The impact of microplastic weathering on interactions with the soil environment: a review

Abstract

Abstract. Recent studies have reported the influence of microplastic on soil quality parameters. Mass concentrations of plastic particles as found in highly contaminated soils were shown to weaken the soil structure by reducing the proportion of water stable aggregates (WSA). In addition, parts of the edaphon are adversely affected by mainly the < 100 µm microplastic fraction. The specific interaction of soil microplastic with other particulate organic matter (POM) and the mineral phase during the formation of soil aggregates as well as the adverse effects of especially the small-sized fraction, which has low weight but high specific surface area, justify a focus on surface properties of the soil microplastic and their alteration during the plastic life cycle. Exposed to UV radiation, juvenile plastic undergoes photochemical weathering with embrittlement and the formation of surface charge. When plastic particles enter the soil environment, a second step takes place, that includes biogeochemical weathering with enzymes, biotic and abiotic acids, oxidants as well as bioturbation and feeding of soil fauna. This work integrates recent findings on the effects of microplastic on soil structure and biota, the genesis of its surface characteristics and discusses how to reproduce them to conduct laboratory experiments with close-to-nature designer microplastic.

Investigation of Microplastic Exposure to Marine Fish in the Marine Tourism Area of Makassar City

“…The sample was also identified as contaminated with PC and PET microplastics, indicated by the presence of a spectrum image indicated as functional groups C=C, and C=O, while the PS type indicated the presence of aromatic ring functional group. The FTIR chromatogram shown by the three fish samples as an embodiment of the presence of relatively microplastic components gave the same pattern as polymers or macromolecular compounds (Büks & Kaupenjohann, 2021). 3, 4 and 5) obtained from the waters around Samalona Island, KWB area of Makassar City, strongly suspected of being contaminated with microplastic types PP, PVC, PE, PS, PET, and PC.…”

“…The dangers of accumulation of microplastics for human health, because they can interfere with health, such as disrupting the nervous, hormonal, and immune systems, and increasing the risk of cancer (Basri et al, 2021). Microplastics interfere with the body's metabolic system because they form interactions with blood particles, being able to change important body proteins such as albumin, globulin, and fibrinogen so that they cannot function properly (Büks & Kaupenjohann, 2021). The problem of microplastics is difficult to avoid because the potential for interactions with plastic materials is very large, so a strong commitment is needed so that the environment and all living things are avoided exposure to microplastics (Chatterjee & Sharma, 2019).…”

The measurement of food safety and security risks associated with micro- and nanoplastic pollution

“…Weathering has shown to impact MP behaviour and fate in the environment [104,170], therefore, reference materials intended to mimic environmental MNPs should undergo controlled and reproducible weathering events; to closely mimic natural weathering conditions since inappropriate weathering protocols may confound conclusions on MNP toxicity/fate, however, this is often ignored [163]. As plastic weathering in the soil environment is not feasible due to the extremely long time needed for degradation changes to occur, accelerated weathering protocols need to be established [171]. While for the above ground weathering UV radiation acceleration techniques are well described [106], protocols for below ground weathering are limited to industrial applications, with the goal to quantify plastic durability and biodegradation, rather than to create realistic reference particle for toxicity assays [163].…”

Effects of microplastic ingestion on hydrogen production and microbiomes in the gut of the terrestrial isopod Porcellio scaber

“…MP may not only alter the physical and chemical soil properties, but may also affect the soil biota [8]. Unintentional ingestion of MP by soil-dwelling and especially soil-feeding macrofauna is likely and can have negative fitness effects on organisms like earthworms, nematodes or collembola [9, 10].…”