Microplastic Pollution in Terrestrial Ecosystems and Its Interaction with Other Soil Pollutants: A Potential Threat to Soil Ecosystem Sustainability

Abstract

The production and disposal of plastics have become significant concerns for the sustainability of the planet. During the past 75 years, around 80% of plastic waste has either ended up in landfills or been released into the environment. Plastic debris released into the environment breaks down into smaller particles through fragmentation, weathering, and other disintegration processes, generating microplastics (plastic particles ≤ 5 mm in size). Although marine and aquatic ecosystems have been the primary focus of microplastic pollution research, a growing body of evidence suggests that terrestrial ecosystems are equally at risk. Microplastic contamination has been reported in various terrestrial environments from several sources such as plastics mulch, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, tire abrasions (tire wear particles), textiles industries (microfibers), sewage sludge, and plastic dumping. Recent studies suggest that the soil has become a significant sink for pollutants released into terrestrial ecosystems and is often contaminated with a mixture of organic and inorganic pollutants. This has gradually caused adverse impacts on soil health and fertility by affecting soil pH, porosity, water-holding capacity, and soil microbial enzymatic activities. Microplastics can interact with the co-existing pollutants of the environments by adsorbing the contaminants onto their surfaces through various intermolecular forces, including electrostatic, hydrophobic, non-covalent, partition effects, van der Waals forces, and microporous filling mechanisms. This subsequently delays the degradation process of existing contaminants, thereby affecting the soil and various ecological activities of the ecosystem. Thus, the present article aims to elucidate the deleterious impact of microplastics and their interactions with other pollutants in the terrestrial ecosystem. This review also addresses the impact of microplastics in disrupting the soil sustainability of the planet.

Infectious Diseases Associated with Exposure to Pollutants in a Local Population from Mexico

“…Pesticide inputs in Mexico are 1.9 kg ha −1 (approx. 43,578.14 ton), in addition to the consumption of fertilizers (2,194,245.49 ton), which have been part of intensive agricultural systems, just like in most of the world [21]. The use, management, and marketing of pesticides in the country are regulated by the Ministry of Health (SS), the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS), the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), the Ministry of Agriculture and Development Rural (SADER), and the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks [13].…”

“…Ecosystems undergo changes due to habitat loss, introduction of invasive species, presence of pathogens, accumulation of persistent pollutants, climate change, and other factors [1,2]. Continuous exposure to pollutants can lead to abnormalities in cell replication, which organisms typically resolve under normal conditions [3].…”

Micro- and Nano-Plastics Contaminants in the Environment: Sources, Fate, Toxicity, Detection, Remediation, and Sustainable Perspectives

“…Marine pollution is one of the main significant menaces to marine ecosystems [259], and a top priority environmental issue due to this crisis inherently transboundary. Thus, the United Nations is endeavouring to address it through the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs whereby SDG Goals 13, 14 and 15 aim to preserve and sustain marine and terrestrial ecosystems, natural habitats, biodiversity [260]. This can be achieved by global combined efforts, harmonized actions, and concrete coordination, and taking effective measures to tackle issues adequately and to mitigate environmental degradation.…”

Water, Resources, and Resilience: Insights from Diverse Environmental Studies

“…This work delves into water's usage, challenges, and innovative solutions, drawing from a wide range of environmental studies. This work maintains an encompassing scope, addressing subjects as varied as the equitable allocation of water resources, the intricacies of soil substrates, the sustainable generation of energy, and the critical interplay between water and public health [1,2]. It encapsulates the essence of water, elucidating its fundamental contribution to life's sustenance, as well as its pivotal role in supporting agricultural practices, industrial processes, and energy production [3][4][5][6][7].…”