Microplastic in the agro-ecosystem (original) (raw)
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Microplastics as pollutants in agricultural soils
Environmental Pollution, 2020
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.
Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology
Decades ago, microplastic presence was corroborated in aquatic ecosystem, but revelations from current studies indicate microplastics (MPs) as ubiquitous environmental concern and demonstrate our plasticized life, because of microplastic existent in food, air, water, and soil. Existence of MPs in terrestrial ecosystem is long recognized now and additionally, all the evidence that has been found for microplastic entering the farm soils indicated that they are gradually accumulating in the agricultural soil. While previous studies focused extensively on marine systems, the increasing toxicity of MPs in agricultural cultivated soils and the aspects of MPs being accumulated causing bio-toxification are being looked upon presently. They potentially damage the yield of crop plants making their roots unable to uptake water and nutrients from the soil by accumulating near the roots. MPs have already invaded the terrestrial food chain and they have been detected in excreta of livestock animals along with earthworms and crop plants. MPs are abundant in farm soil that has interacted with sewage-sludge, plastic mulching sheets, organic fertilizers, and vermicompost for a long duration. This review focuses on current evidence of microplastic accumulation in farm soil, thereby enlightening the potential damages to crop plants, soil properties, soil microbes while ultimately reaching humans via the food chain. It also covers the recent advances for soil microplastic extraction, treatment, and possible bioremediation strategies.
Microplastic contamination in soil environment -a review
SOIL SCIENCE ANNUAL, 2020
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.
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.
Microplastics pollution modulating soil biological health – A review
Soil Use and Management, 2025
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.
Resources
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...
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.
Urban dust and civil runoff could represent a critical diffuse source of MPs in urban areas. • Several studies indicated that Tyre and Road Wear Particulates could be an important source of MPs pollution. • The main drivers influencing MPs distribution in the soil are the application of plastic mulch films and sewage sludge. • Particles <10 μm have been found in fruits and vegetables commonly consumed by humans with worrying values. • Several authors observed the variation of nutritive values of some edible vegetables due to MP interactions.
Effects of Microplastics on Agriculture: A Mini-review
Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology
Microplastics have permeated most, if not all, ecosystems including the terrestrial ones. The presence of microplastics in soil poses concerns on plants and agriculture. Microplastics alter soil biophysical properties including bulk density, water holding capacity and soil microbial interactions with water stable aggregates. The effects of microplastics on soil and plants frequently depend on the types and sizes of microplastics. This mini review presents a concise illustration of the impacts of microplastics on plants and crops. From the review, microplastics alter soil biophysical and chemical characteristics either positively or negatively depending on their types, concentrations, sizes and shapes. It reveals the ability of microplastics to affect enzymatic activities of plants which could lead to genotoxicity and oxidative damage. It unveils endocytosis of microplastics by specific plant cells as well as the uptake of microplastics via root and their accumulation and transport i...
Environment Ecological Effects of Soil Microplastic Pollution
Science Insights, 2019
As a new type of environmental pollutant, microplastics pose a serious threat to soil ecosystems. We reviewed the classification and source of soil microplastics, separation, detection methods and existing problems. The pollution of soil microplastics and the adsorption effect and mechanism of microplastics on pollutants are summarized. The effects on soil animals, microbial ecology and carbon, nitrogen and other material cycles were analyzed. Furthermore, the ecological effects of microplastics are proposed, which provides new ideas for the study of soil microplastics in the future.■