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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastics are ubiquitous and increasing in soil of a sprawling urban area, Phoenix (Arizona)
ClearDistribution 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.
Characterization 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.
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.
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 distribution of microplastics in soil aggregate fractions in southwestern China
Researchers investigated microplastic distribution across different soil types in agricultural and forested areas near a lake in southwestern China and found plastic particles in every sample, with concentrations as high as 42,960 particles per kilogram. Approximately 95% of the particles fell within the microplastic size range, and fibers were the dominant form, likely originating from textiles and agricultural materials. The study demonstrates that microplastic contamination in soils is extensive and varies with land use practices.
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.
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.
Effects of soil properties and land use patterns on the distribution of microplastics: A case study in southwest China
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in soils across different land use types in Guizhou Province, southwest China. The study found that soil properties and land use patterns significantly influence microplastic abundance and distribution, with agricultural and urban soils generally showing higher contamination levels than less intensively managed areas.
Microplastic occurrence in urban and industrial soils of Ahvaz metropolis: A city with a sustained record of air pollution
Researchers documented microplastic contamination in urban and industrial soils of Ahvaz, Iran for the first time, finding concentrations up to 3,135 particles per kilogram in urban areas, with the highest levels in city centers lacking adequate sanitation infrastructure.
Characterization of microplastic, metals associated and ecological risk assessment in the topsoil of shiraz metropolis, south west of Iran
Researchers surveyed topsoil across the city of Shiraz, Iran and found microplastics in all sample types, with urban soils containing roughly three times more particles than industrial or agricultural soils. Fragments and small particles between 100 and 250 micrometers were the most common forms detected. The study also found that metals like lead, zinc, and copper tend to accumulate on microplastic surfaces, potentially increasing the ecological risk these particles pose.
Microplastic characteristic in the soil across the Tibetan Plateau
Researchers systematically investigated microplastic pollution across the Tibetan Plateau, finding widespread contamination averaging 47 items per kilogram of soil, with fibers predominating and concentrations influenced by proximity to human activities.
Abundance, distribution, and ecological risks of microplastics in urban and agricultural topsoil of Mian-Ab Plain, Iran
Researchers mapped microplastic contamination across 102 soil samples in an arid Iranian plain using GIS mapping and advanced spectroscopy, finding the highest concentrations near urban centers and an average of nearly 12 microplastic particles per kilogram of soil. Children faced roughly double the estimated ingestion exposure compared to adults, and the dominant plastic types — PET, polystyrene, polypropylene, and nylon — pointed to mixed household and agricultural sources.
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.
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.
Microplastic pollution in soil: a case-study from the Raffaele Viviani public park in Naples, Italy
This field study characterized microplastic contamination in soil samples from a public park in Naples, Italy, finding diverse polymer types at concentrations indicating that urban green spaces accumulate significant microplastic loads from atmospheric deposition and visitor activity.
Spatial distribution of microplastics in soil with context to human activities: a case study from the urban center
Researchers mapped the spatial distribution of microplastics in topsoil across different land use types in an urbanized city in the upper Indus plain. They found that agricultural and urban areas had significantly higher microplastic concentrations than less developed areas, with fibers being the dominant particle type. The study links microplastic soil contamination patterns to specific human activities including irrigation with wastewater, plastic mulching, and industrial discharge.
An evaluation on microplastic accumulations in Turkish soils under different land uses
Researchers analyzed 55 soil samples from agricultural and urban areas across three Turkish regions, finding higher microplastic concentrations in agricultural soils (averaging 193 particles/kg) than urban soils, with polyethylene fibers under 1 mm dominating both land use types.
Significant influence of land use types and anthropogenic activities on the distribution of microplastics in soil: A case from a typical mining-agricultural city
Scientists surveyed microplastic pollution across five types of land in a Chinese mining-agricultural city and found the highest levels in greenhouse farmland, with nearly 3,738 particles per kilogram of soil. Agricultural plastic waste, irrigation water, and fertilizers were identified as the main sources of contamination. The study shows that farming practices are major contributors to microplastic buildup in the soil that produces our food.
Different functional areas and human activities significantly affect the occurrence and characteristics of microplastics in soils of the Xi'an metropolitan area
Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in soils across different functional areas of the Xi'an metropolitan area in China. The study found an average of 2,218 microplastic particles per kilogram of soil in Xi'an city, with industrial and tourist areas showing the worst contamination, likely linked to higher levels of urbanization and human activity.
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.
Spatiotemporal distribution and potential sources of atmospheric microplastic deposition in a semiarid urban environment of Northwest China
Atmospheric microplastic deposition in a semiarid urban environment in northwest China ranged from 79.5 to 810.0 particles per square meter per day, with peak deposition in summer, fibres and fragments dominating, and source analysis pointing to local plastic products and waste as primary contributors.
Widespread microplastic contamination in Australian soils: Sources, pathways, and environmental implications
The first multi-land-use soil microplastic survey across Victoria and New South Wales, Australia found a mean concentration of 14,400 microplastics/kg soil, with most particles in the 10–100 µm size range and dominated by ABS, polycarbonate, polyethylene, and polyurethane polymers. The high concentrations and wide geographic spread confirm that Australian agricultural and urban soils are substantially contaminated, with implications for soil health, food crops, and wildlife that forage in or ingest soil.
Atmospheric microplastic deposition in a valley city over a five-year period: sources, ecological risks, spatiotemporal distributions and influencing factors
A five-year (2019–2023) monitoring study in a valley city found rising atmospheric microplastic deposition, with summer peaks over four times higher than winter lows, strongly influenced by precipitation, wind, temperature, and urban activity levels. Long-term data showing increasing airborne microplastic trends have direct implications for inhalation exposure in urban populations.
Microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems: sources, transport, fate, mitigation, and remediation strategies
This review examines how microplastics from urban, agricultural, and industrial sources are building up in soils worldwide. Wind, water, and soil organisms transport these particles across landscapes, where they persist and can affect soil structure and the health of living things. The authors highlight that land-based microplastic pollution has received far less attention than ocean pollution, despite its potential risks to ecosystems and human health through the food chain.