We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
[Degradation Processes of Biodegradable Plastics in Soil and Their Effects on Soil Animals].
Summary
Researchers reviewed the three-phase degradation process of biodegradable plastics in soil—biodeterioration, bio-depolymerization, and bioassimilation—and assessed how the resulting fragments and additives affect soil animals. They found that degradation byproducts and residual microplastics from biodegradable plastics can harm soil invertebrates, with effects depending on polymer type and soil conditions.
Biodegradable plastics are increasingly recognized as a viable alternative to conventional plastics, offering a potential solution to persistent plastic pollution. However, the efficiency of their biodegradation and the subsequent ecological impacts have garnered significant attention. These biodegradable plastics primarily consist of biodegradable polymers with minor quantities of additives such as plasticizers, dyes, photo-stabilizers, etc., to obtain greater performances and some specific physicochemical properties or functionalities. The degradation of biodegradable plastics in soil consists of three phases： biodeterioration, bio-depolymerization, and bioassimilation coupled with mineralization. These processes are decisively influenced by the properties of the biodegradable plastics, while they can face interference from the biotic and abiotic factors of the soils. During degradation, substantial quantities of microplastics, additives, oligomers, and monomers are released into the soils, which can easily be ingested by soil animals and consequently pose more serious negative effects on the behavior, growth, and reproduction of soil animals. Furthermore, biodegradable microplastics can act as carriers of soil pollutants such as heavy metals and organic pollutants, resulting in soil combined contaminations and inducing more serious detrimental effects on soil organisms. Finally, the prospects for further studies in this field are put forward.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Unravelling the ecological ramifications of biodegradable microplastics in soil environment: A systematic review
Researchers reviewed 85 studies on biodegradable microplastics in soil, finding that when biodegradable plastics fail to fully break down they can disrupt soil structure, nutrient cycling, and microbial life in ways that depend heavily on concentration and plastic type. The review highlights that "biodegradable" plastics are not a simple fix for microplastic pollution in agricultural soils.
A progress update on the biological effects of biodegradable microplastics on soil and ocean environment: A perfect substitute or new threat?
This review examines whether biodegradable plastics, often marketed as eco-friendly alternatives, actually break down safely in the environment. The evidence shows that biodegradable plastics often fragment into microplastics rather than fully decomposing, and these biodegradable microplastics can harm soil organisms, marine life, and disrupt nutrient cycles. The findings suggest that simply switching to biodegradable plastics may not solve the microplastic pollution problem and could introduce new environmental risks.
A review of biodegradation and formation of biodegradable microplastics in soil and freshwater environments
Researchers reviewed how biodegradable plastics break down in soil and freshwater, finding that incomplete degradation by microorganisms can still produce tiny biodegradable microplastic particles that persist in the environment — meaning "biodegradable" doesn't always mean safe or fast-disappearing.
A review on the occurrence and influence of biodegradable microplastics in soil ecosystems: Are biodegradable plastics substitute or threat?
This review examines whether biodegradable plastics are a genuine solution to plastic pollution or may create new problems in soil ecosystems. Researchers found that many biodegradable plastics do not fully break down under natural conditions and may actually fragment into microplastics faster than conventional plastics, potentially posing additional threats to soil health.
Biodegradable plastics: mechanisms of degradation and generated bio microplastic impact on soil health
This review explains how biodegradable plastics break down through mechanical, thermal, light, and microbial processes, but warns that they still produce tiny fragments called bio-microplastics during degradation. These bio-microplastic fragments can affect soil health in both positive and negative ways, meaning that switching to biodegradable plastics does not fully eliminate the microplastic problem.