Microplastics in soil: A comprehensive review of occurrence, sources, fate, analytical techniques and potential impacts

Abstract

Through their accumulation in soils, microplastics have recently become a matter of concern. The aim of this review is to assemble and investigate the recent studies about microplastics in soil by focusing on their sources, occurrence, fate in soil, and analytical methods. The objective is also to clarify and elucidate their potential impacts on soil fauna, plants and microorganisms. In this paper, articles reporting the quantity of microplastics and their characteristics in soil at 62 sites situated across 17 countries were reviewed. The land type, microplastic abundances, types and sizes were compared. We summarized and discussed the sampling and analytical methods used and the variation of microplastic concentration according to their sources. The data showed that microplastic in soil from available global studies ranged from 0 to 3573×10³ particles kg⁻¹, with major dominance of polyethylene, polystyrene and polypropylene found in 50, 37 and 32 studies, respectively. The data analysis showed the high migration of small particles, spherical shape with high polymer density in the major studies. We also described the mechanisms controlling the vertical transport of microplastics: agricultural activity (plowing: at a depth between 10 cm (very shallow plowing) and 40 cm (deeper soil tillage)), bioturbation by soil organisms and plants, and leaching that can lead to the contamination of the groundwater.

This review elucidated the behavior and fate of microplastics within the soil, serving as a reference for upcoming studies aimed at devising solutions to mitigate the toxicity associated with microplastics in soil.