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| Advances in research on the ecological effects of microplastic pollution on soil ecosystems |
| Received:October 17, 2017 |
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| KeyWord:microplastic;pollution;adsorption;separation and detection;soil ecosystem;material circulation;soil fauna |
| Author Name | Affiliation | E-mail | | REN Xin-wei | College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China | | | TANG Jing-chun | College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin 300071, China
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Tianjin 300071, China | tangjch@nankai.edu.cn | | YU Chen | College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China | | | HE Juan | College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China | |
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| Abstract: |
| Microplastics are a new type of environmental pollutants characterized by their small particle size(<5 mm), wide distribution, and resistance to recovery. Owing to their long residue time in soil, microplastics can be accidentally ingested by soil fauna and, thereby, enter the food chain, which can subsequently influence the growth, development, and reproduction of soil fauna by damaging the organisms' organs and DNA. The toxins released during microplastic degradation and the absorption of environmental pollutants by microplastics also threaten soil ecosystems. Primary microplastics are derived from the raw material used for plastic production, whereas secondary microplastics result from the environmental degradation of large plastic products. As microplastics come from many sources, exist in many types, and are found in complex environments, they are difficult to be separated or detected. Recent studies have mainly focused on aquatic ecosystems and have rarely investigated the effects of microplastics on soil ecosystems. However, the plastic materials used in production and manufacturing are abundant, in both quantity and form, and some of these are released into soil systems. This review summarizes the classification, sources, sampling, and detection of microplastics, as well as related environmental problems, such as soil pollution, pollutant absorption, and effects on soil fauna, microbial ecology, and carbon and nitrogen circulation. The discussion of the ecological effects of microplastics could stimulate new ideas for future research. |
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