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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Terrestrial Isopods Generate Microplastics from Low-Density Polyethylene Without Effects on Survival
ClearSoil Invertebrates Generate Microplastics From Polystyrene Foam Debris
Researchers demonstrated that four common soil invertebrates—crickets, isopods, beetle larvae, and snails—can physically fragment polystyrene foam into microplastics, revealing that soil organisms actively contribute to microplastic generation rather than just being affected by it.
Plastic bag and facial cleanser derived microplastic do not affect feeding behaviour and energy reserves of terrestrial isopods
Researchers fed terrestrial isopods microplastic particles derived from plastic bags and facial scrub beads for 14 days at realistic concentrations and detected no effects on feeding rate, food assimilation, body mass, survival, or energy reserves, suggesting that short-term microplastic exposure at these particle sizes is not acutely harmful to this common soil invertebrate.
No short-term response of microbial or isopod-driven litter decomposition to microplastics
Researchers conducted controlled microcosm experiments testing whether microplastics at increasing concentrations affect microbially driven and isopod-driven decomposition of plant litter in soil over one month. Neither microorganism nor isopod decomposition rates were significantly altered by microplastic concentrations tested, suggesting that short-term litter breakdown may be more resilient to plastic contamination than other soil processes.
Influence of microplastics on feeding and energy reserves of terrestrial isopods Porcellio scaber
Researchers exposed land-dwelling pill bugs to food contaminated with microplastics at concentrations found in compost heaps, and measured effects on feeding behavior and energy reserves in the digestive gland. The study investigated whether environmentally realistic microplastic levels in soil affect terrestrial invertebrates, which are important links in soil food webs.
Plastic pollution in terrestrial ecosystems: Current knowledge on impacts of micro and nano fragments on invertebrates
This review summarizes research on how micro- and nanoplastics affect soil-dwelling invertebrates like earthworms and insects, finding that effects vary widely depending on plastic type, shape, concentration, and exposure time. While no broad conclusions could be drawn, the documented sublethal effects on soil organisms could disrupt the soil ecosystems that support the crops humans depend on for food.
Ingestion and fragmentation of plastic carrier bags by the amphipod Orchestia gammarellus: Effects of plastic type and fouling load
Researchers found that the amphipod Orchestia gammarellus can ingest and physically fragment plastic carrier bags, with gut transit further modifying the debris, demonstrating that detritivores may contribute to secondary microplastic generation in marine habitats.
Earthworms on a microplastics diet
Researchers found that environmentally relevant concentrations of polyethylene microplastics added to plant litter on soil surfaces led to reduced growth and elevated mortality in the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris, and that earthworms may themselves transport ingested microplastics deeper into soils.
Responses of earthworms exposed to low-density polyethylene microplastic fragments
Researchers exposed earthworms to low-density polyethylene microplastic fragments at various concentrations and studied the effects on their survival, growth, and reproduction. The microplastics affected earthworm behavior and caused measurable changes depending on concentration and exposure time. Since earthworms are critical for soil health and nutrient cycling, their sensitivity to microplastics raises concerns about how plastic pollution may degrade agricultural soils.
Effect of Macroplastic on Soil Invertebrates: a Case Study Using Morphological and Molecular Approaches
Large plastic fragments — not just microplastics — were found to harm soil invertebrate communities in Russia, reducing diversity and abundance in contaminated plots, suggesting that macroplastic pollution poses underappreciated risks to soil ecosystems.
Microplastic digestion generates fragmented nanoplastics in soils and damages earthworm spermatogenesis and coelomocyte viability
Researchers discovered that earthworms can fragment polyethylene microplastics into even smaller nanoplastics through their digestive process in soil. The study also found that microplastic exposure damaged earthworm reproductive cells and immune cells, suggesting that the biological breakdown of microplastics in soil creates smaller particles that may be even more concerning for ecosystem health.
The digestive system of a cricket pulverizes polyethylene microplastics down to the nanoplastic scale
This study found that crickets (Gryllodes sigillatus) physically ground ingested polyethylene microplastics down to nanoplastic-scale particles through their digestive processes, a finding with implications for how insects contribute to nanoplastic generation and dispersal in terrestrial ecosystems.
Sublethal effects of microplastics sourced from polypropylene agricultural plastics on four soil invertebrate species
Four soil invertebrate species were exposed to microplastics from polypropylene agricultural mulch at 0.005–5% concentrations in soil, finding reduced reproduction in enchytraeids and collembola and altered burrowing behavior in earthworms and isopods at higher doses.
What do we know about how the terrestrial multicellular soil fauna reacts to microplastic?
This review analyzed published studies on how multicellular soil organisms (including earthworms, mites, springtails, and nematodes) ingest and respond to microplastics, finding that most studies used unrealistically high concentrations and that ecologically relevant effects on soil fauna remain poorly characterized.
Edible size of polyethylene microplastics and their effects on springtail behavior
Scientists determined which sizes of polyethylene microplastics can be ingested by soil springtails, finding a specific edible size range and showing that ingestion of microplastics within that range altered springtail burrowing and jumping behavior.
Fragmentation and depolymerization of microplastics in the earthworm gut: A potential for microplastic bioremediation?
Researchers explored whether earthworms can break down microplastics in soil by passing them through their digestive systems. They found that earthworms fragmented and partially broke down polyethylene and biodegradable plastic particles, reducing their size and altering their chemical structure. This suggests earthworms could play a role in naturally reducing microplastic contamination in soil, though more research is needed to understand whether the smaller fragments pose their own risks.
Addition of polyester in soil affects litter decomposition rates but not microarthropod communities
Adding polyester microplastics to soil slowed leaf litter decomposition rates but did not significantly alter the communities of soil microarthropods like mites and springtails. This suggests microplastics can disrupt important nutrient cycling processes in soil ecosystems even without directly killing soil-dwelling animals.
Enhancing the biodegradability and environmental impact of microplastics utilizing Eisenia fetida earthworms with treated low-density polyethylene for sustainable plastic management
Researchers used Eisenia fetida earthworms to improve the biodegradability of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) microplastics in soil, testing whether earthworm-mediated soil processing could enhance the breakdown of this persistent polymer. Earthworm activity increased LDPE fragmentation and promoted microbial colonization of plastic surfaces, suggesting vermicomposting as a strategy for managing soil plastic contamination.
Interaction of Invertebrates and Synthetic Polymers in Soil: A Review
This review summarizes how microplastics in soil harm invertebrates including nematodes, springtails, and earthworms, while some soil animals can fragment or ingest and transport plastic particles. The presence of microplastics in soil disrupts the gut function of soil organisms that play critical roles in maintaining healthy, productive soils.
Underestimated and ignored? The impacts of microplastic on soil invertebrates—Current scientific knowledge and research needs
This review highlights the critical gap in research on how microplastics affect soil invertebrates, noting that soil ecosystems receive far more plastic pollution than oceans yet the ecological consequences for soil fauna remain poorly understood and largely unstudied.
Microplastics are transferred by soil fauna and regulate soil function as material carriers
Springtail soil invertebrates were found to actively transport microplastics through soil and to transfer them and their adsorbed contaminants during feeding activity. Microplastic-laden springtails also suppressed soil organic matter decomposition, demonstrating that soil fauna mediate both the spatial redistribution and the functional impacts of microplastic pollution.
Defense responses in earthworms (Eisenia fetida) exposed to low-density polyethylene microplastics in soils
Researchers exposed earthworms to low-density polyethylene microplastics in soil at various concentrations for 28 days. They found that the earthworms ingested microplastics in a dose-dependent manner and actually broke some particles into smaller pieces during digestion, with about 30% more particles under 100 micrometers found in their excrement compared to the original soil. At higher concentrations, the microplastics triggered oxidative stress and neurotoxic responses, suggesting potential ecological risks to soil organisms.
Direct and indirect effects of microplastics from agricultural mulch films on terrestrial isopods Porcellionides pruinosus (Crustacea, Isopoda): A comparative exposure study
Researchers compared the direct and indirect effects of microplastics from three types of agricultural mulch films, including conventional polyethylene and two bioplastic alternatives, on the soil isopod Porcellionides pruinosus. Through feeding experiments and mesocosm studies, they measured survival, weight changes, and stress-related biomarkers including immune cell counts and enzyme activity. The study found that indirect effects of mulch film microplastics on soil organisms may be more significant than direct ingestion toxicity.
Transport of microplastics by two collembolan species
Researchers exposed two species of soil springtails (collembolans) to surface-applied microplastics and found that these small invertebrates can transport plastic particles vertically into deeper soil layers as they move. This is one of the first demonstrations that soil fauna can redistribute microplastics downward in terrestrial ecosystems.
Microplastics Effects on Reproduction and Body Length of the Soil-Dwelling Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans
Researchers compared the effects of conventional low-density polyethylene microplastics and biodegradable polymer microplastics on reproduction and body length in the soil nematode C. elegans. The study found that microplastic exposure affected these organisms, highlighting that even biodegradable plastics may pose risks to soil-dwelling invertebrates and that terrestrial microplastic toxicity deserves greater research attention.