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Microplastic Pollution in Agricultural Soils of Lima, Peru
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The first microplastic survey of agricultural soils in Lima, Peru found contamination at all four sampled sites, with polyethylene and polypropylene spheres under 100 micrometers most prevalent, linked to outdoor washing and contaminated irrigation water. Microplastic pollution in farmland soils is a global issue now confirmed in South America, raising concerns about plastics entering the food supply through crops grown in contaminated soil.
Microplastics (MPs) in soil may release toxic additives such as plasticizers, disrupting microbial communities and impairing essential soil functions like nutrient cycling. Furthermore, soil organisms, including earthworms and springtails, may ingest these particles, leading to reduced growth, reproduction, and overall soil health. Despite these concerns, there is still a lack of knowledge regarding the presence of MPs in the agricultural soils of Peru. The present study investigates MP pollution in agricultural soils in Lima, Peru, marking the first analysis of its kind in this region. Soil samples from four agricultural plots were collected and analyzed for MP concentration, morphology, color, size, and polymer composition. MPs were detected in all sites, with a mean concentration of 2.60 MPs/g of soil. The most prevalent morphotypes were black spheres within the size range of 10–100 μm (64.7%). Polymer identification revealed the presence of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinylchloride (PVC), and polystyrene (PS). Statistical analyses indicated significant differences in MP concentrations across sampling sites. The findings suggest that specific local activities, such as outdoor washing and atmospheric deposition, are potential sources of MP contamination, alongside irrigation with contaminated urban river water. The present study highlights the critical need for further research to understand the implications of MP contamination on soil health and agricultural productivity. Future work should address analytical and sampling limitations to comprehensively assess the sources, pathways, and impacts of MPs in the region's agricultural soils.
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