We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Occurrence, Chemical Methods, and Ecology of Nanoplastics in Soils: a Tutor-guided Bibliographic Project for Early Phd Students
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers designed a tutor-guided bibliographic project for early PhD students on nanoplastics in soils, covering occurrence, analytical detection methods, and ecological implications, using the exercise to build scientific literacy and environmental awareness around an undercharacterized but growing area of plastic pollution research.
OCCURRENCE, CHEMICAL METHODS, AND ECOLOGY OF NANOPLASTICS IN SOILS: A TUTOR-GUIDED BIBLIOGRAPHIC PROJECT FOR EARLY PHD STUDENTS C. Socas-Hernández R. Pérez-Reverón S.J. Álvarez-Méndez J. González-Sálamo F.J. Díaz-Peña C. Hernández-Sánchez J. Hernández-Borges University of La Laguna (SPAIN) About this paper: Appears in: ICERI2024 Proceedings Publication year: 2024 Pages: 36-40 ISBN: 978-84-09-63010-3 ISSN: 2340-1095 doi: 10.21125/iceri.2024.0038 Conference name: 17th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation Dates: 11-13 November, 2024 Location: Seville, Spain Login to download paper Cite BibTeX ris Plaintext Share Email Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Abstract: Plastic production and improper disposal have led to global pollution, with plastics accumulating in oceans since the 1970s and more recently recognized as soil pollutants. Plastics can degrade into smaller pieces known as mesoplastics (<25 mm), microplastics (MPs, <5 mm), and eventually nanoplastics (NPs, <1/0.1 µm). While the impact of MPs on soil and biota has been studied in recent years, research on NPs has been limited by technical challenges related to their tiny size. Therefore, current scientific literature calls for research articles and literature reviews on NPs in soils to pave the way for further research. In this framework, the elaboration of comprehensive reviews covering diverse aspects about NPs in soils (e.g., occurrence, sources, transport, transformation, analytical methods, and ecological implications, among others) arises as a stimulating bibliographic project for early PhD students whose doctoral thesis deals with plastic pollution, soil health, cutting-edge analytical methodologies, and related topics. As PhD students must delve into the literature to prepare the proposed monographic work, they gain awareness of the challenges associated with NPs and the need for innovative solutions. This knowledge contributes to their academic development, sets the basis for further experimental work, and promotes a sense of environmental responsibility. This communication deals with the implementation of a bibliographic project about NPs in soils in the context of a tutor-guided experience that can be easily used as a template for similar works with related topics. Thus, it can be addressed by PhD students in the area of Sciences anywhere in the world, both those in their first and last years, as long as the difficulty of the content may be adjusted. Keywords: Higher education, project-based learning, anthropogenic contamination, chemistry, edaphology.
More Papers Like This
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.
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."
Toxicological Effects of Micro and Nanoplastics on Soil Fauna: Current Research, Advances, and Future Outlook
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed the toxic effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on soil-dwelling organisms such as earthworms and insects, finding that these particles can disrupt reproduction, growth, and survival, with potential ripple effects for soil health and food production.
Long-Term Fate of Micro/Nanoplastics in Soil Systems and Their Impacts
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined the long-term fate of micro- and nanoplastics in soil, finding that these persistent particles accumulate over time and can disrupt soil ecosystems, potentially affecting plant growth, soil organisms, and the broader food chain through sustained environmental exposure.
Microplastics in soil: a review on research status, sources, methods, and remediation strategies
AI summary Read the abstract
A comprehensive literature review found that soil microplastic research lags far behind aquatic studies despite annual MP discharge into farmland exceeding marine inputs, with synthetic textiles, tire wear, and urban dust as dominant sources entering soil via atmospheric deposition, sewage irrigation, and agricultural film use. The soil MP burden threatens food crop health, risks leaching into groundwater, and poses intergenerational health risks through nutrient disruption and potential plant-to-human transmission pathways.
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.