We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effects of microplastics on the hydraulic properties and pore characteristics of compacted soil
Summary
Researchers investigated how polyethylene microplastics affect the hydraulic properties and pore structure of compacted soil, finding that higher microplastic concentrations disrupted pore size distribution and reduced saturated hydraulic conductivity while altering water retention capacity.
As emerging persistent pollutants, microplastics have become widely distributed in natural environments. Current research primarily focuses on the effects of microplastics on uncompacted or lightly compacted soils. However, the effects of microplastics on compacted soils remain unclear and require an urgent investigation. Therefore, this study used polyethylene particles as microplastics to investigate their effects on the hydraulic properties (saturated hydraulic conductivity, water retention capacity, and water stability) and pore characteristics (porosity and pore size distribution) of compacted clayey soil. As the concentration of microplastics increased, the saturated hydraulic conductivity of compacted soil decreased, while the water retention capacity and water stability increased. The addition of microplastics reduced the porosity of compacted soil, decreasing the volume of inter-aggregate pores and increasing the volume of intra-aggregate pores. The percentage of macropores (>4 μm) decreased, while the percentage of micropores (<0.04 μm) increased. The changes in the hydraulic properties of compacted soil were mainly due to the alteration of its pore characteristics by microplastics. Overall, large-sized microplastics exhibited a greater impact than small-sized microplastics. In contrast to uncompacted or lightly compacted soils, the properties of compacted soils were significantly affected by microplastics at the environmentally relevant concentrations (0.5 wt%). This study reveals the mechanisms by which microplastics affect the hydraulic properties and pore characteristics of compacted soil, providing insights into the potential impacts and risks of microplastic pollution in the soil environment. • Microplastics reduce the saturated hydraulic conductivity of compacted soil. • Microplastics increase water retention and water stability of compacted soil. • Microplastics reduce inter-aggregate pores and increase intra-aggregate pores. • Higher concentrations and larger sizes of microplastics have pronounced effects. • Compacted soil is significantly affected at environmentally relevant concentration.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Concentration‐ and Size‐Dependent Influences of Microplastics on Soil Hydraulic Properties and Water Flow
Researchers investigated how microplastic concentration and particle size affect soil hydraulic properties and water flow. They found that microplastic contamination reduced saturated conductivity by up to 50% and inhibited water infiltration, with higher concentrations and larger particle sizes leading to weaker soil water-holding capacity.
Water retention and hydraulic properties of a natural soil subjected to microplastic contaminations and leachate exposures
Researchers studied how microplastic contamination affects the water-holding and flow properties of compacted soil, a scenario relevant to engineering applications like landfill liners. They found that microplastics altered the soil's ability to retain water and changed both saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, with effects varying by particle size and leachate age. The study suggests that microplastic-contaminated soils may behave differently than expected in engineered structures.
Effect of Polypropylene Microplastic on Soil Water Characteristic Curve
Researchers experimentally measured the effect of polypropylene microplastics of varying sizes and concentrations on the soil water characteristic curve of silty sand, finding that microplastic addition alters soil pore structure in ways that modify water retention and drainage behavior with implications for agricultural productivity.
Effects of Microplastics on Soil Hydraulic Properties
Researchers investigated how pristine and UV-weathered polypropylene granules and polyester fibers affect soil hydraulic properties in a silt loam soil, finding that microplastic incorporation altered bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity, water holding capacity, and aggregate stability in ways that depended on particle shape and weathering state.
Saturated hydraulic conductivity in microplastics incorporated soils: Effects of soil texture, polymer type, particle size, and concentration
Researchers measured saturated hydraulic conductivity in loam and sandy loam soils amended with PET, PVC, and PE microplastics of two size classes, finding that PET particles in sandy loam produced the highest conductivity values and that polymer hydrophobicity and particle size both influence soil water flow.