We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Global perspective of ecological risk of plastic pollution on soil microbial communities
Summary
This review examined how plastic pollution affects soil microbial communities worldwide, looking at factors like plastic type, size, and soil conditions. The researchers highlight that current studies often use unrealistically high plastic concentrations and short exposure times, making it hard to predict real-world impacts. They call for more field-based research, especially on nanoplastics and their effects on soil food webs and ecosystem functions.
To include a comprehensive examination of the combined effects of plastic residue properties (Type, element composition, size and age), soil properties (soil texture, pH) at environmentally relevant concentrations with various exposure durations under field conditions in future studies is crucial for a holistic understanding of the impact of plastic pollution on soil ecosystems. Risk assessment of plastic pollution, particularly for nanoplasctics, from the perspective of soil food web and ecosystem multifunctioning is also needed. By addressing critical knowledge gaps, scholars can play a pivotal role in developing strategies to mitigate the ecological risks posed by plastic pollution on soil microorganisms.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Micro Plastic Pollution in Soil Environment: A Comprehensive Review
This comprehensive review covers sources, distribution, degradation pathways, and ecological effects of microplastics in soil environments, highlighting threats to soil fauna, microbiota, and plant growth.
Soils in distress: The impacts and ecological risks of (micro)plastic pollution in the terrestrial environment
This review examines how microplastics affect soil ecosystems, including their transport into soils, changes they undergo in the environment, and their interactions with soil organisms. The effects depend heavily on the type, shape, size, and amount of plastic particles present. Understanding these impacts is important because soil contamination with microplastics can affect food production and ultimately human exposure through the food chain.
Microplastics in Soil Systems: The Overlooked Dimension of Plastic Pollution
This review evaluates research on microplastics in soil systems, highlighting them as an overlooked yet significant dimension of global plastic pollution. Evidence indicates that microplastics can alter soil structure, reduce water-holding capacity, disrupt microbial communities, and act as carriers for antibiotics, heavy metals, and other toxic substances. The study examines major sources of soil microplastics, including agricultural practices, wastewater irrigation, and atmospheric deposition, and discusses mitigation strategies.
A global review on the abundance and threats of microplastics in soils to terrestrial ecosystem and human health
This review examines microplastic pollution levels across agricultural, roadside, urban, and landfill soils worldwide, finding wide variation but consistent contamination. Microplastics alter soil pH, density, and water movement, disrupt microbial communities, inhibit plant growth, and affect soil animals. For humans, the concern is that microplastics in soil can enter the food chain through crops and contaminated water.
A review of microplastics in the soil environment
This review summarizes the current state of knowledge about microplastic contamination in soil environments, covering sources, distribution, and effects on soil organisms and ecosystems. The study highlights that while aquatic microplastic research is more advanced, soil contamination poses significant but understudied risks to terrestrial ecosystems and food production.