We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effects of environmentally relevant mixtures of microplastics on terrestrial organisms
Summary
Researchers tested the effects of environmentally realistic microplastic mixtures on the earthworm Eisenia andrei and the springtail Folsomia candida as soil model organisms. Even at environmentally relevant concentrations, the microplastic mixture caused measurable negative effects on soil organism health and reproduction.
Soils are considered important sinks for microplastics (MPs), however, little is known about the effects of environmentally relevant mixtures of MPs on soil biota. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a mixture of MPs on two soil model organisms, the earthworm Eisenia andrei and the springtail Folsomia candida. For this, high density polythylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) fragments (50-845 µm) were generated from recycled plastic pellets, and polyester (PES) fibres (50-3887 µm). Chronic toxicity tests were conducted following the OECD guidelines 222 and 232 for earthworms and springtails, respectively, using LUFA 2.2 natural standard soil. The organisms were exposed to a mixture of 55 Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/558962/document
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Effects of environmentally relevant mixtures of microplastics on terrestrial organisms
This study evaluated the effects of environmentally relevant microplastic mixtures on two soil model organisms, the earthworm Eisenia andrei and the springtail Folsomia candida, addressing the gap in knowledge about mixture effects at realistic environmental concentrations. Microplastic mixtures caused measurable effects on both soil organisms, with combined exposures producing different outcomes than single-polymer studies suggest.
Effects of environmentally relevant mixtures of microplastics on soil organisms
Researchers exposed earthworms and springtails to environmentally realistic mixtures of microplastics commonly found in agricultural soils treated with sewage sludge. They found that earthworms ingested microplastics in proportion to exposure levels, and at higher concentrations, both species showed reduced reproduction. The study provides evidence that real-world microplastic mixtures in farm soils can affect important soil organisms at concentrations already found in the environment.
What do we know about how the terrestrial multicellular soil fauna reacts to microplastic?
This review analyzed published studies on how multicellular soil organisms (including earthworms, mites, springtails, and nematodes) ingest and respond to microplastics, finding that most studies used unrealistically high concentrations and that ecologically relevant effects on soil fauna remain poorly characterized.
Microplastics as Soil Emerging Pollutants: Sublethal Earthworms Answers From Poly(propene) Photodegraded
Researchers exposed the earthworm Eisenia andrei to polypropylene microplastics at various concentrations in soil for 14 days, finding sublethal effects on survival, reproduction, and oxidative stress markers that varied with MP concentration and confirmed ecotoxicological risk to soil invertebrates.
What do we know about how the terrestrial multicellular soil fauna reacts to microplastic?
This review analyzed the available literature on how soil-dwelling animals respond to microplastics and found evidence of uptake, bioaccumulation, and harmful effects across many groups including earthworms, springtails, and beetles. Most studies used high concentrations not yet found in real soils, limiting conclusions about current environmental risks.