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The impact of large microplastics on the physical behavior of soils: implications to marine sediments
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Researchers tested how PVC microplastic chips alter the physical properties of marine sediment analogues, finding that as little as 1% plastic content by volume irreversibly changed compressibility, strength, stiffness, and hydraulic conductivity — with coarser sediments showing greater sensitivity — raising concerns about long-term seafloor stability as plastic accumulation continues.
Marine plastic pollution has become a major concern as it threatens marine life and human health. Most of the plastic that enters the ocean is either consumed by animals and/or trapped in sediments. However, there is little information on how sediment properties might be affected. In this article, we explore the impact of microplastic inclusions in marine settings by using PVC plastic chips and two soil samples as analogues. We conducted a comprehensive experimental study to investigate changes in compressibility, strength, stiffness, thermal and hydraulic conductivity, and particle migration by varying plastic content. Results show that as low as 1% of plastic content by volume can lead to irreversible consequences in sediment behavior while coarse particles display a heightened sensitivity than pure fines. As plastic content in sediment increases year-by-year, we anticipate significant repercussions in marine life, the future landscape of the seafloor and subsurface phenomena.
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Microplastics in Soils and Sediments: a Review of Characterization, Quantitation, and Ecological Risk Assessment
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Researchers reviewed current methods for detecting and measuring microplastics in soils and sediments, identifying a lack of standardized protocols as a key barrier to comparing findings across studies. The review calls for urgent development of consistent methodologies to better assess the true scale of microplastic pollution in land environments.
Microplastics in Soils and Sediments
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Researchers examine the distribution, persistence, and ecological impacts of microplastics in soils and sediments, documenting their effects on agricultural productivity, soil ecology, and food security as a globally recognized biosphere hazard driven by human activity.
Soil Aggregates and Organic Carbon Transformation in Response to Microplastics Pollution
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Researchers synthesized 131 studies on microplastics in agricultural soils and found that microplastics destabilize soil aggregates, accelerate organic carbon mineralization, and stimulate microbial activity in ways that collectively degrade soil structure and increase carbon loss to the atmosphere.
Review of microplastics in soils: state-of-the-art occurrence, transport, and investigation methods
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This review synthesizes sampling, pretreatment, and analytical methods for detecting microplastics in soil environments, noting that research has largely focused on contamination levels rather than behavioral dynamics and ecological impacts. The authors call for standardized testing protocols and predictive behavior models as microplastic accumulation in agricultural soils increasingly threatens food safety and ecosystem health.
Microplastics in Soils and Sediment: Sources, Methodologies, and Interactions with Microorganisms
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Microplastics in soils and sediments interact with microorganisms in complex ways, affecting microbial community structure and facilitating the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. These interactions highlight that microplastic pollution poses ecological risks beyond physical contamination, potentially disrupting soil health and agricultural systems.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.