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Microplastic pollution in soil and groundwater: a review
Summary
This review examines microplastic contamination in soil and groundwater, which has received less attention than ocean pollution. Littering is the main source of soil microplastics globally, and fibers and pellets are the most common shapes found. The contamination is harmful to soil organisms like earthworms and nematodes, can alter soil properties, and poses potential risks to human health through groundwater used for drinking.
Plastic particles of less than 5 mm size, referred as microplastics, have recently become a major environmental issue. While microplastics are well known in marine and lake systems, there have been less investigations in soils and groundwater. Here we review the origin, shape, impact, and mitigation strategies of soil and groundwater microplastics. We found that littering is the main origin of microplastics in global topsoils, while greenhouses are the main source of microplastics in South Korea. Fibers and pellets are dominant microplastic shapes in soil and groundwater. Microplastic contamination of soil and groundwater is detrimental to human health, plants, nematodes, earthworms, and soil properties. Remediation methods include pyrolysis, replacing plastics by biodegradable plastics, plastic filtration, and subsequent chemical or biological degradation.