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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to The distribution of pristine and aged low density polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics in soil aggregate fractions
ClearThe distribution of pristine and aged low density polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics in soil aggregate fractions
Researchers investigated how pristine and artificially weathered low-density polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics redistribute across soil aggregate fractions during aggregation, adding particles at low concentration to silt loam and loam soils amended with organic matter over a two-month incubation period. They found that weathering significantly altered microplastic surface properties, which in turn affected how particles interacted with and distributed within soil aggregate fractions during soil formation.
The Re-distribution of Pristine and Aged Microplastics (<50 µm) in Soil Aggregate Fractions
Researchers investigated how pristine and aged microplastics smaller than 50 micrometers redistribute among soil aggregate fractions during aggregation in two soil textures amended with organic matter, finding that aggregate formation actively partitions microplastics in ways influenced by soil texture and particle aging.
Aging reduces the negative effect of low-density polyethylene microplastics on soil-plant-microbial systems
This study compared the effects of original and UV-aged low-density polyethylene microplastics at two particle sizes on soil properties, plant performance, and microbial communities. Aging reduced the negative impacts of LDPE microplastics, suggesting that environmental weathering partially mitigates the harm these particles cause to soil-plant-microbe systems.
Effects of microplastic aging on its detectability and physico-chemical properties in loess and sandy soil
This study compared fresh microplastics to aged particles collected from soil and found that weathering significantly changes their physical and chemical properties, including making them more mobile. Aged microplastics may behave very differently in the environment than the pristine particles typically used in laboratory studies.
Microplastic alteration in agricultural soils across Europe: Comparative study of MPs inside and outside soil aggregates over two years
Researchers tracked microplastic aging inside and outside soil aggregates in European agricultural soils over two years, comparing fields in multiple countries. Microplastics enclosed within aggregates showed less physicochemical aging than surface-exposed particles, suggesting that aggregate formation can temporarily protect plastics from degradation and prolong their persistence in soil.
Impact of microplastic types and aging degrees on the transport behavior of marine oil spills
The transport behavior of microplastics through soil was found to vary significantly based on both the type of plastic polymer and the degree of aging (weathering), with aged particles generally showing different mobility than virgin ones. This means predictions of microplastic spread in soils must account for the weathering state of the particles.
Influence of polymer age and soil aggregation on microplastic transport in soil erosion events
Researchers compared the transport rates of pristine and aged polystyrene microplastics during simulated rainfall events and quantified their incorporation into soil aggregates across multiple wet-dry cycles, providing the first empirical data on how surface roughness and hydrophobicity changes from weathering affect MP mobility in soil erosion.
The impact of microplastic weathering on interactions with the soil environment: a review
This review examines how weathering — exposure to UV light, moisture, and physical forces — changes the surface properties of microplastics and affects their interactions with soil. Weathered microplastics behave differently in the environment, potentially altering soil structure and the movement of water and nutrients.
Comparing the long-term responses of soil microbial structures and diversities to polyethylene microplastics in different aggregate fractions
Long-term soil incubation with polyethylene microplastics found that MPs altered aggregate stability, inhibited soil enzyme activities, and changed microbial community structure and diversity differently across soil aggregate size fractions, with effects persisting over time.
Influence of microplastics on soil aggregate formation: Insights into biological binding agents
A laboratory experiment found that polyethylene microplastics in different shapes (granules, fibers, and films) and aging states significantly alter how soil particles clump together into aggregates, with effects depending on the plastic's shape and the soil's organic matter content. Disruption of soil aggregation by microplastics matters because aggregate structure controls water retention, aeration, and microbial habitat — all fundamental to healthy, productive soils.
Microplastic effects on soil aggregation in sterilized and non-sterilized soils
Researchers tested how microplastics affect soil aggregate stability in both sterilized and non-sterilized soils, finding that microbial activity mediates much of the structural impact and that plastic type influences aggregation differently depending on soil biology.
Soil structures and immobilization of typical contaminants in soils in response to diverse microplastics
Soil column experiments with polyethylene, polyacrylonitrile, and PET microplastics at 0.5% by weight found that all three polymer types altered soil aggregate structure and affected the mobility of the hydrophobic organic contaminant phenanthrene and heavy metals through the soil profile. PET MPs most strongly changed soil structure and increased phenanthrene leaching, while PAN MPs had the greatest effect on heavy metal mobility.
The association of microplastics with water-stable aggregates formed under controlled conditions
Researchers compiled data examining how microplastics associate with water-stable soil aggregates formed under controlled laboratory conditions, providing a dataset supporting the linked publication on microplastic-soil aggregate interactions.
The association of microplastics with water-stable aggregates formed under controlled conditions
Researchers compiled data from a controlled study examining the association between microplastics and water-stable soil aggregates, providing the underlying dataset for the linked publication on microplastic-aggregate interactions.
Small-size polyethylene and polylactic microplastic alterations on soil aggregate formation with soil sterilization
Researchers tested how small polyethylene and polylactic acid microplastics affect the formation of soil clumps, called aggregates, which are important for healthy soil structure. The microplastics changed aggregate stability through physical interactions rather than by harming soil microbes. This matters because soil structure affects how well crops grow, and widespread microplastic contamination in agricultural fields could subtly alter soil quality.
Effects of the oversized microplastic pollution layer on soil aggregates and organic carbon at different soil depths
Researchers examined how oversized microplastic pollution layers in soil affect aggregate stability and organic carbon at different depths, finding that plastic films disrupted soil aggregate formation and altered carbon distribution, with effects varying by soil depth and plastic concentration.
Microplastics effects on wettability, pore sizes and saturated hydraulic conductivity of a loess topsoil
Researchers tested how polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene microplastics at concentrations already found in farmland soils affect key physical properties of agricultural soil. They found that adding microplastics reduced the soil's ability to conduct water and hold moisture, with larger particles at higher concentrations causing the greatest changes. The study suggests that microplastic accumulation in agricultural soils could alter water movement and availability in ways that may affect crop growth.
Microplastics in agricultural soils : effects on physical, chemical, and microbiological processes
This thesis examines how pristine and degraded conventional microplastics (polyethylene and PET) and biodegradable microplastics (PBAT) affect soil physical, chemical, and microbial properties across silty loam and sandy loam soils, integrating five studies involving greenhouse and laboratory experiments to assess impacts on aggregation, water-holding capacity, carbon storage, respiration, nutrient cycling, and microbial community composition.
Size- and concentration-dependent effects of microplastics on soil aggregate formation and properties
This study tested how polyethylene microplastics of different sizes and amounts affect soil structure, finding that smaller particles cause more damage. As microplastics break down into smaller pieces over time, they increasingly disrupt soil aggregates, reduce water stability, and alter soil density. This matters for human health because degraded soil affects food production and can change how contaminants move through the environment.
Impact of Degradation of Polyethylene Particles on Their Cytotoxicity
Researchers found that degradation of polyethylene particles altered their cytotoxicity, with weathered and fragmented PE showing different toxic effects on cells compared to pristine particles, suggesting environmental aging changes microplastic health risks.
Plastics in Agricultural and Urban Soils: Interactions with Plants, Micro-Organisms, Inorganic and Organic Pollutants: An Overview of Polyethylene (PE) Litter
This review examines how polyethylene plastic, one of the most common plastics, behaves in both farm and city soils and interacts with plants, soil microbes, and other pollutants. Microplastics in soil can change nutrient availability, alter microbial communities, and carry other contaminants like heavy metals. These changes could ultimately affect the safety and nutritional quality of crops grown in contaminated soil.
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.
Polymer-specific impacts of microplastics on mineral retention and soil stability
A laboratory study tested six common plastic polymers in soil and found polymer-specific effects on mineral retention and soil aggregate stability, with some MPs reducing soil structure while others had minimal impact, depending on polymer chemistry and surface interactions with soil particles.
Research trends of microplastics in the soil environment: Comprehensive screening of effects
Researchers synthesized 106 datasets on microplastic effects on soil parameters, finding that polyethylene pellets and powders dominate experimental designs and that significant effects occurred across broad size ranges, while highlighting gaps in current soil microplastic research.