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Global microplastics pollution: a bibliometric analysis and review on research trends and hotspots in agroecosystems
Summary
Researchers conducted a bibliometric analysis of over 1,600 publications on microplastic pollution in agricultural ecosystems from 2012 to 2024, identifying China, the USA, Germany, and India as leading contributors. The analysis revealed emerging research hotspots including biochar remediation, biodegradable microplastics, and antibiotic resistance genes associated with plastic contamination. The study provides a comprehensive overview of how microplastics affect soil properties, microbial communities, and crop productivity, while identifying key knowledge gaps for future research.
The prevalence of microplastics (MPs) in agricultural ecosystems poses a notable threat to dynamics of soil ecosystems, crop productivity, and global food security. MPs enter agricultural ecosystems from various sources and have considerable impacts on the physiochemical properties soil, soil organisms and microbial communities, and plants. However, the intensity of these impacts can vary with the size, shape, types, and the concentrations of MPs in the soil. Besides, MPs can enter food chain through consummation of crops grown on MPs polluted soils. In this study, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of 1636 publications on the effects of MPs on agricultural ecosystems from 2012 to May 2024. The results revealed a substantial increase in publications over the years, and China, the USA, Germany, and India have emerged as leading countries in this field of research. Social network analysis identified emerging trends and research hotspots. The latest burst keywords were contaminants, biochar, polyethylene microplastics, biodegradable microplastics, antibiotic resistance genes, and quantification. Furthermore, we have summarized the effects of MPs on various components of agricultural ecosystems. By integrating findings from diverse disciplinary perspectives, this study provides a valuable insight into the current knowledge landscape, identifies research gaps, and proposes future research directions to effectively tackle the intricate challenges associated with MPs pollution in agricultural environments.
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