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Microplastics in Agricultural Soils: An Emerging Threat to Soil Health, Microbial Ecology, Crop Productivity, and Food Safety

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: 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.

Source: International Journal of Plant & Soil Science

DOI: 10.9734/ijpss/2025/v37i55430

Authors: Souvik Ghosh, Divyansh Verma, Kishan Kumar, Raunak Pramanik, Sumana Balo, Debasis Mahata, Aakash Kumar Saini, Arghya Mani

Institutions: North Bengal Agricultural University, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, GIET University, Indian Institute of Soil Science, Government of West Bengal

Language: English

Topic: Microplastics and Plastic Pollution

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life on land, Zero hunger

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4409944948

FWCI: 1.796

Cites:

Cited by: 8

Related to: 10