Effect of Microplastic Pollution on Soil, Plants, and Soil Microbes

Microplastics are the leftover plastic debris, size <5 mm that has become a widespread concern due to its potential threat to soil, plants, and the microbial community. Due to their small size, microplastics disperse easily and enter the food chain, subsequently reaching different trophic levels. These microplastics are carcinogenic and mutagenic, posing a significant threat to wetland ecosystems. Numerous studies showed that microplastics reduce plants’ fresh weight and height, affecting overall soil productivity. They accumulate in soil pores, affecting germination, growth, soil pH, and enzymatic activities of plants. Several research studies have demonstrated how microplastics significantly alter the diversity and metabolic functioning of soil microbes, as well as the chemical and physical properties of the soil. Microplastics inhibit soil enzymatic activities and nutrient turnover. Additionally, many studies have shown that microplastic interactions with soil enzymes lead to changes in carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles. Once microplastics start accumulating in the soil, they can even cause phytotoxicity in plants. Hybrid silica gels have been modified to remove micropollutants from water, including heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics. Soil aeration and bioaugmentation techniques can also be used to check microplastics in the soil surface. In this chapter, we will study the impact of microplastic on soil, plants, soil microbial communities, interactions between soil enzymes, and the potential ecological imbalance.