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Transport and Accumulation of Microplastics from Biosolids to Australian Agricultural Soils: Detection of Microplastics Down to 1 μm
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Researchers tracked how microplastics transfer from biosolids, a common organic fertilizer derived from sewage treatment, into Australian agricultural soils. Using advanced detection methods capable of identifying particles as small as 1 micrometer, they found significant microplastic accumulation in fields where biosolids had been applied. The findings highlight a largely unregulated pathway through which microplastics enter the food production chain.
The shift toward sustainable agriculture involves replacing inorganic fertilizers with organic alternatives like biosolids. However, concerns arise over emerging contaminants, such as microplastics (MPs), which remain largely unregulated. Despite their common use in Australia, the transfer of MPs from biosolids to agricultural soils remains largely unknown. Herein, we have investigated the abundance, characteristics, and transport of MPs resulting from biosolids application in two Queensland agricultural sites. MP concentrations were significantly higher in biosolid-amended soils (average of 1137 MPs/kg) than in reference sites (average of 36 MPs/kg), correlating with the volume, time since application, and frequency of biosolids application. MPs > 25 μm were predominantly polyethylene, polypropylene, and poly(methyl methacrylate) fragments (up to 85%). Fibers constitute only 15-30% of MPs and mainly in larger sizes (average 1011 μm), whereas fragments (average 188 μm) and beads (average 72 μm) had smaller size ranges. Despite analytical challenges using Raman spectroscopy, detected smaller MPs (1-25 μm) were fragments composed of polyethylene, polypropylene, and poly(vinyl alcohol). This study provides the first report of MPs down to 1 μm in Australian agricultural soils. Our findings suggest a need to assess the long-term impact of MPs in biosolids on soil health and food safety. We call on policymakers to consider the implementation of effective MP source control strategies and the development of guidelines for acceptable biosolids application rates.
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