Quantification and Analysis of Microplastics in Farmland Soils: Characterization, Sources, and Pathways (original) (raw)
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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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The production of synthetic polymers has increased in manifolds since the advancement of petroleum engineering. These cosmopolitan artificial materials are now persistent in almost every ecosystem on planet earth. This could be attributed to the higher tendency of polymer disintegration and lower polymer degradation in the ambient environments. The processes of polymer disintegration lead to the formation of microscopic plastic particles, referred to as ‘microplastics’. Significant research in emerging environmental contaminants focuses on microplastics, their occurrence in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and adverse effects on biota, humans and other environmental compartments. Therefore, taking account of the background, this chapter summarizes the different strategies for the chemical extraction of microplastics from soil samples and further qualitative and quantitative analysis via distinct spectrophotometric techniques. All over the world, rivers, lakes, and associated floodplains are some of the most polluted ecosystems. The Indian rivers, including Meghna, Brahmaputra and Ganges are polluted with 72,845 tonnes of plastic loads per annum which eventually is transported into the oceans. The existing literature also presents a picture that microplastic pollution studies are usually focused on aquatic ecosystems such as oceans, lakes and rivers. However, microplastic pollution in floodplain soils is a major neglected research question. Therefore, this chapter aims to focus on the occurrence of microplastics in terrestrial soils such as floodplains, their origin and sources, and how to extract and quantify microplastic presence in the geological samples. Furthermore, microplastics are non-uniform in terms of their physicochemical characteristics and degradation. Numerous forms of microplastics pollute aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Therefore, an emphasis is also laid down on the microplastic control and remediation techniques in these natural ecosystems for scientific inquiry.
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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.
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Microplastics (MPs) are emerging persistent contaminants in the terrestrial subsurface, and evidence has emerged for significant effects of MPs on soils’ biological and ecosystem functions. Main MPs sources include land spreading of sewage sludge and biowaste composts, plastic mulching film used in horticultural fields, wastewater irrigation, and leachate from the landfills, amongst others. This updated state-of-the-art review paper describes recent experimental and numerical research and developments in understanding the accumulation, fate and effects of MPs in soil environment (focusing on their storage, degradation, transportation, leaching to groundwater, etc.), followed by mitigation and bioremediation measures, including soil bacterial- and fungus-eating MPs, best management practices for reducing MP pollution of soil, etc. Other areas covered are the combined effects of MPs and various other environmental contaminants (heavy metals, organic pollutants and antibiotics) in soil ecosystems, and standardization of methods for detection, quantification and characterisation of MPs in soils, which is critical for MPs research. The paper concludes by identifying knowledge gaps and presents recommendations on prioritized research needs.
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.
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.
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.
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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...