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The Interaction of Microplastics and Microbioplastics with Soil and a Comparison of Their Potential to Spread Pathogens
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This review compares the environmental impacts of conventional microplastics and biodegradable microbioplastics on soil properties and microbial communities. The authors argue that while bioplastics are often promoted as eco-friendly alternatives, their rapid fragmentation into smaller particles may actually worsen soil contamination and potentially increase the spread of soil-borne pathogens.
Microplastics contribute to various environmental issues and serve as carriers for a wide range of toxic compounds such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and metal ions. Consequently, there is a gradual shift towards replacing them with biodegradable plastics (bioplastics). However, biodegradable plastics require specific conditions for complete biodegradation, and their biodeterioration often leads to the rapid production of smaller fragments, known as microbioplastics. In this review, we summarize selected issues related to the impact of plastic particles on soil properties and the soil microbiome. Findings from numerous studies indicate that both microplastics and microbioplastics induce adverse changes in soil microbiology, potentially increasing the abundance of soil-borne pathogens. Based on these observations, we argue that plastic particles could serve as carriers for colonies of soil-borne pathogens. Furthermore, the use of bioplastics may exacerbate this issue due to their easier and faster formation, increased support for biofilms, and more pronounced adverse effects on soil biota. However, further research is necessary to either substantiate or refute this perspective.
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