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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Occurrence of emerging and persistent organic pollutants in dumpsite environments: A review
ClearMicroplastic and POP contamination in rural waste-dumping sites, India
Researchers collected soil and water samples from unregulated waste-dumping sites in rural Tamil Nadu, India, finding microplastics in all samples, with polypropylene and polyethylene as the dominant polymers, raising concerns about contamination of drinking water and agricultural land.
Is our food safe? Microplastic occurrence and characteristics in vegetables cultivated in the vicinity of a municipal solid waste dumping ground—insights from Kolkata, India
This Indian study investigated microplastic contamination in vegetables grown near a municipal waste dumping ground in Kolkata, finding MPs in all eleven vegetable types sampled. Leafy vegetables near the dump site had higher MP levels, raising food safety concerns for populations relying on locally grown produce.
Waste dumps as microplastic hotspots: a comparative investigation at urban, suburban, and rural areas of Eastern India and associated risk assessment
This study measured microplastic contamination at waste dump sites across urban, suburban, and rural areas in Eastern India and found concentrations as high as 3,457 particles per kilogram. High-hazard plastics like PVC and polyurethane were present, and riverside dumps showed especially high ecological risk scores. The findings suggest that waste dumps are significant sources of microplastic pollution that can contaminate nearby water and soil used by local communities.
Spatial distribution and ecological risks of microplastics in agricultural soils near a solid waste dumpsite in southwest Bangladesh
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in agricultural soils surrounding a municipal solid waste dumpsite in southwest Bangladesh, characterizing the types, spatial distribution, and ecological risks. They found significant microplastic accumulation in soils near the dump, with contamination levels decreasing at greater distances. The study highlights that waste dumpsites are important point sources of microplastic pollution that can affect the fertility and ecological health of surrounding agricultural lands.
A study on microplastics pollution and contamination from leachate and soil in open dumpsite in Pathum Thani province, Thailand
Researchers measured microplastic contamination in leachate (liquid that drains through waste) and soil at an open dumpsite in Thailand, finding high levels of plastic particles along with toxic heavy metals and harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates. The results show that open dumpsites are major sources of microplastic and chemical contamination that can enter groundwater and food chains.
Open dumping and burning: A source of terrestrial microplastics in underserved communities
Researchers extracted and characterized microplastics from soil surrounding sites where solid waste is openly dumped and burned — a waste management practice common in rural and Indigenous communities globally. The study found significant microplastic contamination even at depth, showing that open dumping is a major but overlooked source of terrestrial microplastic pollution.
Microplastics as an underestimated emerging contaminant in solid organic waste and their biological products: Occurrence, fate and ecological risks
This review identified solid organic waste streams including compost, sewage sludge, and food waste as important but underappreciated repositories of microplastics that can reintroduce particles into agricultural soils and water systems. The authors call for standardized monitoring of microplastics in organic waste before environmental application.
Microplastic pollution unveiled: the consequences of small unregulated dumping in villages, spanning from soil to water
Researchers studied microplastic pollution at unregulated village dumpsites in India and found widespread contamination in the surrounding soil and water. The study identified a variety of plastic types and shapes, including fibers, fragments, and films, moving from dump sites into nearby aquatic environments. This matters because informal waste disposal in rural areas is a largely overlooked source of microplastic pollution that can affect local water quality.
Biofilm-associated microplastic contamination in rural soil and water: emerging hazards to ecosystems
Researchers found significant microplastic contamination in soil and water near rural dumpsites in areas with poor waste management, with polystyrene and PET being the most common plastic types. The microplastic surfaces were colonized by bacteria that showed resistance to the antibiotic streptomycin, highlighting a dual threat of chemical pollution and drug resistance. These findings show that unregulated rural waste disposal creates hotspots where microplastics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria can enter local water supplies.
A review of soil pollution around municipal solid waste landfills in Iran and comparable instances from other parts of the world
This review examines soil pollution around landfills in Iran and worldwide, covering heavy metals, toxic hydrocarbons, and microplastics as major contaminants. In developing countries like Iran, rapid urbanization and inadequate waste management are making the problem worse. The findings underscore that landfills are a significant source of microplastic contamination in surrounding soils and groundwater, posing ongoing risks to nearby communities.
Emerging investigator series: open dumping and burning: an overlooked source of terrestrial microplastics in underserved communities
Researchers investigated open dump and burn sites in Oklahoma and Montana and found microplastic concentrations in soil that equal or exceed levels from known sources like biosolids application. Polyethylene was the dominant polymer, and burned microplastics accounted for up to 97% of particles found, suggesting that waste dumping and burning in underserved communities is a major overlooked source of terrestrial microplastic pollution.
Microplastics in soil: A comprehensive review of occurrence, sources, fate, analytical techniques and potential impacts
This review analyzed microplastic contamination data from 62 sites across 17 countries and found that soil microplastic levels varied enormously depending on land use, with agricultural and urban soils most contaminated. The plastics affected soil organisms, plants, and microorganisms in complex ways, but inconsistent sampling methods across studies make it difficult to compare results and determine safe exposure thresholds.
Microplastics in waste management systems: A review of analytical methods, challenges and prospects
This review examines methods for measuring microplastics across different waste management facilities, including transfer stations, landfills, recycling plants, and composting sites. The study found that recycling and composting facilities are the biggest sources of microplastic pollution among waste treatment methods, with polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common types. The lack of standardized measurement methods makes it difficult to compare results across studies, which slows progress on understanding and reducing microplastic releases from waste systems.
Open dumping site as a point source of microplastics and plastic additives: A case study in Thailand
Researchers characterized an open dumping site in Thailand as a significant point source of both microplastics and plastic additive chemicals in the surrounding environment. They found elevated levels of microplastics and associated contaminants in soil and water samples collected near the dump site. The study highlights that unmanaged waste disposal in developing countries is a major contributor to localized microplastic and chemical pollution.
An overview of the environmental pollution and health effects associated with waste landfilling and open dumping
Researchers reviewed how landfills and open dump sites contaminate groundwater, air, and nearby ecosystems through chemical leaching and gas emissions, causing both cancer-linked and non-cancer health risks for people living nearby. Open dumping — common in developing countries — poses the greatest danger and highlights gaps in global waste management infrastructure.
Assessing emerging and priority micropollutants in sewage sludge: environmental insights and analytical approaches
Researchers reviewed the presence of emerging pollutants, including microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals, in sewage sludge that is commonly applied to agricultural land. They found that current analytical methods are improving but still face challenges in detecting these contaminants at low concentrations in complex sludge samples. The study highlights the environmental risks of spreading pollutant-laden sludge on farmland and calls for better monitoring standards.
Occurrence, distribution, and characteristics of microplastics in agricultural soil around a solid waste treatment center in southeast China
Researchers found microplastic contamination in all agricultural soil samples surrounding a solid waste treatment center in southeastern China, with concentrations up to 2,360 particles per kilogram and evidence that weathered polyethylene and polypropylene particles are accumulating heavy metals on their surfaces.
Sustainable analytical approaches for microplastics in wastewater, sludge, and landfills: Challenges, fate, and green chemistry perspectives
Researchers reviewed how microplastics travel through wastewater, sewage sludge, and landfills into soils and food crops, where they accumulate alongside heavy metals and pharmaceuticals, raising food safety concerns. The study calls for greener analytical methods and standardized reporting to better track and compare microplastic contamination across studies.
Exploring the abundance of microplastics in Indian landfill leachate: An analytical study
Researchers analyzed microplastics in leachate from two major landfills in India and found concentrations of 1,473 to 2,067 particles per liter, with most particles smaller than 100 micrometers. Polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, cellulose acetate, and PVC were the most common plastic types identified. Since landfill leachate can seep into groundwater and nearby water bodies, these findings raise concerns about microplastic contamination of drinking water sources near dump sites.
Microplastics in soils: a review of possible sources, analytical methods and ecological impacts
This review of over 60 studies examines the sources, global distribution, and analytical methods for microplastics in soil, finding that agricultural soils are particularly contaminated via sewage sludge application, plastic mulch, and atmospheric deposition. The authors call for standardized extraction and identification protocols to enable cross-study comparisons.
Plastics and other extraneous matter in municipal solid waste compost: A systematic review of sources, occurrence, implications, and fate in amended soils
Researchers reviewed contamination in municipal compost made from household organic waste, finding plastics are the most prevalent pollutant — with some batches containing enough plastic to deposit over 500 kg per hectare of farmland each year. Repeated use of contaminated compost builds up microplastics in soil, threatening soil health and potentially moving plastic particles into crops and food.
Microplastic pollution in landfill soil: Emerging threats the environmental and public health
Researchers measured microplastic contamination in soil at a landfill near residential areas in Indonesia and found extremely high levels of over 60,000 particles per kilogram. The most common types were fragments of polyethylene, PVC, polystyrene, and polypropylene. The study raises public health concerns because landfills near populated areas can release microplastics into surrounding soil and water, creating exposure pathways for nearby communities.
Occurrence, spatiotemporal trends, fate, and treatment technologies for microplastics and organic contaminants in biosolids: A review
This meta-analysis examines how microplastics and organic pollutants end up in biosolids (treated sewage) and what happens when those biosolids are applied to farmland. The data show that microplastics are among the most common contaminants found in biosolids, raising concerns about long-term buildup in the soils where our food is grown.
Do contaminants compromise the use of recycled nutrients in organic agriculture? A review and synthesis of current knowledge on contaminant concentrations, fate in the environment and risk assessment
This review examines whether recycled nutrients from waste streams, such as sewage sludge and compost, introduce harmful contaminants including microplastics into organic farmland. While levels of heavy metals and many pollutants have decreased in European waste streams, microplastic contamination in agricultural soil remains widespread and poorly understood. The review highlights that spreading waste-derived fertilizers on farmland is a significant pathway for microplastics to enter the food production system.