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Urban Microplastic Pollution Revealed by a Large-Scale Wetland Soil Survey
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Researchers conducted a large-scale survey of wetland soils across an urban area and found an average of 379 microplastic particles per kilogram, with abundance closely linked to proximity to the city's economic center. Polypropylene was the most common polymer type, and fiber and fragment shapes dominated the samples. The study found that atmospheric particle pollution and heavy metal concentrations in soil were strongly correlated with microplastic levels, suggesting shared urban pollution sources.
Microplastics (MPs), as a new persistent pollutant, can be emitted and accumulated in urban environments, but there is no detailed information on the driving factors of MP pollution. In this study, through a large-scale wetland soil survey, the features of MPs were characterized in each urban area. The results showed an average abundance to be 379 n/kg in wetland soil. Polypropylene, fiber or fragment, and black color were common composition, shape, and color, respectively. The spatial distribution information showed that MP abundance was significantly relevant to the distance from the urban economic center. Furthermore, the correlation and regression analysis revealed that MP abundance was related to soil heavy metal and atmospheric particle (PM10 and PM2.5) concentrations (P < 0.05), while the promotion of socioeconomic activities (urbanization level, population density, etc.) may aggravate the pollution degree. Additionally, by using structural equation modeling, it was found that the urbanization level was the dominant factor driving the MP pollution degree, with a total effect coefficient of 0.49. Overall, this work provides multi-sided environmental information regarding MP pollution in urban ecosystems, which is significant for follow-up studies of MP pollution control and restoration.
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Researchers tested soils from cities, farmland, grassland and forests, finding microplastics in every sample, with city soils most contaminated. The main plastics found were PE, PP and PVC, and their mix differed from compost and sewage sludge samples, suggesting soil plastic types partly reflect these waste sources alongside other local factors.
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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.