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Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Co-occurrence of macroplastics, microplastics, and legacy and emerging plasticisers in UK soils
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.
Macro and microplastics in the soil: abundance, characterization, identification, and interactions under different land uses in an agricultural sub-basin
Researchers examined the abundance, characterization, identification, and interactions of macro- and microplastics in soils under different land uses within an agricultural sub-basin, assessing how land-use patterns influence plastic pollution distribution and potential interactions with the soil environment.
Plastic particles in soil: state of the knowledge on sources, occurrence and distribution, analytical methods and ecological impacts
This comprehensive review of plastic particles in soil covered sources, occurrence, analytical detection methods, and ecological impacts, identifying gaps in knowledge about terrestrial plastic fate and effects compared to the more extensively studied marine environment.
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.
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.
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.
A review of microplastics in soil: Occurrence, analytical methods, combined contamination and risks
This review provides a comprehensive overview of microplastic pollution in soil ecosystems, covering sources, detection methods, and ecological impacts. Researchers found that soils are major reservoirs for microplastics, and the study highlights how combined contamination with other pollutants like heavy metals and pesticides may amplify risks to soil organisms and food safety.
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.
Identification, characterization, and implications of microplastics in soil – A case study of Bhopal, central India
Researchers identified and characterized microplastics in soils from Bhopal, central India, documenting their occurrence, distribution, and polymer composition to assess the extent of soil contamination from poor plastic waste management practices.
Co-occurrence of light microplastics and phthalate esters in soils of China
Researchers investigated the co-occurrence of light microplastics and phthalate esters in Chinese soils, finding both pollutants present in all sampled agricultural and urban soils with significant correlations suggesting shared sources of plastic-derived contamination.
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.
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.
Sources, pollution, and ecological impacts of soil microplastics-A review
A comprehensive review summarized the sources, distribution, and ecological impacts of microplastics in soil environments, synthesizing evidence on how plastics affect soil organisms, structure, and agricultural productivity. The review calls for urgent policy action to address soil microplastic contamination as a threat to food security.
Assessment of Soil Microplastics and Their Relation to Soil and Terrain Attributes Under Different Land Uses
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in tropical soils under different land uses including forest, grassland, and agricultural areas. They found that agricultural soils had the highest microplastic concentrations, likely due to the use of plastic-based materials in farming. The study reveals how land use practices and soil characteristics influence the distribution and accumulation of microplastics in tropical environments.
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.
Microplastic in Terrestrial Ecosystems and the Soil?
This review examined the occurrence and behavior of microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems and soils, questioning how particles move through and accumulate in soils and calling for more research on land-based microplastic impacts.
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.
A nationwide assessment of microplastic abundance in agricultural soils: The influence of plastic crop covers within the United Kingdom
A nationwide study of 108 agricultural sites across the United Kingdom found microplastics in all soil samples, with concentrations averaging 3,680 particles per kilogram. Fields where plastic crop covers were used had significantly higher microplastic levels than those without plastic covers. This study shows that common agricultural plastic use is a major source of soil microplastic contamination, which could ultimately affect crop quality and enter the food chain.
Distribution pattern and risk assessment of microplastics contamination in different agricultural systems
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in agricultural soils across six sites in Coimbatore, India with distinct farming practices, finding microplastics in 81% of organic matter-removed samples. The study revealed that different agronomic inputs and land management practices produce distinct microplastic contamination profiles.
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.
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.
Quantification and identification of microplastics in organic fertilizers: the implication for the manufacture and safe application
Researchers measured microplastic contamination in 23 commercial organic fertilizers, finding widespread presence at levels that could meaningfully contribute to agricultural soil pollution when fertilizers are applied. The results raise concerns about organic fertilizers as an underappreciated pathway for microplastics entering farm soils and the food system.
Influences of land use and depth profile on the characteristics of microplastics in agricultural soils
Researchers examined how land use and soil depth profile influence microplastic characteristics in agricultural soils, finding that wastewater and sludge application, plastic mulching, and atmospheric deposition are key sources, and that MP type and abundance vary with soil management practice and depth, highlighting the importance of vertical distribution in soil MP studies.
A review of microplastics in the soil environment
This review summarizes the current state of knowledge about microplastic contamination in soil environments, covering sources, distribution, and effects on soil organisms and ecosystems. The study highlights that while aquatic microplastic research is more advanced, soil contamination poses significant but understudied risks to terrestrial ecosystems and food production.