Microplastics in Agricultural Soils: An Emerging Threat to Soil Health, Microbial Ecology, Crop Productivity, and Food Safety
Souvik Ghosh, Divyansh Verma, Kishan Kumar, Raunak Pramanik, Sumana Balo, Debasis Mahata, Aakash Kumar Saini, Arghya Mani
International Journal of Plant & Soil Science · pp. 61–74 · Published 29 Apr 2025
10.9734/ijpss/2025/v37i55430Abstract
Microplastics have emerged as a pervasive environmental pollutant, infiltrating terrestrial ecosystems, including agricultural soils. These tiny plastic particles (<5 mm) originate from various sources, such as plastic mulching, sewage sludge application, and atmospheric deposition. Their persistence in soils poses significant risks to soil microbial communities, plant health, and ultimately human wellbeing through the food chain. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the sources, distribution, and fate of microplastics in agricultural soils, their effects on soil microbial diversity and function, and the potential implications for human health. We also discuss mitigation strategies and future research directions to address this growing environmental concern.
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