Summary
This comprehensive review examines the emerging threat of microplastic pollution to soil health, synthesising evidence on how plastic particles of varying sizes and polymer types accumulate in agricultural and natural soils. The authors assess impacts across soil physical properties, microbial ecology, nutrient cycling and plant performance, as documented in the peer-reviewed literature through approximately 2024. The review appears to conclude that microplastic contamination poses multifaceted risks to soil function and food security, though long-term effects and remediation strategies remain incompletely characterised.
UK applicability
UK soils are increasingly exposed to microplastics from atmospheric deposition, sewage sludge application, compost and degrading agricultural plastics. The findings are directly relevant to UK soil policy and land management, particularly regarding agricultural use of biosolids and plastic film in horticulture.
Key measures
Microplastic concentration and characteristics in soil; soil structure, porosity and water retention; soil microbial communities and enzyme activity; soil fauna responses; nutrient cycling; plant uptake and toxicity
Outcomes reported
The review synthesised evidence on how microplastic contamination affects soil physical, chemical and biological properties, and assessed mechanisms of harm to soil function. The paper examined microplastic sources, distribution, persistence and interactions with soil organisms.
Topic tags
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