Microplastics in Agricultural Soil and Their Impact: A Review

The rapid global plastic production of 348 million tonnes in 2018 has led to widespread environmental pollution, especially in terrestrial ecosystems. This study examines microplastics in agricultural soils, coming alarmingly. Particles ≤5 mm, which are defined as microplastics, have detrimental eff...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: P. Solanki, S. Jain, R. Mehrotra, P. Mago and S. Dagar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Technoscience Publications 2024-12-01
Series:Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://neptjournal.com/upload-images/(19)B-4172.pdf
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The rapid global plastic production of 348 million tonnes in 2018 has led to widespread environmental pollution, especially in terrestrial ecosystems. This study examines microplastics in agricultural soils, coming alarmingly. Particles ≤5 mm, which are defined as microplastics, have detrimental effects on the earth’s environment. Because of its ecological importance, soil acts as an important microplastic sink, affecting soil and plant health and microbial activity. A variety of factors contribute to microplastic pollution in agricultural soils, including plastic mulching, manure, agricultural products (silage nets, twine), sewage sludge, weathering, and other indirect processes. These microplastics migrate, threatening soil integrity and biodiversity. Soil microplastics are analyzed for size, volume fraction, and polymer. Common materials include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyesters. Techniques, including optical microscopy and spectroscopy, extract and analyze microplastics. This comprehensive review calls for increased concern about the ecological effects of microplastics in agricultural soils. It emphasizes the importance of managing plastics to solve environmental challenges. The integrated environmental assessment highlights the complex relationship between microplastics and soil ecosystems, providing insights into potential risks and suggesting strategies to combat this looming environmental threat.
ISSN:0972-6268
2395-3454