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Rainfall-induced microplastic fate and transport in unsaturated Dutch soils
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This study simulated rainfall conditions to track how different types of microplastics move through Dutch soils, finding that sandy soils allowed significantly more microplastics to wash through than loamy soils. Heavier rainfall increased microplastic movement by up to 144% depending on the plastic type, with conventional polyethylene washing out most easily. The findings suggest that rain can carry microplastics from surface soil into groundwater, potentially contaminating drinking water sources.
Microplastic pollution has become a growing concern in terrestrial ecosystems, with significant implications for environmental and human health. Understanding the fate and transport of microplastics in soil environment is crucial for effective mitigation strategies. This study investigates the dynamics of microplastic (Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), and starch-based biodegradable plastic) transport in unsaturated soils under varying rainfall intensities and soil types, aiming to elucidate the factors influencing their behavior. Effluent samples were analyzed to measure microplastic transport, with microplastic balance analysis ensuring experimental accuracy. The setup replicated real-world flow conditions, providing insights into microplastic transport in unsaturated porous media. Microplastic balance analysis revealed high recovery factors (between 64 % and 104 %), indicating the reliability of the experimental approach. Microplastic transport varied significantly between sandy loam and loamy sand soils, with loamy sand soils exhibiting higher wash-off rates due to their unique properties. LDPE microplastics showed a higher tendency to detach from soil columns compared to PBAT and starch-based particles. Higher rainfall intensity in loamy sand soil columns resulted in an increased washout of LDPE, PBAT, and starch-based particles by 92 %, 144 %, and 85 %, respectively, compared to low rainfall intensity. In sandy loam soil, increased rainfall intensity resulted in a significantly higher washout of LDPE, PBAT, and starch-based particles with percentages of 93 %, 69 %, and 45 %, respectively. This underscores the important role of water flow in mobilizing microplastics within the soil matrix.
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This study tracked how three common types of microplastic — polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET — move through sandy soil during simulated rainfall events, finding that rainfall intensity and plastic type both strongly govern where particles end up. Intense, short bursts of rain transport fewer microplastics both horizontally and vertically than the same total volume of gentler rain, while PET sticks to shallow soil layers and polypropylene travels furthest horizontally due to its buoyancy. The researchers developed mathematical models to predict microplastic movement, which could help inform strategies for intercepting contamination before it reaches groundwater or waterways.
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