Summary
This systematic review examines microplastic transport from agricultural systems into surrounding environments, synthesising evidence on sources, transport mechanisms, and co-contaminant dynamics across multiple scales. The review integrates the plastisphere concept (cellular level) with landscape-level dynamics to provide a comprehensive assessment of how microplastics move from agricultural sites. The authors emphasise substantial knowledge gaps in terrestrial microplastic transport processes and call for further research to understand these pathways.
Regional applicability
The review's findings on microplastic sources and transport are applicable to UK agriculture, particularly given the widespread use of plastic mulches, compost amendments, and tyre wear in farming systems. However, UK-specific quantification of microplastic fluxes and transport under British soil and climate conditions remains limited.
Key measures
Microplastic transport pathways, sources (direct and indirect), biotic and abiotic transport mechanisms, modelling approaches, facilitated transport of chemicals and pathogens with plastic particles
Outcomes reported
The review synthesised evidence on direct and indirect sources of microplastics in agricultural systems, transport mechanisms (biotic and abiotic), modelling approaches, and co-transport of chemicals and pathogens. The authors identified significant gaps in understanding microplastic transport processes in terrestrial environments.
Topic tags
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