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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Environmental Sources Human Health Effects Remediation Sign in to save

IMPASSE – Impacts of microplastic in agrosystems and stream environments

Duo Research Archive (University of Oslo) 2021 1 citation ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Luca Nizzetto, Rico Andreu, Kees Van Gestel, Saila Selonen, Jill Crossman, Martyn N. Futter, Anita Jemec Kokalj

Summary

This project report found that applying sewage sludge (biosolids) to farmland is a significant source of microplastics in agricultural soils, with soil contamination increasing with each successive biosolid application. The project emphasized that soil microplastic pollution is irreversible, making prevention more important than remediation.

We found that the application of biosolids from sewage sludge represents an important source of microplastics (MP) to agricultural soils. Soils that received more biosolid treatments in the past exhibit higher levels of MPs, demonstrating progressively increasing pollution. Soil organisms underpinning important ecological and agricultural functions interact with these MPs experiencing sublethal health effects at realistic environmental concentrations. Soil is a non-renewable resource and soil MP pollution is irreversible. To enable sustainable and circular use of sewage sludge, measures that prevent MPs accumulating in it, or that remove them prior to use are necessary.

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