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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Quantification and polymeric characterization of microplastics in composts and their accumulation in lettuce
ClearDo microplastic residuals in municipal compost bioaccumulate in plant tissue?
Compost made from municipal organic waste was found to contain microplastic residuals, and this study tested whether those plastics are absorbed by plants grown in the compost. Some plastic residuals were detected in plant tissues, suggesting that microplastics in compost could enter the food chain through agricultural use.
Microplastics identification and quantification in the composted Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste
Researchers quantified microplastics in composted organic municipal solid waste from five facilities, finding contamination levels that raise concerns about compost quality and the potential transfer of microplastics to agricultural soils through organic waste recycling.
Determination and quantification of microplastics in compost
Researchers analyzed commercially available compost products to determine how much microplastic contamination they contain. They found microplastics in all tested composts, with fibers and fragments being the most common forms, primarily made of polyethylene and polypropylene. The findings raise concerns that applying commercial compost to agricultural land may be an overlooked pathway for introducing microplastics into soil.
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.
A systematic review of the occurrence of microplastics in compost: Understanding the abundance, sources, characteristics and ecological risk
Researchers reviewed 19 global studies and found microplastics in virtually all types of compost — including those made from animal manure, sewage sludge, and municipal waste — with concentrations reaching up to 288,000 particles per kilogram in some samples. Since compost is widely applied to farmland, these findings highlight a significant but overlooked pathway for microplastics to enter soils and the food chain.
Microplastic Abundance in the Locally Produced Commercial Compost and the Characteristics
Researchers measured microplastic abundance in locally produced commercial compost, characterizing particle morphology, size, and polymer type. The compost contained measurable microplastic concentrations dominated by polyester fibres and polyethylene fragments, confirming that commercial composting does not eliminate microplastic contamination and may serve as a route for soil plastic input.
Identification and Quantification of Microplastics in Commercial Compost From a Wide Range of Composting Materials and Potential Environmental Impacts
Researchers identified and quantified microplastics in commercial compost derived from household waste, livestock manure, and vegetable straw using acid extraction, filtration, and FTIR spectroscopy. All compost types contained microplastics, with concentrations varying by feedstock type, raising concerns about microplastic introduction to agricultural soils via compost application.
Uptake, Distribution, and Impact of Micro- and Nano-Plastics in Horticultural Systems Using Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) as a Model Crop
Researchers studied how micro- and nanoplastics are taken up and distributed in lettuce grown in horticultural systems, finding that nanopolystyrene exposures significantly inhibited leaf and root development in a concentration-dependent manner. They optimized extraction methods for quantifying microplastics in soil and developed a synthesis procedure for nanoplastic test particles. The study demonstrates that plastic fragments from horticultural materials can accumulate in soil and affect crop growth, raising concerns about food safety.
Plastic particles in urban compost and their grain size distribution
Microplastics in urban compost produced from city greenery were dominated by PET, polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene, with highest concentrations in the 0.63-1.25 mm grain size fraction and an average total concentration of 1368 mg/kg dry matter.
Microplastic Contamination of Composts and Liquid Fertilizers from Municipal Biowaste Treatment Plants: Effects of the Operating Conditions
Researchers measured microplastic contamination in fertilizers produced from municipal organic waste and found that while solid composts generally stayed within regulatory limits, liquid fertilizers from some facilities contained up to 10,000 plastic particles per liter — raising concerns about microplastic inputs to farmland from compost and digestate applications.
Sources of Light Density Microplastic Related to Two Agricultural Practices: The Use of Compost and Plastic Mulch
Researchers measured microplastic contributions to agricultural fields from plastic mulch and compost applications and found that both practices introduced light-density MPs, with compost derived from municipal waste containing diverse polymer types reflecting household plastic consumption.
Contamination of consumer composts by metals, microplastics and other microscopic debris
Researchers measured microplastic, anthropogenic microcellulosic, and heavy metal (copper, zinc, lead) contamination in 18 consumer horticultural compost products -- a data gap given the widespread use of these composts in gardens and allotments. All composts contained measurable microplastic and metal contamination, raising concerns about introducing plastic and chemical pollutants into garden soils.
Unveiling the abundance and potential impacts of microplastic contamination in commercial organic fertilizers/compost produced from different solid waste
Researchers analyzed commercial organic fertilizers made from different waste sources and found microplastics in 80% of the samples, with compost from mixed municipal waste containing the highest levels. The estimated amounts of microplastics being introduced into agricultural soils through these fertilizers exceeded previous reports. The study highlights the need for stricter regulations on organic fertilizer quality to prevent microplastic contamination of farmland.
Effect of microplastics on dry matter content in Lactuca sativa L.
This study tested the effects of microplastic particles on dry matter content in lettuce plants, finding that microplastic exposure affected plant biomass production. As agricultural soils accumulate microplastics, their effects on crop yield and nutritional quality become important food safety concerns.
Microplastic pollution and the related ecological risks of organic composts from different raw materials
Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in 124 organic compost samples made from livestock manure, poultry waste, crop straw, and solid waste, finding that all types contained significant microplastic loads. Solid waste compost had the highest levels while crop straw compost had the lowest, and the particles showed signs of weathering and mineral attachment. The findings suggest that applying organic compost to farmland may be an underappreciated source of microplastic pollution entering agricultural soils.
Compost‐Hosted Microplastics – Municipal Solid Waste Compost
This review examines microplastics hosted in municipal solid waste compost, addressing a gap in research that has largely focused on marine ecosystems, and discussing the sources, prevalence, and potential impacts of microplastics in compost on terrestrial ecosystems, agriculture, and soil health.
Effects of Biodegradable Microplastics on Soil and Lettuce Health: Rhizosphere Microbiome and Metabolome Responses
Researchers tested how two common biodegradable microplastics affect lettuce growth and the microbial communities around its roots. At higher concentrations, both types of biodegradable plastics inhibited lettuce growth and significantly disrupted the balance of beneficial soil microbes and plant metabolic processes. The findings suggest that even plastics marketed as biodegradable can negatively impact soil health and crop development when present in sufficient quantities.
Identification and Quantification of Microplastics in Compost: A case of landfills in Uganda
Researchers surveyed compost sites across 8 cities and 5 municipalities in Uganda, finding microplastics at all locations with fibers being the most abundant type (54.98%), indicating that poor waste management practices are driving plastic contamination into compost used in agriculture.
Microplastic Analysis on Microbial Compost, Vermicompost, and Superworm Compost and Their Ecological Risk Assessment
Researchers found microplastic contamination in all three types of commercial organic compost (microbial, vermicompost, and superworm compost), raising concerns about introducing plastic pollution into agricultural soils through products marketed as environmentally friendly. The ecological risk assessment highlights that even compost used to improve soil health may be a vector for spreading microplastics in food-growing environments.
From waste to resource: unveiling the nexus between compost, microplastics, and agroecosystem
This review examines how compost derived from municipal waste introduces microplastics into agricultural soils, with polypropylene, polyethylene, and PET being the most commonly found polymers. Researchers found that smaller microplastic particles pose greater risks to agroecosystem sustainability, and that even bioplastics can persist as a non-point source of contamination. The study suggests that adding biochar during composting and stricter monitoring of feedstock quality could help reduce microplastic contamination.
Comprehensive understanding of microplastics in compost: Ecological risks and degradation mechanisms
This review examines how microplastics enter soil through compost made from household waste, sewage sludge, and agricultural waste. Microplastics in compost can disrupt soil structure, reduce fertility, and persist in the environment long after application. Since compost is widely used in farming, this represents a significant pathway for microplastics to contaminate agricultural soil and potentially enter the food chain.
Evidence of microplastic accumulation on the surface of lettuce and analysis of contamination sources
Researchers found microplastics on the surface of lettuce grown in real agricultural conditions and traced the contamination to both airborne particles and pesticide sprays. The pesticide application process was identified as a significant but previously overlooked source of microplastics on vegetable surfaces. This study is relevant to human health because it shows that even washed fresh produce may carry microplastics from multiple sources during the growing process.
The Extraction and Characterization of Microplastics of Biocompost and Water Samples Collected from the Different Semi-Urban Agronurseries
Researchers analyzed biocompost and water samples from semi-urban plant nurseries and found microplastic contamination in all samples, with fibers and fragments being the most common types. The microplastics came primarily from plastic packaging and materials used in the composting process. The findings suggest that compost intended for agricultural use may be an unintended source of microplastic pollution in soils.
Micro plastic driving changes in the soil microbes and lettuce growth under the influence of heavy metals contaminated soil
Researchers studied how microplastics interact with heavy metals in contaminated soil and their combined effects on lettuce growth and soil bacteria. Different types of microplastics altered soil chemistry and changed which microbes thrived, sometimes making heavy metals more available to plants. The study suggests that microplastic-contaminated agricultural soil could affect both the safety and nutritional quality of leafy vegetables that people eat.