0
Article Tier 2 Environmental Sources Sign in to save

Microplastics as pollutants in agricultural soils

Environmental Pollution 2020 747 citations

AI summary Read the abstract

This review examines how microplastics end up in agricultural soils through sewage sludge application, wastewater irrigation, plastic mulch films, and atmospheric deposition. Researchers found that microplastics interact with soil organisms and can alter soil structure and microbial communities, but standardized detection methods are still lacking. The study highlights the need for research on how microplastics move through soil, their effects on crop health, and global policies to address this growing agricultural concern.

Body Systems
Study Type Environmental

Microplastics (MPs) as emerging persistent pollutants have been a growing global concern. Although MPs are extensively studied in aquatic systems, their presence and fate in agricultural systems are not fully understood. In the agricultural soils, major causes of MPs pollution include application of biosolids and compost, wastewater irrigation, mulching film, polymer-based fertilizers and pesticides, and atmospheric deposition. The fate and dispersion of MPs in the soil environment are mainly associated with the soil characteristics, cultivation practices, and diversity of soil biota. Although there is emerging pollution of MPs in the soil environment, no standardized detection and quantification techniques are available. This study comprehensively reviews the sources, fate, and dispersion of MPs in the soil environment, discusses the interactions and effects of MPs on soil biota, and highlights the recent advancements in detection and quantification methods of MPs. The prospects for future research include biomagnification potency, cytotoxic effects on human/animals, nonlinear behavior in the soil environment, standardized analytical methods, best management practices, and global policies in the agricultural industry for the sake of sustainable development.

More Papers Like This

Article Tier 2

Analysis and Effects of Microplastics in the Agricultural Soils

AI summary Read the abstract

This review summarizes current knowledge about microplastic contamination in agricultural soils, including how it gets there (mulch films, sewage sludge, irrigation) and what effects it has on soil health. The authors highlight the lack of standardized methods for sampling and testing soil, which limits understanding of the true extent of the problem.

Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Agricultural Soils

AI summary Read the abstract

This review covers the presence of microplastics in agricultural soils, examining how plastic mulches, irrigation water, sewage sludge, and atmospheric deposition contribute to farmland contamination. It discusses effects on soil organisms and the risk of microplastics entering the food chain through crops.

Article Tier 2

Microplastics in agricultural soils: sources, impacts, and mitigation strategies

AI summary Read the abstract

This review summarizes how microplastics enter agricultural soils through wastewater irrigation, plastic mulch breakdown, and atmospheric deposition, where they alter soil structure, microbial communities, and water retention. The particles can also carry heavy metals and organic pollutants into the food chain, threatening both crop productivity and human health, making it important to reduce plastic use in farming and improve waste management.

Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Agricultural Soils: An Emerging Threat to Soil Health, Microbial Ecology, Crop Productivity, and Food Safety

AI summary Read the abstract

This review examines how microplastics accumulate in agricultural soils from sources like plastic mulch, sewage sludge, and atmospheric deposition. Researchers found that these particles can disrupt soil microbial communities, harm plant health, and potentially enter the human food chain. The study highlights the urgent need for mitigation strategies to address this growing but often overlooked form of pollution in farmland.

Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in agriculture soil: An updated review

AI summary Read the abstract

This review provides an updated overview of microplastic contamination in agricultural soils, covering sources including plastic mulching, sewage irrigation, contaminated rainwater, and atmospheric deposition. Researchers highlight how microplastics alter soil structure, fertility, and microbial diversity, with potential implications for crop health and food safety. The study calls for development of cost-effective detection methods for rapid identification of microplastics in soil systems.

Research digests by email

When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.

Email me about

Share this paper