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Microplastics in soils: an environmental geotechnics perspective

Profile image of Brendan C . O'KellyBrendan C . O'Kelly

2021, Journal of Environmental Geotechnics

https://doi.org/10.1680/JENGE.20.00179
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33 pages

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Abstract

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.

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Dr. Jai Gopal Sharma

Journal of Applied Biology &amp; 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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Related topics

  • Soil Science
  • Water and wastewater treatment
  • Groundwater Contamination
  • Soil ecology
  • Environmental Soil Science
  • Contamination and remediation
  • Heavy Metal Pollution
  • Soil Ecology and Biology
  • Bioremediation & Composting

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    Microplastic Pollution: An Emerging Threat to Terrestrial Plants and Insights into Its Remediation Strategies
    Rajanbir Kaur

    Plants

    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 a...

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    Review of Current Issues and Management Strategies of Microplastics in Groundwater Environments
    Naing Aung Khant

    Water, 2022

    Microplastic contamination has become widespread in natural ecosystems around the globe as a result of the tremendous rise in plastic production over the last 70 years. However, microplastic pollution in marine and riverine habitats has received more attention than that of terrestrial environments or even groundwater. This manuscript reviews the current issues, potential occurrences, and sources of the emerging problem of microplastic contamination in groundwater systems. The most prevalent types of plastic detected in groundwater are polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate, and fibers and fragments represent the most commonly found shapes. The vertical transportation of microplastics in agricultural soils can affect groundwater aquifer systems, which is detrimental to those who use groundwater for drinking as well as to microorganisms present in the aquifers. Moreover, this review sheds light on the interlinkage between sustainable development goals and groundwater microplastic...

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    Extraction and Characterization of Microplastics from Portuguese Industrial Effluents
    Luís Alves

    Polymers

    Microplastics (MPs) are contaminants present in the environment. The current study evaluates the contribution of different well-established industrial sectors in Portugal regarding their release of MPs and potential contamination of the aquifers. For each type of industry, samples were collected from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), and different parameters were evaluated, such as the potential contamination sources, the concentration, and the composition of the MPs, in both the incoming and outcoming effluents. The procedures to extract and identify MPs in the streams entering or leaving the WWTPs were optimized. All industrial effluents analysed were found to contribute to the increase of MPs in the environment. However, the paint and pharmaceutical activities were the ones showing higher impact. Contrary to many reports, the textile industry contribution to aquifers contamination was not found to be particularly relevant. Its main impact is suggested to come from the numerous ...

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    Microplastic Contamination in Soils: A Review from Geotechnical Engineering View
    Hakkı Özhan

    Polymers

    Microplastic contamination is a growing threat to marine and freshwater ecosystems, agricultural production, groundwater, plant growth and even human and animal health. Disintegration of plastic products due to mainly biochemical or physical activities leads to the formation and existence of microplastics in significant amounts, not only in marine and freshwater environments but also in soils. There are several valuable studies on microplastics in soils, which have typically focused on environmental, chemical, agricultural and health aspects. However, there is also a need for the geotechnical engineering perspective on microplastic contamination in soils. In this review paper, first, degradation, existence and persistence of microplastics in soils are assessed by considering various studies. Then, the potential role of solid waste disposal facilities as a source for microplastics is discussed by considering their geotechnical design and addressing the risk for the migration of micro...

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    A Path to a Reduction in Micro and Nanoplastics Pollution
    Mala Hettiarachchi

    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

    Microplastics (MP) are plastic particles less than 5 mm in size. There are two categories of MP: primary and secondary. Primary or microscopic-sized MP are intentionally produced material. Fragmentation of large plastic debris through physical, chemical, and oxidative processes creates secondary MP, the most abundant type in the environment. Microplastic pollution has become a global environmental problem due to their abundance, poor biodegradability, toxicological properties, and negative impact on aquatic and terrestrial organisms including humans. Plastic debris enters the aquatic environment via direct dumping or uncontrolled land-based sources. While plastic debris slowly degrades into MP, wastewater and stormwater outlets discharge a large amount of MP directly into water bodies. Additionally, stormwater carries MP from sources such as tire wear, artificial turf, fertilizers, and land-applied biosolids. To protect the environment and human health, the entry of MP into the envi...

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