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Ubiquitous presence of microplastics with implication on soil health and plant development
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This review examines the widespread presence of microplastics in soils worldwide, including in remote regions like the Arctic and Antarctic. Researchers found that agricultural soils contain more microplastics than urban soils due to the heavy use of plastic films and mulches in farming. The study highlights that microplastics alter soil properties, disrupt microbial communities, and affect plant growth, with evidence suggesting they can enter the food chain through crops.
Plastic has become ubiquitous, as it is present in soil, air, fresh, and marine water environments. Microplastic (MPs) pollution has dramatically increased and is found in a range of terrestrial ecosystems, including Arctic and Antarctic. With their tenacity, adaptability, and long-lasting perseverance within the environment, MPs are pervasive and pose a worldwide environmental risk. Their environmental implications are profound and multifaceted. Agroplastics are the common source of plastics found on land. Their abundance in agricultural soils is greater than in urban soils, due to the frequent use of plasticulture. MPs can indirectly or directly have an impact on the functioning of ecosystems and soil-plant health. MPs can change the physicochemical properties of soil, which further affects soil microbial functions and the growth of plants. The interference of MPs can cascade via soil ecosystems and impact production by altering the overall health of the soil, root interactions, and the cycling of nutrients. MPs' presence in agricultural produce clearly suggests their movement into the food chain, predicting danger to human health. A proper understanding of the chemical nature of different types of MPs and collaborative government ventures can offer a possible solution to this global concern. Therefore, the present article highlights the nature and distribution of microplastics in the environment. It also provides insights about the fate of microplastics in soil and plant bodies and their toxicological impact, along with possible remediation strategies.
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