We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The effect of microplastics on the variability of functional parameters of available water in loessial soils
Summary
Researchers examined how different weights of microplastics affect water holding capacity and other functional water parameters in loessial soils of varying textures, finding that soil microplastic content alters water availability in ways relevant to sustainable soil ecosystem management.
Abstract Basic scientific research on microplastics and research paths on their fate in soil and water are essential for the studies of soil pollution in today’s world. However, our current knowledge of microplastics in soil is still not coherent, so it is necessary to create coherence, coordination and multi-faceted targeted studies for the sustainable management of soil ecosystems. In this paper, we examined the effects of soil texture in soils containing different weights of soil microplastics with special focus on water holding capacity. For this purpose, the effect of different weights of polypropylene microplastics, i.e. 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 grams per kilogram of soil, on the amount of available water of three loess soil textures (silty loam, silty clay, silty clay loam) in a four-month period was evaluated. The experimental results showed the clear effect of microplastics on the water retention capacity in all three loess soil types under study, depending on the soil texture and weight doses of microplastics. The addition of microplastic concentration decreased the water holding capacity of silty clay soil to a greater extent than silty clay loam and silty loam. Thus, it seems that the addition of MPs to soils with higher clay content showed stronger effects on this soil property. This research showed the relationship between soil texture, weight doses of microplastics and soil functional parameters regarding soil water retention that may stimulate new ideas for future research and practical management practices for efficient application of water and fertilizers in agricultural fields of contaminated soils by microplastics.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Experimental Investigation of Water-Retaining and Unsaturated Infiltration Characteristics of Loess Soils Imbued with Microplastics
Researchers conducted one-dimensional vertical soil column rainfall infiltration experiments on loess soil mixed with microplastics at varying content levels and particle sizes, finding that microplastics weakened soil water-retaining capacity and altered infiltration characteristics, with intermittent irrigation recommended to compensate for reduced soil permeability.
Effects of microplastics on the water characteristic curve of soils with different textures
Researchers studied how polyethylene microplastics at different concentrations and sizes affect the water-holding properties of sandy and loamy soils. The study found that low concentrations had minimal impact, while high concentrations significantly altered soil water characteristics, with small microplastics improving water retention in loamy soil and larger particles reducing water content in sandy soil.
Can Microplastic Pollution Change Soil-Water Dynamics? Results from Controlled Laboratory Experiments
Researchers conducted controlled laboratory experiments examining how microplastic shape and concentration affect soil water-holding capacity and evaporation in fine sand, finding through statistical and non-parametric analyses that microplastic pollution at environmentally relevant concentrations significantly altered both hydrological parameters.
The influence of microplastics on the dry end of the soil-water retention curve
Researchers measured how adding microplastics to soil affects the soil-water retention curve beyond the wilting point — the level at which plants can no longer extract water. Different microplastic types affected water retention differently depending on their surface properties and shape. These changes in soil water dynamics could affect plant available water and agricultural productivity in microplastic-contaminated soils.
Potential impacts of microplastic pollution on soil–water–plant dynamics
Researchers tested how different shapes and sizes of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) microplastics affect a soil's ability to hold water, finding that fragment-shaped microplastics increased water retention by up to 36% — a significant change that could alter water availability for crops and affect agricultural planning in contaminated soils.