Impact of microplastics and chemical contaminants on soil health

What is it about?

Microplastics are small particles of plastics with size less than 5 micrometers. They are formed as a result of breakdown of plastics. The presence of microplastics on land and in water bodies is a major environmental problem worldwide. Microplastics are also known to pollute agricultural soils. They make their way into the soil through the waste water that is used for irrigation and production of fertilizers. However, most studies have till now focused on the effects of microplastics on water bodies. Only a few have looked at their impact on soils. In this study, authors looked at the effects of microplastics and chemicals on soil microbes, soil enzyme activity, and strawberry plant growth for two years. They saw that chemicals were able to change the composition of soil microbes, but the presence of microplastics reduced this change. In addition, there were no differences in the composition of soil microbes and soil enzyme activity. This was also true for the quantity of strawberries and the number of leaves and flower stalks between the treated and healthy soil.

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Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study is helpful for the agricultural industry as it involves the use of plastic products. The findings of this study can add to our knowledge on the advantages and disadvantages of the use of plastic in agricultural soils. Moreover, it can help prevent any biases on the literature of microplastics and any repetition of this study by other researchers. KEY TAKEAWAY: Presence of microplastics hampers the ability of chemicals to alter microbial community in soil. Microplastics can thus help in reducing the effect of chemical compounds on the health of soil. This research relates to the following Sustainable Development Goals: • SDG 2: Zero Hunger • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production • SDG 15: Life on Land