We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Micro and Nanoplastics: Contamination of Soil
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed how micro- and nanoplastics accumulate in soil through agricultural mulch films, sewage irrigation, and landfill leaching, disrupting soil ecosystems and potentially entering the food chain. Because these particles are so small, they can travel into groundwater and be absorbed by crops, raising concerns about human dietary exposure.
Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) are tiny particles formed from the breakdown of plastic waste. They enter the soil through landfills, agricultural practices like mulching, and irrigation with sewage water and cause several environmental problems. The movement of...
More Papers Like This
Soil Pollution by Micro- and Nanoplastics: An Overview
AI summary Read the abstract
"This overview synthesized evidence showing that annual plastic releases to terrestrial environments are 4 to 23 times higher than releases to the ocean, with microplastics entering soil via sewage sludge, compost, plastic mulch, and irrigation. Soil contamination at this scale threatens agricultural food safety and groundwater quality, creating direct pathways for microplastics and associated toxins to enter the human diet through crops and drinking water."
Soil Pollution by Micro- and Nanoplastics: Sources, Fate, and Impact
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examine how micro- and nanoplastics enter soil systems, persist through environmental processes, and threaten soil fertility and ecosystem health, with direct implications for agricultural productivity, food security, and human health.
Persistence of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Soil
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examined the persistence, fate, and properties of micro- and nanoplastics in soil environments, highlighting significant knowledge gaps in understanding how these particles behave once deposited in terrestrial systems. Because soils represent a major and understudied reservoir for plastic particles, clarifying their persistence and mobility is critical for assessing long-term contamination of crops and groundwater that feed into human exposure.
Micro and Nanoplastics: Contamination of Air, Water, and Soil
AI summary Read the abstract
This review characterized the contamination of air, water, and soil by micro- and nanoplastics, documenting sources, transport mechanisms across environmental compartments, and the growing diversity of polymer types detected globally. The ubiquitous, multi-media spread of MNPs means human exposure occurs simultaneously through inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact, underscoring the need for cross-sector pollution control.
Micro- and Nanoplastics as Carriers for Other Soil Pollutants
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed how microplastics in soil serve as vectors for co-transport of other pollutants — including heavy metals, pesticides, and antibiotics — with annual terrestrial plastic releases estimated at 4–23 times those entering the marine environment. This carrier effect means soil microplastic contamination amplifies the bioavailability and toxicity of co-occurring chemical pollutants, compounding risks to soil organisms, crops, and ultimately human consumers.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.