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The impact of disposable mask waste pollution in peat soil
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This study assessed the impact of disposable face mask waste on peat soil quality and capillary water properties in Indonesia, where mask disposal increased sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic. Three reactor systems with peat soil containing buried mask waste were monitored over 45 days, tracking physical, chemical, and biological soil properties and plant growth. The findings show that secondary microplastics released from decomposing masks degrade peat soil structure and water-holding capacity.
Abstract The abundance of plastic waste in Indonesia has increased due to the contribution of disposable masks waste during the COVID-19 pandemic. The improper waste management causes the habit of dumping waste in the soil system to still frequently occur. The secondary microplastics from disposable mask waste has the potential to damage soil quality and soil capillary water. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of understanding the effects of disposable mask waste in peat soil. The research was conducted by setting up 3 reactors containing peat soil with disposable mask waste buried in it and some plants being grown on it. For 45 days, observations and samples were taken, both filtrate water and soil for analysis. The analysis results showed significant changes in soil properties with changes in the concentration of inorganic matter, organic matter, porosity, bulk density, and water content. Further research needs to be done to see the effects of disposable mask waste in the soil system in real conditions where several confounding variables cannot be controlled.
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Researchers assessed the microbial degradability of polypropylene-based disposable surgical face masks in soil using a 6-month microcosm experiment at 25 degrees C, measuring CO2 production and using solid-state NMR to characterize degradation products. They found that roughly 4-5% of mask carbon was rapidly mineralized but identified slow-pool mean residence times of 7 to 28 years for the remaining material, suggesting microbial PP degraders exist in soil though mask persistence is prolonged.
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