Summary
This 2021 review synthesises evidence on microplastics as an emerging contaminant threat to agroecosystems, examining their sources, transport pathways, and potential effects on soil biological processes and plant growth. The authors assess how microplastic accumulation in agricultural soils—driven by plastic mulch use, biosolid amendments, and atmospheric deposition—may compromise soil structure, microbial communities, and plant health. The paper contextualises microplastics within broader soil contamination concerns, suggesting this represents a significant gap in agricultural sustainability research requiring urgent mechanistic and field investigation.
UK applicability
UK agriculture, particularly horticulture using plastic films and land application of sewage biosolids, may face similar microplastic accumulation risks. The findings are relevant to UK soil health policy and sustainable farming initiatives, though UK-specific field data on microplastic loads in arable and horticultural systems remain limited.
Key measures
Microplastic particle size, abundance, composition, soil accumulation rates, plant uptake pathways, and soil health impacts as suggested by review scope
Outcomes reported
The study examined the emerging presence and effects of microplastics as contaminants in agricultural soils and their uptake by plants, with implications for soil health and agroecosystem functioning.
Topic tags
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