The current situation of soil microplastic pollution is very serious and has become an urgent ecological and environmental problem that needs to be solved worldwide. Microplastics are plastic particles with a diameter of less than 5 millimeters, mainly derived from human activities such as the manufacturing, use, and disposal of plastic products, as well as plastic particles generated in industrial production processes.
Soil cytoplasmic pollution comes from various sources, including the following:
Solid waste disposal: Plastic products naturally decompose in landfills for a long time, producing a large amount of tiny plastic fragments.
Agricultural activities: Residual agricultural film, application of organic fertilizers containing microplastics, and deposition of microplastics in irrigation water sources are all important sources of microplastics in agricultural soils.
Atmospheric deposition: The cytoplasmic particles produced by plastic products during weathering and friction can be transported through the atmosphere and then deposited on the soil surface.
Wastewater treatment: The wastewater discharged from wastewater treatment plants usually contains microplastics, which are transferred to soil systems or directly discharged into water bodies after irrigation in farmland.
Industrial emissions and transportation: Factory emissions, wear and tear of car tires, and scattering of plastic packaging materials also indirectly introduce microplastics into the soil. Soil cytoplasmic pollution has serious impacts on the environment and ecosystems:
Biodiversity impact: Soil invertebrates such as earthworms and nematodes can ingest microplastics, affecting their survival and reproductive abilities, thereby disrupting basic links in the soil food chain and reducing biodiversity.
Microbial ecological imbalance: Microplastics adsorb toxic and harmful substances, alter soil microbial community structure, inhibit beneficial microbial activity, and affect soil organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling.
Changes in soil physicochemical properties: Microplastics entering soil pores may block soil pore channels, reduce soil permeability and permeability, and alter soil structure and properties.
Hindering plant growth: Due to reduced soil aeration and drainage, the growth of plant roots is restricted, which may lead to a decrease in crop yield and quality.
Threat to water security: The accumulation of microplastics in soil may affect groundwater quality and increase the risk of transportation from soil to other levels of the food chain.