Microplastics as an emerging threat to plant and soil health in agroecosystems

Summary

This 2021 narrative review synthesises emerging evidence on microplastics as an under-recognised contaminant in agroecosystems, examining primary sources of soil microplastic accumulation and documenting or hypothesising effects on soil structure, microbial communities, and plant health. The authors contextualise microplastic contamination within broader soil sustainability concerns and highlight substantial knowledge gaps in mechanistic understanding and field-level evidence, arguing that agricultural microplastic contamination warrants urgent empirical investigation.

Regional applicability

Given the widespread use of plastic mulch in UK horticulture and application of biosolids to agricultural soils, this review's framework for identifying microplastic sources and impacts is directly applicable to UK farming systems. However, field-level evidence specific to UK agroecosystems remains limited, and UK-targeted research and risk assessment are needed to inform policy on plastic use in agriculture.

Key measures

Microplastic abundance and composition in soils; soil structure and physical properties; microbial community composition and function; plant growth and physiological responses; sources and pathways of microplastic entry

Outcomes reported

The review synthesises evidence on primary sources of soil microplastic accumulation (plastic mulch, biosolid amendments, atmospheric deposition) and documents or hypothesises effects on soil structure, microbial communities, and plant health. The authors identify substantial knowledge gaps in mechanistic pathways and field-level evidence.

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