The Impact of Microplastic on soil

NAOMI K SOTO-DELIZ
Team 4002
Objective
• Describe what it’s a microplastic
• Describe what it’s soil and common types.
• Comprehensively understand the effects of microplastics on soil
 Introduction

• !Microplastics!, have emerged as a significant environmental

concern due to their pervasive presence in various
ecosystems. These tiny plastic particles measure below than
5 millimetres from the degradation of considerable size plastic
items and the fragmentation of plastic materials.
• These microplastics have infiltrated numerous ecosystems
worldwide, including oceans, rivers, soils, and air.
• The infiltration of these tiny plastic particles into soil matrices
raises a critical question about their potential consequences
on soil health and biodiversity. Efforts to comprehensively
understand the effects of microplastics on soil ecosystems are
crucial to protecting the balance and biodiversity of these vital
ecological systems.
Discussion

• Microplastics can directly and indirectly

affect soil biota, including microorganisms,
invertebrates, and plants.
• Soil-dwelling organisms may ingest
microplastic particles intentionally or
accidentally, leading to physical damage,
gut obstruction, and reduced feeding
efficiency.
• Microplastic can also adsorb and
accumulate chemical contaminants from
the surrounding environment that are
transported through the food chain.
 Soil
• Soil The main types include:

• Soil is a complex heterogeneous mixture of

• Sandy Soil: is characterized by its large particle size, which results in
organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and
relatively large pore spaces between particles. Leads to rapid drainage
organisms supporting life on Earth. It forms as and good aeration but poor water and nutrient retention.

the result of weathering of rocks and the
decomposition of organic matter over long
periods. Several types of Soil are classified
• Clay Soil: consists of excellent particles, resulting in small pore
spaces. This leads to slow drainage and poor aeration but high water
and nutrient retention.
• Silt Soil: has medium-sized particles, balancing sand and clay soils

based on their composition, texture, and other regarding drainage, aeration, and nutrient retention.

factors. • a.4. Loam Soil is ideal for plant growth as it contains a mixture of
sand, silt, and clay particles. This combination provides good
drainage, aeration, and nutrient retention.
 Types of
Microplastics
• Plastic is a polymer of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic
compounds in various forms within soil ecosystems.
• Primary microplastics originate from the breakdown of
more oversized plastic items, although secondary
microplastics result from the fragmentation of these
materials.
• The prevalence and composition of microplastics in Soil
vary depending on local sources of contamination, land
use patterns, and environmental conditions. Microplastics
manifest in diverse forms, including beads, fragments,
pellets, film, foam, and fibbers, each with distinct
properties and ecological implications .
• The abundance of microplastics in Soil can adversely
impact microbial communities by altering their diversity,
abundance, and activity, thereby influencing essential soil
processes and ecosystem functions.
Nano-plastic and soil fauna
• Nano-plastic particles, characterized by their minute size and high surface area, pose concerns regarding their

potential impacts on soil fauna. Soil organisms can ingest these particles, leading to bioaccumulation and

adverse effects on their physiology, behavior, and reproductive success.

• Research on the effects of nanoplastics on soil fauna, including nematodes, earthworms, and mice, has

revealed a myriad of detrimental consequences, ranging from reproductive damage to metabolic

disruptions. Studies using mouse models have provided insights into the transgenerational effects of maternal

exposure to plastic nanoparticles, including decreased body weight, growth decline, neuronal damage, cognitive

deficits, and testicular disruptions in offspring.

 Soil Microbial
Community

• The soil microbial community is a vital component

of terrestrial ecosystems, driving essential
biogeochemical processes such as decomposition of organic
matter, nutrient cycling, and pollutant degradation.
• Comprising diverse bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and
other microorganisms, soil microbes interact dynamically
with their environment and play pivotal roles in maintaining
soil health and fertility.
• The microplastic contamination can negatively impact soil
microbial properties and enzymatic activities, with higher
concentrations exerting pronounced effects on soil health
and plant growth.
• Changes in the physicochemical environment induced by
microplastics can further influence microbial diversity and
function, highlighting the intricate interplay between
microplastics and soil biota.
Microplastic Affinity and Pollution Transport

• Research on the affinity of microplastics has focused on understanding their interactions with different

pollutants, which depend on their shape, size, surface area, and type of microplastic.

• Studies have shown that microplastics can adsorb a wide range of contaminants, including polycyclic

aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), heavy metals, pesticides, and industrial

chemicals.

• This adsorption capacity is influenced by several factors, such as the microplastic's morphology and

surface, the contaminants' polarity and hydrophobicity, and environmental conditions, such as

temperature, pH, and water salinity [7].

 Impact on Nitrogen
Cycle

• Microplastics can influence nitrogen cycling processes

in soil ecosystems by interacting with soil microbial
communities and plant-microbe interactions.
• Soil microplastic is crucial in mediating the nitrogen
cycle, such as nitrogen fixation, nitrification,
denitrification, and ammonification. Studies suggest that
microplastic can affect the composition and activity of
Soil microbes.
• Changing microbial diversity and function induced by
microplastic alters the pathways of nitrogen
transformations in soil.
• It has a high surface area and can adsorb nitrogen,
potentially affecting uptake and metabolic processes.
Microplastics in Soil may indirectly influence the
nitrogen cycle by impacting plant-microbe interactions.
Conclusion

• In conclusion, microplastics and nanoplastics pose a significant threat

to terrestrial ecosystems. Addressing the issue of microplastics in Soil
requires a multifaceted approach, including better waste management
practices to reduce plastic pollution at its source, implementing
innovative technologies for microplastic removal from the Soil, and
raising awareness among the public about the consequences of
plastic pollution on soil health and ecosystem integrity. Furthermore,
research is needed to fully understand the long-term impacts of
microplastics on Soil and develop effective mitigation strategies.
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