Microplastics in the soil environment: Focusing on the sources, its transformation and change in morphology

Junyu Zhu; Guowen Dong; Fu Feng; Jing Ye; Ching-Hua Liao; Chih-Hung Wu; Sheng-Chung Chen

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165291

Microplastics in the soil environment: Focusing on the sources, its transformation and change in morphology

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Oct 20:896:165291. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165291. Epub 2023 Jul 3.

Authors

Junyu Zhu¹, Guowen Dong², Fu Feng¹, Jing Ye³, Ching-Hua Liao⁴, Chih-Hung Wu², Sheng-Chung Chen⁵

Affiliations

¹ College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China; School of Resources and Chemical Engineering, Sanming University, Sanming, Fujian, People's Republic of China.
² College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China; School of Resources and Chemical Engineering, Sanming University, Sanming, Fujian, People's Republic of China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Monitoring and Sustainable Management and Utilization, Sanming University, Sanming, Fujian, People's Republic of China.
³ College of Environment and chemical Engineering, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China.
⁴ School of Resources and Chemical Engineering, Sanming University, Sanming, Fujian, People's Republic of China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Monitoring and Sustainable Management and Utilization, Sanming University, Sanming, Fujian, People's Republic of China.
⁵ College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China; School of Resources and Chemical Engineering, Sanming University, Sanming, Fujian, People's Republic of China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Monitoring and Sustainable Management and Utilization, Sanming University, Sanming, Fujian, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: benbear.xe@gmail.com.

PMID: 37406689
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165291

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are small plastic pieces less than 5 mm in size. Previous studies have focused on the sources, transports, and fates of MPs in marine or sediment environments. However, limited attention has been given to the role of land as the primary source of MPs, and how plastic polymers are transformed into MPs through biological or abiotic effects during the transport process remains unclear. Here, we focus on the exploration of the main sources of MPs in the soil, highlighting that MP generation is not solely a byproduct of plastic production but can also result from the impact of biological and abiotic factors during the process of MPs transport. This review presents a new perspective on understanding the degradation of MPs in soil, considering soil as a distinct fluid and suggesting that the main transformation and change mediated by abiotic factors occur on the soil surface, while the main biodegradation occurs in the soil interior. This viewpoint is suggested because the role of some abiotic factors becomes less obvious in the soil interior, and MPs, whose surface is expected to colonize microorganisms, are gradually considered a carbon source independent of photosynthesis and net primary production. This review emphasizes the need to understand basic MPs information in soil for a rational evaluation of its environmental toxicity. Such understanding enables better control of MPs pollution in affected areas and prevents contamination in unaffected regions. Finally, knowledge gaps and future research directions necessary for advancements in this field are provided.

Keywords: Biodegradation; Microplastics; Soil; Source; Transformation.

Publication types

Review