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Microplastic pollution in landfill soil: Emerging threats the environmental and public health
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Researchers measured microplastic contamination in soil at a landfill near residential areas in Indonesia and found extremely high levels of over 60,000 particles per kilogram. The most common types were fragments of polyethylene, PVC, polystyrene, and polypropylene. The study raises public health concerns because landfills near populated areas can release microplastics into surrounding soil and water, creating exposure pathways for nearby communities.
Insufficient knowledge about the decomposition of microplastics from plastic waste in landfills hinders community involvement in waste management and sorting, posing a new threat to the environment and public health. The present study identifies, characterizes, and quantifies the microplastics in landfills soil sample to determine the latest threats posed by microplastics in the environment, particularly in landfills that are close to residential areas. This research is a descriptive study, with soil samples taken from six points in landfill site in Depok City. The abundance and shape of microplastics were characterized using a microscope, while the microplastic types were identified using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that the abundance of microplastics in the Depok City landfill soil was 60,111.67 particles/kg, with the largest percentage being fragments at 63 %. FTIR functional group characterization showed the presence of plastic types, such as Polyethylene (PE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polystyrene (PS), Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), and Polyamide. The differences in waste types entering the Depok Landfill caused variations in the number, shape, and type of microplastic samples, and this study provides a foundation for mitigating and biodegrading microplastics in the landfill to minimize environmental impact and protect public health.
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Distribution and ecological risk of microplastics in soil at the Jatibarang landfill in Semarang, Indonesia
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Researchers found up to 2,340 microplastic particles per kilogram of soil at the Jatibarang Landfill in Indonesia, with polypropylene being the most hazardous pollutant based on risk assessment scores. The study highlights that poorly managed landfills — especially those near residential areas — are significant sources of microplastic contamination in surrounding soils.
Microplastics in Landfill Environments: Distribution, Characteristics, and Risks from Gampong Jawa, Indonesia
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Researchers examined microplastic distribution across soil, leachate, river water, and well water surrounding a landfill in Gampong Jawa, Indonesia. They found alarmingly high concentrations in well water (up to 979 particles per liter) and soil (over 23,000 particles per kilogram), with fragments, fibers, and films being the most common types. The study demonstrates that landfills are significant sources of microplastic contamination that can spread to surrounding communities through water and soil pathways.
Microplastic Abundance and Characteristics in The Soil Around the Jambi Talang Gulo Landfill
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Researchers measured microplastic abundance and characterized particle types in soil surrounding the Talang Gulo landfill in Jambi, Indonesia, finding that the high volume of plastic waste at the facility contributes to elevated microplastic contamination in surrounding soils through environmental weathering and fragmentation.
Microplastic Abundance and Characteristics in The Soil Around the Jambi Talang Gulo Landfill
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Researchers measured microplastic abundance and characterized particle types in soil surrounding the Talang Gulo landfill in Jambi, Indonesia, finding elevated microplastic concentrations in areas adjacent to the high-volume waste disposal facility due to fragmentation of plastic debris under environmental weathering.
Microplastic Pollution in Residential Soils
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Researchers collected surface soil from three residential density zones in Surabaya, Indonesia, and characterized microplastics by abundance, shape, color, and polymer type. Microplastics were present in all samples, with concentrations higher in denser residential areas, likely reflecting greater per-capita plastic use and outdoor plastic degradation.
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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.