The Unseen Threat: The Devastating Impact of Microplastics on Soil Health; A mini Review

Erdal SAKİN; Mehmet Fatih DİLEKOĞLU; İbrahim Halil YANARDAĞ; Ahmet ÇELİK

doi:10.5281/zenodo.13293398

Authors

Erdal SAKİN Harran University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Sanliurfa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5403-4247
Mehmet Fatih DİLEKOĞLU Harran University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Sanliurfa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7407-1635
İbrahim Halil YANARDAĞ Turgut Ozal University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Battalgazi, Malatya https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2558-9600
Ahmet ÇELİK Adiyaman University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Adiyaman https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8958-4978

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13293398

Keywords:

Microplastics, pollution, soil health, microorganisms

Abstract

The presence of microplastics (MPs) in soil has emerged as an urgent environmental issue with the potential to impact soil health and ecosystem functioning. These small plastic particles, usually smaller than 5 mm, enter soil environments through various pathways, including direct deposition from the atmosphere, the application of contaminated organic amendments such as sewage sludge or compost, and runoff from landfills or agricultural activities. Once in the soil, microplastics (MPs) can persist for long periods due to their resilient nature and can enter into complex interactions with soil components. The presence of MPs in soil can alter soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, affecting essential soil functions such as water retention, nutrient cycling, and microbial activity. Furthermore, MPs can interact with soil organisms, disrupting their behavior, reproductive processes, and overall ecosystem dynamics. Additionally, MPs can adsorb and transport harmful chemicals, potentially affecting soil and groundwater quality. Understanding the sources, fate, and effects of MPs in soil is crucial for mitigating their environmental impacts and protecting soil health. Effective strategies to address the problem of MPs in soil include improved waste management practices, regulation of plastic use, the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, and research into innovative remediation techniques. Addressing the problem of MPs in soil is essential to maintain the integrity and functionality of terrestrial ecosystems.

References

Avvannavar, S.M., Mani, M., 2007. Guidelines for the safe use of wastewater, excreta and greywater, Volume 3: wastewater and Excreta use in Aquaculture, 2006, WHO, 20, Avenue Appia, 1211, Geneva, 27 Switzerland, 92-94-154684-0 (V 3), US $ 45.00, 158 Sci. Total Environ. 382, 391.

Baeza, C., Cifuentes, C., Gonzalez, P., Araneda, A., Barra, R., 2020. Experimental exposure of Lumbricus terrestris to microplastics. Water Air and Soil Pollution, 231: 308.

Corradini, F., Meza, P., Eguiluz, R., Casado, F., Huerta-Lwanga, E., Geissen, V., 2019. Evidence of microplastic accumulation in agricultural soils from sewage sludge disposal. Science of the Total Environment, 671: 411–420.

Cortet, J., Vauflery, G. D., Poinsot-Balaguer, N., Gomot, L., Texier, C., Cluzeau, D., 1999. The use of invertebrate soil fauna in monitoring pollutant effects. European Journal of Soil Biology, 35(3): 115–134.

Çelik, A., Kılıç, M., Ramazanoğlu, E., Bellitürk, K., Sakin, E., 2023. Comparison of Biological Indicators of Soil Quality of Horticultural Crops Based on No-tillage and Non-synthetic Systems. Erwerbs-Obstbau, 65(6): 2605-2613.

De Jesus Piñon-Colin, T., Rodriguez-Jimenez, R., Rogel-Hernandez, E., Alvarez-Andrade, A., Wakida, F.T., 2020. Microplastics in stormwater runoff in a semiarid region, Tijuana, Mexico. Science of the Total Environment, 704: 135411.

Di, M., Wang, J., 2018. Microplastics in surface waters and sediments of the three gorges reservoir, China. Science of the Total Environment, 616: 1620–1627.

Dong, Z., Qiu, Y., Zhang, W., Yang, Z., Wei, L., 2018. Size-dependent transport and retention of micron-sized plastic spheres in natural sand saturated with seawater. Water research, 143: 518-526.

Dong, Z., Zhu, L., Zhang, W., Huang, R., Lv, X., Jing, X., Qiu, Y., 2019. Role of surface functionalities of nanoplastics on their transport in seawater-saturated sea sand. Environmental Pollution, 255: 113177.

Duan, Y., Zhao, J., Qiu, X., Deng, X., Ren, X., Ge, W., Yuan, H., 2022. Coagulation performance and ﬂoc properties for synchronous removal of reactive dye and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 165: 66–76.

Fan, W., Qiu, C., Qu, Q., Hu, X., Mu, L., Gao, Z., Tang, X., 2023. Sources and identification technology of microplastics in soil. Soil & Environmental Health, 100019.

Fueser, H., Mueller, M.T., Traunspurger, W., 2020. Rapid ingestion and egestion of spherical microplastics by bacteria-feeding nematodes. Chemosphere, 261: 128162.

Fueser, H., Mueller, M.T., Weiss, L., Hoss, S., Traunspurger, W., 2019. Ingestion of microplastics by nematodes depends on feeding strategy and buccal cavity size. Environmental Pollution, 255(Pt2): 113227.

Gao, J., Pan, S., Li, P., Wang, L., Hou, R., Wu, W.M., Hou, D., 2021. Vertical migration of microplastics in porous media: Multiple controlling factors under wet-dry cycling. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 419: 126413.

Hale, R.C., Seeley, M.E., La Guardia, M.J., Mai, L., Zeng, E.Y., 2020. A global perspective on microplastics. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 125(1): e2018JC014719.

Haixin, Z., Yimei, H., Shaoshan, A., Haohao, L., Xiaoqian, D., Pan, W., Mengyuan, F., 2022. Land-use patterns determine the distribution of soil microplastics in typical agricultural areas on the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 426: 127806.

Horton, A.A., Walton, A., Spurgeon, D.J., Lahive, E., Svendsen, C., 2017. Microplastics in freshwater and terrestrial environments: Evaluating the current under-standing to identify the knowledge gaps and future research priorities. Science of the Total Environment, 586: 127–141.

Horton, A.A., Walton, A., Spurgeon, D.J., Lahive, E., Svendsen, C., 2017. Microplastics in freshwater and terrestrial environments: Evaluating the current understanding to identify the knowledge gaps and future research priorities. Science of the total Environment, 586: 127-141.

Hu, J., He, D., Zhang, X., Li, X., Chen, Y., Wei, G., Luo, Y., 2022. National-scale distribution of micro (meso) plastics in farmland soils across China: implications for environmental impacts. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 424: 127283.

Huang, Y., He, T., Yan, M., Yang, L., Gong, H., Wang, W., Wang, J., 2021. Atmospheric transport and deposition of microplastics in a subtropical urban environment. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 416: 126168.

Huang, Y., Liu, Q., Jia, W., Yan, C., Wang, J., 2020. Agricultural plastic mulching as a source of microplastics in the terrestrial environment. Environmental Pollution, 260: 114096.

Huerta Lwanga, E., Gertsen, H., Gooren, H., Peters, P., Salanki, T., van der Ploeg, M., Besseling, E., Koelmans, A.A., Geissen, V., 2017. Incorporation of microplastics from litter into burrows of Lumbricus terrestris. Environmental Pollution, 220 (Pt A): 523–531.

Huerta Lwanga, E., Gertsen, H., Gooren, H., Peters, P., Salanki, T., Van Der Ploeg, M., Besseling, E., Koelmans, A.A., Geissen, V., 2016. Microplastics in the terrestrial eco-system: Implications for Lumbricus terrestris (Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae). Environmental Science & Technology, 50(5): 2685–2691.

Jesus Pinon-Colin, T., Rodriguez-Jimenez, R., Rogel-Hernandez, E., Alvarez-Andrade, A., Wakida, F.T., 2020. Microplastics in stormwater runoff in a semiarid region, Tijuana, Mexico. Science of the Total Environment, 704: 135411.

Kayıkcıoglu, H.H., Okur, N., 2020. Evaluation of soil microbial activity and maize (Zea mays L.) growth in soil amended with composted agroindustrial wastes. ISPEC Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 4(2): 234-248.

Kiyama, Y., Miyahara, K., Ohshima, Y., 2012. Active uptake of artificial particles in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Journal of Experimental Biology, 215(7): 1178–183.

Khatun, N.N., Hossain, A.M., Alam, M.M., Rahman, M.M., Islam, M.S., 2022. Poultry manure with sulphur increased growth and productivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.), and improved soil health for sustainable crop production in sub-tropical climate. ISPEC Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 6(3): 597-609.

Lares, M., Ncibi, M.C., Sillanpaa, Markus, Sillanpaa, Mika., 2018. Occurrence, identiﬁcation and removal of microplastic particles and ﬁbers in conventional activated sludge process and advanced MBR technology. Water Research, 133: 236–246.

Lei, L., Wu, S., Lu, S., Liu, M., Song, Y., Fu, Z., Shi, H., Raley-Susman, K. M., He, D., 2018. Microplastic particles cause intestinal damage and other adverse effects in zebra-fish Danio rerio and nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Science of the Total Environment, 619-620: 1–8.

Li, X., Chen, L., Mei, Q., Dong, B., Dai, X., Ding, G., Zeng, E.Y., 2018. Microplastics in sewage sludge from the wastewater treatment plants in China. Water Research, 142: 75–85.

Ng, E.L., Lwanga, E.H., Eldridge, S.M., Johnston, P., Hu, H.W., Geissen, V., Chen, D., 2018. An overview of microplastic and nanoplastic pollution in agroecosystems. Science of the Total Environment, 627: 1377–1388.

Nizzetto, L., Futter, M., Langaas, S., 2016. Are agricultural soils dumps for microplastics of urban origin?. Environmental Science & Technology Journal, 50(20): 10777-10779.

Panebianco, A., Nalbone, L., Giarratana, F., Ziino, G., 2019. First discoveries of microplastics in terrestrial snails. Food Control, 106: 106722.

Pivokonský, M., Pivokonska, L., Novotna, K., Cermakova, L., Klimtova, M., 2020. Occurrence and fate of microplastics at two different drinking water treatment plants within a river catchment. Science of the Total Environment. 741: 140236.

Plastics - the Facts, 2020. Plastics Europe n.d. Plastics Europe. https://plasticse urope.org/knowledge-hub/plastics-the-facts-2020/,2.4.23a (Accessed: 10.02.2024).

Ren, Z., Gui, X., Xu, X., Zhao, L., Qiu, H., Cao, X., 2021. Microplastics in the soil-groundwater environment: aging, migration, and co-transport of contaminants–a critical review. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 419: 126455.

Rillig, M.C., 2012. Microplastic in terrestrial ecosystems and the soil? Environmental Science & Technology, 46(12): 6453–6454.

Rillig, M.C., Bonkowski, M., 2018. Microplastic and soil protists: A call for research. Environmental Pollution, 241: 1128–1131.

Rillig, M., Ziersch, L., Hempel, S., 2017. Microplastic transport in soil by earthworms. Scientific Reports, 7(1): 1362.

Robins, R., Robins, A., 2011. The antics of ants: Ants as agents of bioturbation in a midden deposit in south-east Queensland. Environmental Archaeology, 16(2): 151–161.

Rodriguez-Seijo, A., Lourenc¸O, J., Rocha-Santos, T., da Costa, J., Duarte, A., Vala, H., Pereira, R., 2017. Histopathological and molecular effects of microplastics in Eisenia andrei Bouche. Environmental Pollution, 220(Pt A): 495–503.

Samandra, S., Johnston, J.M., Jaeger, J.E., Symons, B., Xie, S., Currell, M., Clarke, B.O., 2022. Microplastic contamination of an unconfined groundwater aquifer in Victoria, Australia. Science of the Total Environment, 802: 149727.

Selvam, S., Jesuraja, K., Venkatramanan, S., Roy, P.D., Kumari, V.J., 2021. Hazardous microplastic characteristics and its role as a vector of heavy metal in groundwater and surface water of coastal south India. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 402: 123786.

Song, P., Gao, J., Li, X., Zhang, C., Zhu, L., Wang, J., Wang, J., 2019. Phthalate induced oxidative stress and DNA damage in earthworms (Eisenia fetida). Environment International, 129: 10–17.

Van den Berg, P., Huerta-Lwanga, E., Corradini, F., Geissen, V., 2020. Sewage sludge application as a vehicle for microplastics in eastern Spanish agricultural soils. Environmental Pollution, 261: 114198.

Waldschläger, K., Schüttrumpf, H., 2020. Infiltration behavior of microplastic particles with different densities, sizes, and shapes—from glass spheres to natural sediments. Environmental science & technology, 54(15): 9366-9373.

Wang, H.T., Ding, J., Xiong, C., Zhu, D., Li, G., Jia, X.Y., Zhu, Y.G., Xue, X.M., 2019. Exposure to microplastics lowers arsenic accumulation and alters gut bacterial communities of earthworm Metaphire californica. Environmental Pollution, 251: 110–118.

Weithmann, N., Moller, J.N., Loder, M.G., Piehl, S., Laforsch, C., Freitag, R., 2018. Organic fertilizer as a vehicle for the entry of microplastic into the environment. Science Advances, 4(4): eaap8060.

Yan, X., Yang, X., Tang, Z., Fu, J., Chen, F., Zhao, Y., Yang, Y., 2020. Downward transport of naturally-aged light microplastics in natural loamy sand and the implication to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes. Environmental Pollution, 262: 114270.

Yu, M., Van Der Ploeg, M., Lwanga, E.H., Yang, X., Zhang, S., Ma, X., Ritsema, C. J., Geissen, V., 2019. Leaching of microplastics by preferential flow in earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) burrows. Environmental Chemistry, 16(1): 31–40.

Zhang, G.S., Liu, Y.F., 2018. The distribution of microplastics in soil aggregate fractions in southwestern China. Science of the Total Environment, 642: 12–20.

Zhang, X., Chen, Y., Li, X., Zhang, Y., Gao, W., Jiang, J., He, D., 2022. Size/shape-dependent migration of microplastics in agricultural soil under simulative and natural rainfall. Science of the Total Environment, 815: 152507.

Zhaorong, M., Yousheng, L., Qianqian, Z., Guangguo, Y., 2020. The usage and environmental pollution of agricultural plastic ﬁlm. Asian Journal of Ecotoxicology, 15: 21–32.

Zhou, B., Wang, J., Zhang, H., Shi, H., Fei, Y., Huang, S., Barceló, D., 2020. Microplastics in agricultural soils on the coastal plain of Hangzhou Bay, east China: Multiple sources other than plastic mulching film. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 388: 121814.

Zhou, Q., Zhang, H., Fu, C., Yang, Z., Dai, Z., Yuan, L., Chen, T., Luo, Y., 2018. The distribution and morphology of microplastics in coastal soils adjacent to the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea. Geoderma, 322: 201–208.

Zhu, F., Zhu, C., Wang, C., Gu, C., 2019. Occurrence and ecological impacts of microplastics in soil systems: A review. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 102(6): 741–749.

The Unseen Threat: The Devastating Impact of Microplastics on Soil Health; A mini Review

Authors

DOI:

Keywords:

Abstract

References

Downloads

Published

How to Cite

Issue

Section

License

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Make a Submission

Language

Information