP application influenced several soil properties, although the magnitude and consistency of these effects varied depending on polymer type and application dose.
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Effects of microplastics on soil properties: Current knowledge and future perspectives
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This review examines how microplastics affect soil health, including changes to soil structure, chemistry, and the microbial communities that keep soil fertile. The effects vary depending on the type, shape, and amount of plastic present, but in many cases microplastics alter nutrient availability and can even influence greenhouse gas emissions from soil. These changes could threaten crop productivity and food safety, since microplastics are now found in agricultural soils worldwide.
Effects of microplastics on farmland soils and plants: a review
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This review synthesized evidence on how microplastics affect farmland soils and crops, examining changes to soil structure, microbial communities, and plant health. The authors document that MPs can enter root systems, alter nutrient uptake, and disrupt soil ecology, with implications for food safety and agricultural productivity.
Microplastics in Agricultural Soil
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This book chapter surveys microplastic contamination in agricultural soils, reviewing the sources of plastic inputs, concentrations found in different farming systems, and the effects of MPs on soil properties, microbial communities, and crop yields.
Microplastic: Evaluating the Impact on Soil-Microbes and Plant System
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This review examines how microplastics affect soil microbial communities and plant systems in agricultural settings, documenting impacts on soil health, microbial diversity, and crop physiology. As microplastics accumulate in farmland soils through irrigation, sludge application, and plastic mulches, their effects on the soil ecosystem that underpins food production are a growing concern.
Impact of Microplastic Pollution on the Structure and Function of Soil Fungal Communities
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Common types of plastic pollution—like those from packaging, bottles, and synthetic fabrics—can seep into soil and change its chemistry, altering the balance of nitrogen and other nutrients that plants need to grow. This study found that these changes also disrupt the fungal communities living in soil, which play a key role in breaking down organic matter and supporting healthy crops. Since soil health directly affects the food we grow, this research is an early warning sign that microplastic pollution could quietly undermine the ecosystems our food supply depends on.
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