Microplastics in soil: Impacts and microbial diversity and degradation

doi:10.1016/S1002-0160(21)60060-7

Pedosphere

Volume 32, Issue 1, February 2022, Pages 49-60

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1002-0160(21)60060-7 Get rights and content

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles less than 5 mm in size that have become a major environmental pollutant due to their ubiquitous and persistent nature. Microplastic contamination of the aquatic environment has received the most attention so far, whereas the current understanding of MP prevalence and its impacts in the terrestrial environment is largely limited. The MP contamination of soil can cause bioaccumulation and toxicity in terrestrial animals and plants, which can consequently affect human health. This review is aimed towards combining the available information on the occurrence, sources, and effects of MPs on the different aspects of the terrestrial environment and to highlight the limitations in our knowledge regarding the nature and impacts of MPs in soil. The review also highlights microbial degradation of MPs as an advancing research area, with numerous microorganisms being identified as capable of efficiently degrading this persistent contaminant.

Section snippets

INTRODUCTION

Plastics are a group of synthetic polymer materials that have become an inevitable part of our lives due to their widespread use for packaging, construction, textile, electronic, pharmaceutical, and agricultural purposes. Several properties of plastics, such as their low cost, lightness, strength, malleability, and durability, make them suitable for a diverse range of applications (Alavian Petroody and Hashemi, 2020). Therefore, the global plastic production has grown exponentially over the

OCCURRENCE AND SOURCES OF MPS IN THE TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENT

Land has always been assumed as a sink for plastic waste disposal. The presence of MPs in the terrestrial environment, especially agricultural soils, is of great concern; it may pose a considerable threat to terrestrial wildlife and food security (Wang et al., 2019b). Recently, several studies have evaluated MP contamination in soils (Table II). For example, soil samples collected near an industrial site were found to contain MPs at concentrations of 0.03%–6.7% (Fuller and Gautam, 2016). Even

EFFECTS OF MPs IN SOIL

The ubiquity of MPs has become an increasing concern. Consequently, numerous attempts have been made to assess their potential effects on the environment and living organisms. The impacts of MPs on the aquatic ecosystem have been extensively studied, whereas information on the terrestrial ecosystem is rather scarce. In the aquatic environment, MPs have been shown to adversely affect the growth (Kaposi et al., 2014), metabolism, and reproduction (Cole et al., 2015) of organisms, and can induce

ACCUMULATION OF MPS IN THE FOOD CHAIN

Microplastic contamination of the environment results in their accumulation into the food web, which can have deleterious effects on the health of various higher organisms, including humans (Ashraf and Faheem, 2020; Mercogliano et al., 2020). Microplastic accumulation in aquatic organisms has been studied for many years and is a well-recognized problem. Microplastics have been frequently detected in the digestive and respiratory areas of organisms. They can also be transferred to—and accumulate

MICROBIAL DEGRADATION OF MPS/PLASTICS

Microbial degradation is an eco-friendly and economic method for the clean-up of environmental contaminants (Singh and Singh, 2016). Interactions between MPs and microorganisms can change the characteristics of MPs over time (Rogers et al., 2020). As discussed before, MPs establish a novel ecological niche for some specific microorganisms by offering support for microbial settlement and growth, while these organisms can utilise MPs as a carbon source and subsequently assist in their

CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

The review gives an account of the occurrence, sources, and effects of MPs in the terrestrial environment and the prospect of MP microbial degradation for overcoming this prevalent problem. Recently, there has been significant increase in studies evaluating the potential of MP contamination in soil, and our understanding of MPs in the terrestrial environment has been progressing. There is clear evidence of the harmful effects of MPs on various aspects of the terrestrial ecosystem, including

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A systematic review of the mechanisms underlying the interactions between microplastics and microorganism in the environment
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Microplastics (MPs) may be accidently ingested by many organisms due to their small size (<5 mm), and their accumulation along the food chain poses a serious threat to ecosystem health. Microorganism can directly or indirectly affect the morphology, properties, eco-toxicity, and degradation of MPs in the environment. The present review mainly aims to reveal the interaction mechanism of MPs with microorganism. We found that the most studies between MPs and microorganism are focused on bacterial in comparison with fungus and archaea in the past decade. Many microbes can accelerate the aging and degradation of MPs in soil. The abundance of MPs in indoor air is higher than that in outdoor air. The abundance of MPs in urban areas is greater than that in rural areas. The mechanism and process of MP degradation by microorganism mainly included deterioration, colonization, depolymerization, assimilation, and mineralization. Here, we review recent research on the interactions between microorganism (mainly bacteria and fungi) and MPs, and discuss characterization techniques used for revealing the MP degradation mechanisms of microorganism. However, there are several challenges associated with studies of the interactions between MPs and microorganism, and these have implications for the design of policies and the efficacy of ecological protection efforts implemented by governments worldwide.
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Plastics have revolutionised human industries, thanks to their versatility and durability. However, their extensive use, coupled with inadequate waste disposal, has resulted in plastic becoming ubiquitous in every environmental compartment, posing potential risks to the economy, human health and the environment. Additionally, under natural conditions, plastic waste breaks down into microplastics (MPs<5 mm). The increasing quantity of MPs exerts a significant burden on the soil environment, particularly in agroecosystems, presenting a new stressor for soil-dwelling organisms. In this review, we delve into the effects of MP pollution on soil ecosystems, with a specific attention to (a) MP transport to soils, (b) potential changes of MPs under environmental conditions, (c) and their interaction with the physical, chemical and biological components of the soil. We aim to shed light on the alterations in the distribution, activity, physiology and growth of soil flora, fauna and microorganisms in response to MPs, offering an ecotoxicological perspective for environmental risk assessment of plastics. The effects of MPs are strongly influenced by their intrinsic traits, including polymer type, shape, size and abundance. By exploring the multifaceted interactions between MPs and the soil environment, we provide critical insights into the consequences of plastic contamination. Despite the growing body of research, there remain substantial knowledge gaps regarding the long-term impact of MPs on the soil. Our work underscores the importance of continued research efforts and the adoption of standardised approaches to address plastic pollution and ensure a sustainable future for our planet.
Advances in microplastics detection: A comprehensive review of methodologies and their effectiveness
2024, TrAC - Trends in Analytical Chemistry
Microplastics (MPs) pollution has become a significant environmental concern due to their widespread distribution and potential impact on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Accurate and efficient methods for detecting MPs in environmental samples are essential for understanding their sources, distribution, and effects. This review article examined the techniques and approaches employed to detect MPs in environmental samples. From visual identification to advanced spectroscopic and pyrolysis-GCMS methods, we explored the strengths, limitations, and recent advancements in MP detection. This review provided an overview of the principles that can guide future research and monitoring efforts by comparing methodologies and discussing their applications in different sample matrices.
Effects of micro(nano)plastics on soil nutrient cycling: State of the knowledge
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The ecological impacts of micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) have attracted attention worldwide because of their global occurrence, persistence, and environmental risks. Increasing evidence shows that MNPs can affect soil nutrient cycling, but the latest advances on this topic have not systematically reviewed. Here, we aim to present the state of knowledge about the effects of MNPs on soil nutrient cycling, particularly of C, N, and P. Using the latest data, the present review mainly focuses on three aspects, including (1) the effects and underlying mechanisms of MNPs on soil nutrient cycling, particularly of C, N and P, (2) the factors influencing the effects of MNPs on soil nutrient cycling, and (3) the knowledge gaps and future directions. We conclude that MNPs can alter soil nutrient cycling via mediating soil nutrient availability, soil enzyme activities, functional microbial communities, and their potential ecological functions. Furthermore, the effects of MNPs vary with MNPs characteristics (i.e., polymeric type, size, dosage, and shape), chemical additives, soil physicochemical conditions, and soil biota. Considering the complexity of MNP-soil interactions, multi-scale experiments using environmental relevant MNPs are required to shed light on the effects of MNPs on soil nutrients. By learning how MNPs influence soil nutrients cycles, this review can guide policy and management decisions to safeguard soil health and ensure sustainable agriculture and land use practices.
Convergence of soil bacterial communities with time and reduction of bacterial interaction complexity in response to meso- and microplastic stress
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The ecological consequences of meso- and microplastics (MMPs) on soil health are far from being understood, especially lacking information on how MMPs perturbations affect soil bacterial succession patterns. This work investigated how mulching film-derived MMPs existence affected soil properties and bacterial characteristics, and if such changes were reflected in the architecture of biotic networks. The obtained results suggested that MMPs exerted potential changes in soil nutrients and enzymatic activities, and the extent of such response was strongly related to MMPs characteristics and exposure time. The abundance of the top ten phyla in MMPs-treated soil significantly varied with the incubation time before Day 45, but gradually converged over the following 45 days. Besides, the existence of MMPs increased biotic network complexity in the short run but reduced the complexity with the prolonging of time. MMPs significantly altered the network structure of soil microbial communities at the keystone species level, and the number of the keystone taxa shaping network showed a descent tendency over time. According to Partial Least Square Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) analysis, MMPs pollution could significantly and directly affect soil nutrients, further changing soil microbial characteristics. Additionally, soil microbes were also indirectly regulated by soil enzymatic activities in MMPs-polluted soil. This work could provide insights into the potential ecological effects of mulching film residues in soil environments.
Preparation of heterojunction C<inf>3</inf>N<inf>4</inf>/WO<inf>3</inf> photocatalyst for degradation of microplastics in water
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In this study, a WO₃/g-C₃N₄ composite photocatalyst was synthesized via a hydrothermal method and characterized for its potential application in photocatalytic H2 generation from PET degradation. XRD analysis revealed that the hexagonal WO₃ crystal structure was achieved after 10 h of hydrothermal time, with particles of suitable size for uniform loading on the g-C₃N₄ surface. SEM images showed the successful loading of WO₃ nanorods onto the g-C3N4 surface, significantly increasing the specific surface area. FTIR and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy confirmed the formation of a Z-type heterojunction between WO₃ and g-C₃N₄. Photoluminescence measurements indicated a reduced rate of electron-hole pair recombination in the composite. The 30% WO₃/g-C₃N₄ composite demonstrated a high H₂ evolution rate of 14.21 mM and excellent stability in PET solution under visible light irradiation. 1H NMR and EPR spectroscopy analyses revealed the degradation of PET into small molecular compounds and the generation of active radicals, including ·O₂⁻, during the reaction. Overall, the WO₃/g-C₃N₄ composite exhibited promising potential for photocatalytic H₂ production and PET degradation.

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Microplastics in soil: Impacts and microbial diversity and degradation

ABSTRACT

Section snippets

INTRODUCTION

OCCURRENCE AND SOURCES OF MPS IN THE TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENT

EFFECTS OF MPs IN SOIL

ACCUMULATION OF MPS IN THE FOOD CHAIN

MICROBIAL DEGRADATION OF MPS/PLASTICS

CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Environ Pollut

Environ Int

Mar Pollut Bull

Estuar Coast Shelf Sci

Sci Total Environ

Environ Pollut

Sci Total Environ

Sci Total Environ

Environ Pollut

Mar Pollut Bull

Environ Pollut

Poly Aromat Compd

Chemosphere

Sci Total Environ

Curr Opin Environ Sci Health

Environ Poll

Environ Pollut

Sci Total Environ

Mar Pollut Bull

Chemosphere

Environ Pollut

Sci Total Environ

Sci Total Environ

Chemosphere

Sci Total Environ

Sci Total Environ

Mar Pollut Bull

Environ Pollut

Environ Pollut

Biotechnol Adv

Sci Total Environ

Occurrence and characterization of microplastics in urban wastewater, a case study: Sari wastewater treatment plant

Modares Civil Eng J

Atmospheric transport and deposition of microplastics in a remote mountain catchment

Nat Geosci

Environmental toxicology and biogeochemistry of ecosystems

Environ Sci Pollut Res

Responses of Hyalella azteca to acute and chronic microplastic exposures

Environ Toxicol Chem

Contaminant release from aged microplastic

Environ Chem

Physical adsorption of charged plastic nanoparticles affects algal photosynthesis

J Phys Chem C

Effects of microplastics in soil ecosystems: Above and below ground

Environ Sci Technol

What do we know about how the terrestrial multicellular soil fauna reacts to microplastic?

Soil

Effects of polystyrene microplastics on the fitness of earthworms in an agricultural soil

IOP Conf Ser: Earth Environ Sci

Bacterial communities on soil microplastic at Guiyu, an E-Waste dismantling zone of China

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf

Acute toxicity, mutagenicity, and estrogenicity of bisphenol-A and other bisphenols

Environ Toxicol

The impact of polystyrene microplastics on feeding, function and fecundity in the marine copepod Calanus helgolandicus

Environ Sci Technol

Microfiber release to water, via laundering, and to air, via everyday use: A comparison between polyester clothing with differing textile parameters

Environ Sci Technol

Microplastics as an emerging threat to terrestrial ecosystems

Glob Chang Biol

Impacts of microplastics on the soil biophysical environment

Environ Sci Technol

Microplastics can change soil properties and affect plant performance

Environ Sci Technol

Accumulation and embryotoxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles at early stage of development of sea urchin embryos Paracentrotus lividus

Environ Sci Technol

Tissue accumulation of microplastics in mice and biomarker responses suggest widespread health risks of exposure

Sci Rep

Microplastics exposure routes and toxicity studies to ecosystems: An overview

Environ Anal Health Toxicol