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A Systematic Review on Emission, Accumulation, Mechanism, and Toxicity Perspective of Micro‐Nanoplastics in the Soil–Plant Nexus
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This systematic review examines how micro- and nanoplastics enter soil, accumulate in plants, and move through the soil-plant system. The research shows that microplastics alter soil properties, affect plant growth, and can be taken up by crop roots and transported to edible plant parts. This is a direct concern for human health because it means microplastics in agricultural soil may end up in the fruits and vegetables people consume.
ABSTRACT The ubiquitous occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in terrestrial ecosystems has been a significant environmental issue attributable to their recalcitrance and ecotoxicological effects. This review synthesizes the state of knowledge on the contamination of the soil environment by MPs, including sources, transportation processes, adsorption onto soil components, and effects on ecological and human health. It is derived from various human activities and penetrates agricultural soils, urban soils, and natural environments. MPs notably change soil physico‐chemical properties by modifying pH and porosity (~88 mg/kg). It suppresses enzymatic activity (LDPE MPs at 0.50% [w/w] β‐glucosidase [~31%], urease [~14%] as well as dehydrogenase [~41%]) through adsorption and altering the soil microenvironment and disturbs biological indices of soil (~1000 mg/kg), thereby impacting nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and crop yield (PS at 50 mg L −1 in faba beans). MPs also interact, adsorb (through electrostatic binding), and co‐transport heavy metals and pollutants, which increases the toxicity risk in the soil–plant system. In plants, uptake and translocation of MPs (through apoplastic, symplastic, and crack‐entry pathways) are dependent on particle size, charge, and plant species. It has been documented in the edible parts, raising concerns about food safety. MPs' vertical and horizontal transfer is facilitated by soil organisms such as earthworms and insects, affecting ecological processes. Research on MNPs has risen from 2009 to 2025, emphasizing their detection in human tissues and their links to endocrine malfunction, reproductive issues, neurotoxicity, and carcinogenesis. This study highlights the immediate necessity for multidisciplinary research, sustainable plastic alternatives, and efficient mitigation strategies to protect health and ecosystems.
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