Micro- and nanoplastics in agricultural soils: Assessing impacts and navigating mitigation

Yoonjung Seo; Zhezhe Zhou; Yunru Lai; Guangnan Chen; Keith Pembleton; Shaobin Wang; Ji-Zheng He; Pingan Song

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172951

Micro- and nanoplastics in agricultural soils: Assessing impacts and navigating mitigation

Sci Total Environ. 2024 May 3:931:172951. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172951. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Yoonjung Seo¹, Zhezhe Zhou², Yunru Lai³, Guangnan Chen⁴, Keith Pembleton¹, Shaobin Wang⁵, Ji-Zheng He⁶, Pingan Song⁷

Affiliations

¹ School of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield, Australia.
² School of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield, Australia; Centre for Future Materials, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield, Australia.
³ Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield, Australia. Electronic address: Chloe.lai@unisq.edu.au.
⁴ School of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield, Australia. Electronic address: Guangnan.chen@unisq.edu.au.
⁵ School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
⁶ School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
⁷ School of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield, Australia; Centre for Future Materials, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield, Australia. Electronic address: Pingan.song@unisq.edu.au.

PMID: 38703838
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172951

Abstract

Micro-/nanoplastic contamination in agricultural soils raises concerns on agroecosystems and poses potential health risks. Some of agricultural soils have received significant amounts of micro-/nanoplastics (MNPs) through plastic mulch film and biosolid applications. However, a comprehensive understanding of the MNP impacts on soils and plants remains elusive. The interaction between soil particles and MNPs is an extremely complex issue due to the different properties and heterogeneity of soils and the diverse characteristics of MNPs. Moreover, MNPs are a class of relatively new anthropogenic pollutants that may negatively affect plants and food. Herein, we presented a comprehensive review of the impacts of MNPs on the properties of soil and the growth of plants. We also discussed different strategies for mitigating or eliminating MNP contamination. Moreover, perspectives for future research on MNP contamination in the agricultural soils are also highlighted.

Keywords: Micro-/Nanoplastics; Plants; Pollution; Soil; Strategies.

Publication types

Review