Plasticulture

PlasticsMaterials with large molecular chains of natural or fossil raw materials, produced by chemical or biochemical reactions. More are everywhere – no surprise plasticsMaterials with large molecular chains of natural or fossil raw materials, produced by chemical or biochemical reactions. More are used even in agriculture – the fields are full of it – mulch foils, foil tunnels, irrigation systems. The end of life of these products is usually not taken into account. Many of these are never collected and growing amounts of plasticsMaterials with large molecular chains of natural or fossil raw materials, produced by chemical or biochemical reactions. More and microplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More in soil contribute to soil degradation and poor water retention.

Microplastics in soil

According to some estimates, soils carry 4–23 times more microplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More than oceans. However, sufficient quantitative data about microplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More is missing especially for soil ecosystems. The highest amount of microplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More were found close to roads in industry districts of Sydney – 7 weight percent. While Swiss protected forest areas contained only 0,0055 % of microplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More.¹ Chinese studies report from 16 to 18760 microplastic particles in per kilogram of agricultural soil.^{2, 3}

Sources of microplastics in soil

Plasticulture represents the main source of soil microplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More, but not the only one. MicroplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More are brought also through water sources and air. Amounts of microplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More enter the soil also with sewage sludge used as fertilizer. 50 % of sewage sludge is distributed to fields. Controlled-release systems of agrochemicals can be sources of primary microplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More. In EU, it is estimated that 125–800 tons of microplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More per 1 million citizens enter the soil.⁴

Microplastics and soil microbiome

Fei and colleges observed loss of biodiversity in soil microbiome when 1–5 % microparticles of PE or 5 % of PVCPVC=polyvinyl chloride, it is one of the most widely used plastics. It is widespread mainly due to the easy and cheap production of the basic componen… More was added.² Their findings were confirmed in other studies.^{5, 6}

Additives

Plastics are mixtures of polymers and additives adjusting the material properties. It was shown that additives like triclosanTriclosan is chemically called 5-Chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol, it is a compound with strong antimicrobial and antifungal effects. It is added … More and bisphenol A in microplastics impair viability and activity of organisms. ^{8, 9}

References

¹Fojt, J., J. David, R. Přikryl, et al. A critical review of the overlooked challenge of determining micro-bioplastics in soil. Science of The Total Environment. 2020, 745: 140975. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140975.

²Fei, Y., S. Huang, H. Zhang, et al. Response of soil enzyme activities and bacterial communities to the accumulation of microplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More in an acid cropped soil. Science of The Total Environment. 2020, 707: 135634. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135634.

³Ding, L., S. Zhang, X. Wang, et al. The occurrence and distribution characteristics of microplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More in the agricultural soils of Shaanxi Province, in north-western China. Science of The Total Environment. 2020, 720: 137525. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137525.

⁴Nizzetto, L., M. Futter and S. Langaas. Are Agricultural Soils Dumps for MicroplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More of Urban Origin? Environmental Science & Technology. 2016, 50(20): 10777-10779. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.6b04140.

⁵Ren, X., J. Tang, X. Liu and Q. Liu. Effects of microplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More on greenhouse gasGaseous constituent of the atmosphere, both natural and anthropogenic, that absorbs and emits radiation at specific wavelengths within the spectrum of… More emissions and the microbial community in fertilized soil. Environmental Pollution. 2020, 256: 113347. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113347.

⁶Yan, Y., Z. Chen, F. Zhu, et al. Effect of Polyvinyl Chloride MicroplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More on Bacterial Community and Nutrient Status in Two Agricultural Soils. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 2020. doi: 10.1007/s00128-020-02900-2.

⁷Bosker, T., L. J. Bouwman, N. R. Brun, et al. MicroplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More accumulate on pores in seed capsule and delay germination and root growth of the terrestrial vascular plant Lepidium sativum. Chemosphere. 2019, 226: 774-781. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.03.163.

⁸Browne, Mark A., Stewart J. Niven, Tamara S. Galloway, et al. Microplastic Moves Pollutants and Additives to Worms, Reducing Functions Linked to Health and Biodiversity. Current Biology. 2013, 23(23): 2388-2392. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2013.10.012.

⁹Wei, W., Q.-S. Huang, J. Sun, et al. Polyvinyl Chloride MicroplasticsMicroplastics is a general term for plastic fragments of various origins up to 5mm in size. Their existence is mainly associated with their presence i… More Affect MethaneMethane is a colourless, odourless flammable gas which is the main constituent of natural gas. It is the simplest member of the alkane series of hydro… Production from the Anaerobic DigestionIn anaerobic digestion, organic matter is degraded by a microbial population in the absence of oxygen and producing methane and carbon dioxide (= biog… More of Waste Activated Sludge through Leaching Toxic Bisphenol-AMonomer used to produce different polymers. BPA is said to cause health problems, due to the fact that is behaves like a hormone. Therefore, it is ban… More. Environmental Science & Technology. 2019, 53(5): 2509-2517. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.8b07069.