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The distribution of pristine and aged low density polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics in soil aggregate fractions
Summary
Researchers investigated how pristine and artificially weathered low-density polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics redistribute across soil aggregate fractions during aggregation, adding particles at low concentration to silt loam and loam soils amended with organic matter over a two-month incubation period. They found that weathering significantly altered microplastic surface properties, which in turn affected how particles interacted with and distributed within soil aggregate fractions during soil formation.
Several studies have evaluated the effect of microplastics (MPs) on soil aggregate formation and stability, typically using high MP concentrations without considering the effects of aging. However, studies regarding the distribution of microplastics within soil aggregate fractions are still limited. Aging or weathering significantly impacts MP surface properties, potentially altering their interaction with the soil matrix. This study aimed to investigate the redistribution of both pristine and artificially weathered MPs, added in a small concentration, across soil aggregate fractions during soil aggregation. Two soil types (silt loam and loam) were treated with organic matter (OM) to promote aggregation over a 2-month incubation period with the addition of 0.1 Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/559402/document