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Organic boost or health risk? The dual impact of organic amendments in agriculture
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This review examined the dual impact of organic amendments on agricultural soils, discussing how compost and sludge applications simultaneously boost fertility and introduce microplastics and chemical contaminants, requiring careful risk-benefit assessment.
The use of organic amendments in agriculture has long been a cornerstone of sustainable farming, providing essential nutrients and improving soil health. Organic amendments, including animal manure, compost, sewage sludge, and other organic wastes, contribute significantly to enhancing soil physical properties such as water retention, aeration. These amendments supply both macro- and micronutrients, which are vital for restoring soil fertility and supporting crop productivity. By increasing soil organic matter, organic amendments improve soil structure, promote microbial activity, and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers. However, the continuous application of these amendments also presents potential risks to human and environmental health. These materials often contain pollutants such as heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, pathogens, and emerging contaminants like antibiotic residues and microplastics. The presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes in agricultural soils is of particular concern due to their potential to enter the food chain and contribute to the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Furthermore, untreated or improperly managed organic amendments can lead to the accumulation of harmful substances in the soil, posing long-term risks to both human health and the environment. Innovative agronomic practices and effective management strategies are essential to mitigate these risks while harnessing the benefits of organic amendments. Treatment methods, such as composting and anaerobic digestion, can reduce pathogen loads and the concentration of hazardous substances before application to agricultural soils. Additionally, sustainable soil amendment practices, such as the use of green manure, vermicompost, and other organic materials, have been shown to improve soil quality, increase crop yields, and support long-term agricultural productivity. Even though the organic amendments are invaluable for enhancing soil health and agricultural productivity, their use must be carefully managed. A holistic approach that balances the benefits of organic amendments with rigorous safety measures is essential for the future of sustainable agriculture.
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Potential Benefits and Risks for Soil Health Derived From the Use of Organic Amendments in Agriculture
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This review examines the benefits and risks of using organic amendments like compost, manure, and sewage sludge in agriculture. Researchers highlight that while these amendments improve soil health and crop productivity, they can also introduce pollutants including heavy metals, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and microplastics into agricultural soils. The study identifies sewage sludge as a particularly significant source of microplastic contamination in farmland and calls for strategies to mitigate these risks.
How Valuable Are Organic Amendments as Tools for the Phytomanagement of Degraded Soils? The Knowns, Known Unknowns, and Unknowns
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This review evaluates organic soil amendments — including sewage sludge, compost, and manure — as tools for restoring degraded soils, noting both benefits for soil health and risks from contaminant introduction. The discussion is relevant to microplastic research because many organic amendments are known vectors for microplastic contamination in agricultural soils.
Organic matter and microplastics nexus: A comprehensive understanding of the synergistic impact on soil health
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This review examines how microplastics and organic matter interact in soil, finding that common soil additions like compost and sewage sludge are significant sources of microplastic contamination. The interplay between these substances can disrupt nutrient cycling, soil biology, and carbon storage, which ultimately affects the quality of food grown in contaminated soil.
Microplastic pollution of organic waste products used for soil amendment
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Researchers measured microplastic contamination in various organic waste products intended for use as soil amendments, including composts, green waste, manure, and sewage sludge. All materials tested contained microplastics, with types and concentrations varying by source. The findings highlight a significant pathway for microplastic contamination of agricultural soils through the use of organic fertilizers and soil conditioners.
Microplastic pollution of organic waste products used for soil amendment
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Organic materials used as soil amendments — including compost, green waste, manure, and sewage sludge — were analyzed and found to contain microplastics, identifying organic fertilizers as a primary source of agricultural soil contamination. The study quantified microplastic concentrations in different amendment types to improve understanding of the scale of this contamination pathway. The findings support calls for better quality controls on organic waste products used in agriculture to limit microplastic spread through the food production system.
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