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Distribution of Microplastics in an Urban Soil:The Case of a Medium-Sized Cityin the Central Valley of Chile
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Researchers systematically sampled soils across an entire Chilean city and found microplastics at 95% of sampling sites, with plastic fibers making up 68% of the particles detected. The near-universal contamination signals that urban soils are a widespread and underappreciated reservoir of microplastic pollution.
A large number of plastics are produced at the global level annually, and most end up in aquatic and terrestrial environments.Their extensive production and mismanagement have led to the accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in soils, posing concerns for human health and ecosystems.The aim of this study was to assess the presence of MPs in urban soils of the city of Chilln (Chile), in order to identify areas with higher concentrations.A systematic soil sampling covered the entire urban area of the city on a 500-m grid during January-February 2023.The sieved samples underwent MP extraction, identification, and classification using a stereo-electron microscope.Of the 174 sampling points evaluated, 95% contained MPs, with 68% in the form of plastic fibers and 32% in plastic fragments.The high prevalence of MPs found in the urban soil of Chilln indicates that urgent actions are needed to understand their environmental and health impacts.
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Characterization of Microplastics and Associated Heavy Metals in Urban Soils Affected by Anthropogenic Littering: Distribution, Spatial Variation, and Influence of Soil Properties
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Researchers sampled soils across residential, commercial, and industrial land-use types in urban areas and found microplastics in every location, with polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyamide as the dominant polymer types, at concentrations up to 850,000 particles per kilogram. Heavy metals were also associated with the plastic particles, meaning microplastics in urban soil may serve as combined carriers of chemical toxicants. The findings highlight urban soil as a major but underappreciated reservoir of microplastic pollution.
Global concentrations of microplastic in soils, a review
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This global review synthesized data from studies on microplastic concentrations in soils worldwide, finding contamination across diverse terrestrial environments with higher levels near urban areas and agricultural land. Terrestrial soils are estimated to contain far more microplastic than the world's oceans, making them a critical but understudied reservoir of plastic pollution.
The distribution of microplastics in soil aggregate fractions in southwestern China
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Researchers investigated microplastic distribution across different soil types in agricultural and forested areas near a lake in southwestern China and found plastic particles in every sample, with concentrations as high as 42,960 particles per kilogram. Approximately 95% of the particles fell within the microplastic size range, and fibers were the dominant form, likely originating from textiles and agricultural materials. The study demonstrates that microplastic contamination in soils is extensive and varies with land use practices.
Urban Microplastic Pollution Revealed by a Large-Scale Wetland Soil Survey
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Researchers conducted a large-scale survey of wetland soils across an urban area and found an average of 379 microplastic particles per kilogram, with abundance closely linked to proximity to the city's economic center. Polypropylene was the most common polymer type, and fiber and fragment shapes dominated the samples. The study found that atmospheric particle pollution and heavy metal concentrations in soil were strongly correlated with microplastic levels, suggesting shared urban pollution sources.
Microplastic Composition in Soils Reflects Anthropogenic Inputs Across Contrasting Land Uses
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Researchers tested soils from cities, farmland, grassland and forests, finding microplastics in every sample, with city soils most contaminated. The main plastics found were PE, PP and PVC, and their mix differed from compost and sewage sludge samples, suggesting soil plastic types partly reflect these waste sources alongside other local factors.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.