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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastic pollution in soil: a case-study from the Raffaele Viviani public park in Naples, Italy
ClearCharacterization of Microplastics and Associated Heavy Metals in Urban Soils Affected by Anthropogenic Littering: Distribution, Spatial Variation, and Influence of Soil Properties
Researchers sampled soils across residential, commercial, and industrial land-use types in urban areas and found microplastics in every location, with polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyamide as the dominant polymer types, at concentrations up to 850,000 particles per kilogram. Heavy metals were also associated with the plastic particles, meaning microplastics in urban soil may serve as combined carriers of chemical toxicants. The findings highlight urban soil as a major but underappreciated reservoir of microplastic pollution.
Microplastic pollution in urban green-belt soil in Shihezi City, China
Researchers found microplastic concentrations ranging from 287 to 3,227 particles per kilogram in urban green-belt soils in Shihezi City, China, with fibers dominating and polystyrene and polyethylene as the primary polymer types, pointing to atmospheric deposition and road runoff as key sources.
The spatial distribution of microplastics in topsoils of an urban environment - Coimbra city case-study
Researchers mapped microplastic contamination across urban soils in Coimbra, Portugal, comparing samples from parks, roadsides, and other land uses. They found microplastics in all soil samples, with higher concentrations in areas with more human activity and artificial surfaces. The study demonstrates that urban soils are significant reservoirs of microplastic pollution and that land use patterns strongly influence contamination levels.
Urban soil microplastic characterization across diverse land use types along the Anyangcheon stream in Seoul, Korea
Researchers characterized microplastic contamination in urban soils along the Anyangcheon stream in Seoul, South Korea, across three different land-use types. They found microplastics at all sampling locations, with variations in abundance and polymer composition between high schools, park playgrounds, and residential areas. The study provides new data on the spatial distribution of soil microplastics in densely populated urban settings and their potential relationship to nearby waterways.
Microplastics occurrence and frequency in soils under different land uses on a regional scale
A regional-scale survey measured microplastic occurrence in soils under different land uses (agricultural, urban, natural), finding that concentrations varied by land use type and that real-world field concentrations were often lower than those used in laboratory ecotoxicology studies.
Parks and Recreational Areas as Sinks of Plastic Debris in Urban Sites: The Case of Light-Density Microplastics in the City of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Researchers found that parks and recreational areas in Amsterdam act as significant sinks for light-density microplastics, with artificial turf infill, tire rubber, and film fragments as dominant types, suggesting urban green spaces accumulate substantial plastic pollution from recreational and maintenance activities.
Distribution of Microplastics in an Urban Soil:The Case of a Medium-Sized Cityin the Central Valley of Chile
Researchers systematically sampled soils across an entire Chilean city and found microplastics at 95% of sampling sites, with plastic fibers making up 68% of the particles detected. The near-universal contamination signals that urban soils are a widespread and underappreciated reservoir of microplastic pollution.
Urban Microplastic Pollution Revealed by a Large-Scale Wetland Soil Survey
Researchers conducted a large-scale survey of wetland soils across an urban area and found an average of 379 microplastic particles per kilogram, with abundance closely linked to proximity to the city's economic center. Polypropylene was the most common polymer type, and fiber and fragment shapes dominated the samples. The study found that atmospheric particle pollution and heavy metal concentrations in soil were strongly correlated with microplastic levels, suggesting shared urban pollution sources.
Microplastics in Urban Soils From Different Land Use Activities of Cyberjaya (Malaysia): Exploring Occurrence, Relationships, Sources and Pollution Level
Researchers surveyed urban soils across five different land uses in Cyberjaya, Malaysia, and found microplastics in all of them, with construction areas showing the highest concentrations. The types of plastic particles varied by location, suggesting that the sources and characteristics of soil microplastic contamination depend on what activities take place in that area.
Temporal and spatial distribution of microplastics in green infrastructures: Rain gardens
Researchers measured temporal and spatial distribution of microplastics in green areas including parks and urban forests, finding particles across all sampled sites with concentration patterns influenced by proximity to roads, human activity, and atmospheric deposition. The results indicate that even urban green spaces are not free from microplastic contamination.
Global concentrations of microplastic in soils, a review
This global review synthesized data from studies on microplastic concentrations in soils worldwide, finding contamination across diverse terrestrial environments with higher levels near urban areas and agricultural land. Terrestrial soils are estimated to contain far more microplastic than the world's oceans, making them a critical but understudied reservoir of plastic pollution.
Microplastic Pollution in Residential Soils
Researchers collected surface soil from three residential density zones in Surabaya, Indonesia, and characterized microplastics by abundance, shape, color, and polymer type. Microplastics were present in all samples, with concentrations higher in denser residential areas, likely reflecting greater per-capita plastic use and outdoor plastic degradation.
Anthropogenic-vegetation dual controls on the hotspots of microplastic pollution in urban green space soil
Researchers investigated microplastic and phthalate ester contamination in urban green space soils across diverse land uses in Guangzhou, China, finding average MP abundances of 2,117 items/kg with significant spatial variability. Residential areas, street edges, and heavily trafficked zones were identified as hotspots, with both human activity and vegetation type driving contamination patterns.
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.
Children's playgrounds contain more microplastics than other areas in urban parks
Researchers measured microplastic contamination in sand, soil, and leaf samples from 19 children's playgrounds in Los Angeles urban parks. The study found that microplastic concentrations inside playgrounds were on average more than five times greater than in other park areas, with polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common polymers, suggesting that playground plastic structures may be a significant local source.
Distribution of microplastics in soil by types of land use in metropolitan area of Seoul
Researchers collected soil samples from five types of land in Seoul — farms, roadsides, residential areas, parks, and forests — and found microplastics in all of them, with agricultural land and roadsides showing the highest concentrations. Common plastic types included polyethylene and polypropylene, highlighting how everyday land use spreads microplastic contamination even far from obvious pollution sources.
Microplastics in urban soils of Nanjing in eastern China: Occurrence, relationships, and sources
Researchers surveyed microplastics in urban green space soils across Nanjing, China, finding an average abundance of 461 particles per kilogram with fibers and fragments as the dominant forms. Source analysis linked microplastic patterns to nearby delivery and recycling activity points, suggesting that urban logistics infrastructure is an underrecognized microplastic source.
The extent and impacts of soil pollution by microplastics
This study examines the extent and impacts of soil pollution by microplastics, reviewing evidence of how microplastic particles accumulate in terrestrial environments and affect soil ecosystems, organisms, and agricultural systems.
Low-Density Microplastics in Recreational Parks of Al Ain, United Arab Emirates: Abundance, Composition, and Potential Effects on Soil Health
Researchers collected soil samples from recreational parks in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates and found varying levels of low-density microplastics caused by activities such as sludge application and use of reclaimed wastewater. The most common types were fibers and fragments made of polyethylene and polypropylene. The study suggests that urban recreational parks serve as accumulation sites for microplastic debris, raising concerns about soil health and the potential for human exposure in public spaces.
A global review on the abundance and threats of microplastics in soils to terrestrial ecosystem and human health
This review examines microplastic pollution levels across agricultural, roadside, urban, and landfill soils worldwide, finding wide variation but consistent contamination. Microplastics alter soil pH, density, and water movement, disrupt microbial communities, inhibit plant growth, and affect soil animals. For humans, the concern is that microplastics in soil can enter the food chain through crops and contaminated water.
Co-occurrence of macroplastics, microplastics, and legacy and emerging plasticisers in UK soils
Researchers documented the co-occurrence of macroplastics, microplastics, and both legacy and emerging plasticizers in UK soils across various land uses, establishing empirical links between plastic debris and chemical plasticizer contamination in terrestrial environments.
Microplastic pollution in terrestrial environment: Identification, characterization, and risk assessment in Indore, Central India
Researchers measured microplastic contamination in soil from agricultural and recreational areas in Indore, India. Recreational sites had about six times more microplastic particles than farmland, with most particles made of common plastics like PET and polypropylene. While the ecological risk was rated low for now, the long-term buildup of these particles in soil could eventually pose threats to crops and the food chain.
Microplastic diversity, risks and soil impacts: A multi-metric assessment across land-use systems
Researchers surveyed microplastic abundance, polymer diversity, and ecological risk across seven land-use types in India's Brahmaputra Valley, finding that built-up areas had the highest particle counts while forest soils paradoxically showed the greatest polymer hazard scores due to high-risk polymers, and that land-use type shapes both the quantity and composition of soil microplastic contamination.
Environmental fate and impacts of microplastics in soil ecosystems: Progress and perspective
This review summarized knowledge on microplastics in soil environments, covering occurrence across agricultural, industrial, and urban soils, transport pathways, and ecological risks to soil organisms and plant communities. The authors identify key data gaps and methodological challenges that currently limit understanding of microplastic fate and impact in terrestrial systems.