Exploring microplastics as a macro problem for agricultural lands and terrestrial ecosystems: A review focuses on the research insights and challenges

초록

Microplastics (MPs) are persistent pollutants that pose significant environmental challenges globally. The primary reservoir of MPs is soil, which is a thin stratum formed by rock weathering. However, our understanding of MPs' environmental and ecological impacts remains incomplete. The movement, transport, distribution, and ultimate fate of MPs in soil ecosystems, as well as their uptake by plants, are influenced by their physicochemical properties, soil characteristics, agricultural practices, and the heterogeneity of the soil biosphere. MPs have been identified as vectors for various environmental contaminants, and the mechanisms of their adsorption that affect soil properties have been explored. This review also describes how MP-induced stress impairs plant growth and physiological function by altering soil productivity. To scientifically assess MP contamination, methods for isolating and examining soil MPs have been outlined, contrasting the merits and limitations of different techniques and highlighting the potential challenges. Promising technologies for MP removal and degradation have been identified, including physicochemical and biological methods along with their mechanisms and determining factors. Among biological approaches, phytoremediation has emerged as a leading sustainable method, gaining prominence owing to the limitations of conventional techniques, and is briefly discussed here as a future prospect. Drawing on recent research and relevant case studies, a range of practical solutions is suggested. Furthermore, the necessity for cross-sector and cross-jurisdictional collaboration to effectively address this pressing environmental issue is emphasized. The insights from this study contribute to a broader understanding of microplastics and offer valuable information for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders.

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