Microplastics accumulation in agricultural soil: Evidence for the presence, potential effects, extraction, and current bioremediation approaches (original) (raw)
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Microplastics (MPs) as emerging persistent pollutants have been a growing global concern. Although MPs are extensively studied in aquatic systems, their presence and fate in agricultural systems are not fully understood. In the agricultural soils, major causes of MPs pollution include application of biosolids and compost, wastewater irrigation, mulching film, polymer-based fertilizers and pesticides, and atmospheric deposition. The fate and dispersion of MPs in the soil environment are mainly associated with the soil characteristics, cultivation practices, and diversity of soil biota. Although there is emerging pollution of MPs in the soil environment, no standardized detection and quantification techniques are available. This study comprehensively reviews the sources, fate, and dispersion of MPs in the soil environment, discusses the interactions and effects of MPs on soil biota, and highlights the recent advancements in detection and quantification methods of MPs. The prospects for future research include biomagnification potency, cytotoxic effects on human/animals, nonlinear behavior in the soil environment , standardized analytical methods, best management practices, and global policies in the agricultural industry for the sake of sustainable development.
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Plastic is an indispensable material essential for modern human life. With highly increasing de- mand for plastic use, however, environmental contamination by plastic litters has become an emerging issue. Globally, large quantity of used plastics is landfilled or emitted directly to the aquatic and terrestrial environments, albeit a part of the plastics is recycled or incinerated as energy source. In particular, microplastic debris that are smaller than 5 mm are considered to be emerging contaminants of global concern. In the past decade, however, most of the researches on impacts of microplastic contamination have been focused on the marine ecosystem, whereas very limited ones on the terrestrial ecosystem. Soil can be considered as a major sink and a car- rier of microplastic contaminants to the aquatic environment. Most sources of microplastics in the soil environment are entered via a variety of routes and subsequent fragmented and spread to the surrounding environments, vertically and horizontally. In addition, there are negative im- pacts on soil biota, which in turn would cause concerns of human health by affecting the food web. Here, we provide an overview of characteristics, research trend, analytical methods, migra- tion and degradation processes, effects on soil biogeochemistry, and interaction with soil organ- isms of microplastics suggesting the importance of ongoing research impacts of microplastics on the terrestrial ecosystem.
Microplastic in the agro-ecosystem
Libyan Journal of Ecological & Environmental Sciences and Technology, 2022
The pollution of the Earth-system by microplastics (MPs) has attracted the scientific community's attention during the last decade due to the ability of MPs to alter the soil and agronomic lands properties and affect the soil flora and fauna, and thus via food chain may harm human health. The current review attempted to survey several previous studies to demonstrate the possible sources of MPs in soil characterised as primary and secondary sources depending on the way MPs are generated. Most of MPs released from these sources ended into the soil and can emigrate within soil profile, which negatively affects several physiochemical soil properties, soil biota, and plants that may alter biodiversity and agronomic land productivity. The bioremediation of MPs-polluted terrestrial environment using some microorganisms is an optimum economic and eco-friendly technology. This review is a first step to help researchers identify the main sources and effects of MPs pollution in Libyan farmlands to stand up on the current levels of these substances in soil and suggest future strategies to avoid possible harm impacts of MPs pollution over our country.
2022
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous and constitute a global hazard to the environment because of their robustness, resilience, and long-term presence in the ecosystem. For now, the majority of research has primarily focused on marine and freshwater ecosystems, with just a small amount of attention towards the terrestrial ecosystems. Although terrestrial ecosystems are recognized as the origins and routes for MPs to reach the sea, there is a paucity of knowledge about these ecological compartments, which is necessary for conducting effective ecological risk assessments. Moreover, because of their high persistence and widespread usage in agriculture, agribusiness, and allied sectors, the presence of MPs in arable soils is undoubtedly an undeniable and severe concern. Consequently, in the recent decade, the potential risk of MPs in food production, as well as their impact on plant growth and development, has received a great deal of interest. Thus, a thorough understanding of the fate and risks MPs, as well as prospective removal procedures for safe and viable agricultural operations in real-world circumstances, are urgently needed. Therefore, the current review is proposed to highlight the potential sources and interactions of MPs with agroecosystems and plants, along with their remediation strategies.
Analysis and Effects of Microplastics in the Agricultural Soils
Proceedings of the 7th World Congress on New Technologies, 2021
Microplastics (MPs) are pertinacious contaminants which are threatening the delicate balance of the ecosystem. Over the years, various studies have reported the presence of MPs in the marine environment through case studies and reviews, but its presence in the agricultural soils is not fully understood. To date, there exists no standardized methodology for sampling, extraction and characterization of MPs in the agricultural soils. This review aims at encapsulating the different techniques used for sampling and extraction of MPs, and includes the methods employed for identification and quantification of MPs in the soil environment. Flotation method, pressurized fluid extraction and elutriation are some of the different techniques used for MPs extraction that usually influence the characterization step. Visual identification through microscope and scanning electron microscope and chemical identification via Fourier-transform infrared (FITR) and Raman spectrometry, are the main techniques that are used for the identification of MPs. The fate and dispersion of MPs in the agricultural soil are discussed, as well as their interaction with the soil biota. The main findings of this review show that further research is needed on the sampling methods as well as analytical techniques so as to contribute to standardizing MPs characterization in the soil environment, potential toxicity effects along the food chain, and global policies for sustainable development.
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Source, migration and toxicology of microplastics in soil
Environment International, 2020
Microplastics are emerging contaminants and their presence in water and soil ecosystems has recently drawn considerable attention because they pose a great threat to entire ecosystems. Recent researches have focused on the detection, occurrence, characterization, and toxicology of microplastics in marine and freshwater ecosystems; however, our understanding of the ecological effects of microplastics in soil ecosystems is still limited compared with that in aquatic ecosystems. Here, we have compiled literature, studying the sources, migration of microplastics in soil, negative impacts on soil health and function, trophic transfer in food chains, and the corresponding adverse effects on soil organisms in order to address the potential ecological and human health risks caused by microplastics in soil. This review aims to address gaps in knowledge, shed light on the ecological effects of microplastics in soil, and propose future studies on microplastic pollution and the resultant soil ecotoxicity. Furthermore, this review is focused on limiting microplastics in soil and establishing management and remediation measures to mitigate the risks posed by microplastic pollution.
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The production and disposal of plastics have become significant concerns for the sustainability of the planet. During the past 75 years, around 80% of plastic waste has either ended up in landfills or been released into the environment. Plastic debris released into the environment breaks down into smaller particles through fragmentation, weathering, and other disintegration processes, generating microplastics (plastic particles ≤ 5 mm in size). Although marine and aquatic ecosystems have been the primary focus of microplastic pollution research, a growing body of evidence suggests that terrestrial ecosystems are equally at risk. Microplastic contamination has been reported in various terrestrial environments from several sources such as plastics mulch, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, tire abrasions (tire wear particles), textiles industries (microfibers), sewage sludge, and plastic dumping. Recent studies suggest that the soil has become a significant sink for pollutants released int...
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Microplastics (MPs) reach the soil environment through the application of recycled water, biosolids, and compost and the in-situ weathering of plastic mulch used in agriculture. This review provides an overview of the sources of MP input to soil and their interactions with soil biota, thereby impacting soil biological health. MPs contain various chemical additives and can be ingested by soil biota, thereby impacting their activity and function. MPs also serve as a vector for inorganic and organic contaminants. These chemical additives and environmental contaminants can be released into soil porewater during the weathering of MPs in soil and impact soil biota. Overall, MPs can also alter soil's physical and chemical properties thereby impacting the habitat for soil microorganisms. Soil microorganisms can use MPs as a carbon source and porous habitat for proliferation. Future research needs to focus on the genomic and functional diversity of soil microbes as impacted by MP contamination, thereby enabling us to develop strategies to mitigate the impacts of MP on soil biological health.