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Understanding the effects of Microplastics and persistent organic pollutants' on soil ecosystem services supply
Summary
This research review shows that tiny plastic particles (microplastics) and long-lasting chemical pollutants are harming soil in ways that threaten human wellbeing. These pollutants damage soil's ability to grow healthy food, prevent floods, filter water, and support the plants we depend on for medicine and other resources. When soil gets polluted, it creates a chain reaction that reduces food production and makes our environment less able to protect us from natural disasters.
Anthropogenic activities are a significant source of pollutants that pose substantial risks to both the environment and human health. Among these, microplastics and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are of particular concern due to their persistence and long-term impacts. While the environmental presence and effects of these pollutants are well documented, their specific implications for regulating, provisioning, and cultural ecosystem service (ES) supply remain underexplored. Further research on these topics is essential, as they are critical to human wellbeing. The impacts of microplastics and POPs on ES include negative effects on biogeochemical cycles, macro- and microbiological activity, and plant development. These disruptions contribute to soil degradation and initiate a cascade of adverse effects on ES by altering soil physical, chemical, and biological processes. Soil pollution leads to decreased plant cover and diminishes the capacity to regulate erosion, flooding, climate, pollination, and nutrient cycling. Declining soil fertility subsequently affects the provision of timber, medicinal plants, biomass, and water. Additionally, soil and vegetation degradation are associated with reduced landscape aesthetics and the loss of traditional landscapes, particularly in regions subjected to intensive agroforestry activities. AcknowledgementsThis research was funded by the European Union NextGeneration EU through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, Component 9. I8., grant number 760104/May 23, 2023, code CF 245/November 29, 2022. This work was supported by the project "Sensing, Mapping, Interconnecting: Tools for soil functions and services evaluation" supported by the Romanian Government, Ministry of the Innovation and Digitization through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) PNRR-III-C9-2022-I8, contract no. CF245/29.11.2022.