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Microplastics in terrestrial environments: Reviewing current understanding to determine the positive and negative aspects of soil
Summary
This review examines microplastics in terrestrial soils, covering sources, distribution, and effects on soil health and organisms. It finds both negative impacts — reduced soil function, harm to earthworms and plants — and some neutral effects, highlighting significant research gaps.
Plastic production and disposal have grown to be serious issues for the future of the world. The long lifespan and extensive use of synthetic polymers have contributed to the occurrence of plastic waste in the environment on a global scale. Plastic, which can be found in soils, species that live in and around soil, and adjacent to plants, is a novel stressor. There is very little known about the prevalence of microplastics in terrestrial systems. This paper provides an extensive overview of the current understanding of the causes, manifestations, impact and dangers of microplastic pollution in terrestrial (agricultural) settings.