Microplastics in Agricultural Soils: An Emerging Threat to Soil Health, Microbial Ecology, Crop Productivity, and Food Safety
Souvik Ghosh
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, F/C of Agriculture, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Coochbehar, West Bengal, India.
Divyansh Verma
Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu, India.
Kishan Kumar
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Raunak Pramanik
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Coochbehar, West Bengal, India.
Sumana Balo
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, School of Agriculture, GIET University, Gunupur, Rayagada, Odisha, India.
Debasis Mahata
Uttar Dinajpur Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chopra, Uttar Dinajpur (Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Coochbehar, West Bengal), India.
Aakash Kumar Saini
Division of Soil Science, ICAR - Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Arghya Mani *
Department of Horticulture, DFPI&H, Government of West Bengal, West Bengal, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
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.
Keywords: Microplastics, agricultural soils, soil microbiology, human health, plastic pollution, biodegradation