We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Soil and Sediment Organisms as Bioindicators of Pollution
Summary
This review examines how soil organisms like earthworms, insects, and microbes can serve as living indicators of pollution, including contamination from microplastics and heavy metals. Changes in these organisms' behavior, reproduction, or survival can reveal pollution levels that chemical tests alone might miss. The approach is relevant to microplastic research because it provides practical tools for assessing how microplastic contamination in soil affects the ecosystems that support agriculture and food production.
This review examines the role of soil and sediment organisms as bioindicators in environmental pollution assessment. As fundamental elements of terrestrial ecosystems, soils harbour a rich and diverse biodiversity that plays a key role in regulating ecological processes. The use of bioindicators provides a sensitive and specific approach to detecting the effects of chemical, biological, and physical pollutants on soil health. The review presents a detailed analysis of the types of contaminants commonly encountered, the soil organisms used as bioindicators, and the criteria for selecting the most appropriate bioindicators. It also discusses assessment methods, including soil sampling and analysis techniques, and the biological and ecological indices used to measure contamination. Regional case studies illustrate the practical application of bioindicators for assessing soil quality in different geographical contexts. The review also highlights current challenges to the use of bioindicators, such as technical limitations and the variability of organism responses, and suggests perspectives for future research, including technological innovation and the integration of bioindicators into environmental policy.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Bioindicators of the impacts by microplastics in soil: A Systematic Review : a systematic review
This systematic review identifies organisms that can serve as bioindicators — living warning signs — for microplastic contamination in soil. Certain earthworms, springtails, and other soil creatures show measurable changes when exposed to microplastics, making them useful tools for monitoring pollution levels. Using these natural indicators could help farmers and environmental managers detect microplastic problems before they worsen.
Earthworm-microbiome interactions: Unlocking next-generation bioindicators and bioengineered solutions for soil and environmental health
This review explores how earthworms and their associated microbiomes can serve as bioindicators of soil contamination from pollutants including microplastics. Changes in earthworm gut microbial communities can act as early warning signals of soil pollution, and engineered earthworm-microbiome systems show potential for environmental remediation. The study suggests that understanding these biological interactions could lead to new biomonitoring tools for assessing microplastic contamination in terrestrial ecosystems.
A review on effective soil health bio-indicators for ecosystem restoration and sustainability
This review examines biological indicators that scientists use to measure soil health, including microbial diversity, enzyme activity, and earthworm populations. Healthy soil ecosystems depend on these biological components, which can be disrupted by pollutants including microplastics. The review is relevant because bio-indicators could serve as early warning tools for detecting the impact of microplastic contamination on agricultural soil quality.
Current research trends on plastic pollution and ecological impacts on the soil ecosystem: A review
This review examines the current state of research on plastic pollution in soil ecosystems, an area that has received far less attention than marine plastic contamination. Researchers found that agricultural practices, sewage sludge application, and plastic mulch use are major sources of soil microplastic pollution, with earthworms being the most commonly studied organisms for assessing ecological impacts. The study calls for more research into how microplastics affect soil biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and long-term soil health.
Role of earthworms as potent bioindicator of soil pollution: A Review
This review examines earthworms as bioindicators of soil pollution from pesticides, insecticides, and heavy metals, summarizing how behavioral, physiological, and biochemical responses in earthworms reflect toxicant levels in agricultural soils and their utility for assessing contamination risks to crops and human health.