🌱 Microplastics in Soil
Soil microplastic concentration can be 4-23x higher than in oceans. Microplastics alter soil microbial communities and reduce basal respiration.
Key Details
- Sources: mulching films, sewage sludge, tyre wear, plastic litter.
- Fragments <5 mm disrupt the fungal-bacterial balance.
- Reduced nitrogen fixation affects crop yields.
- Microplastics can leach into groundwater.
- Mitigation: biodegradable mulch, sludge pre-treatment, soil filters.
Sources
💡 Lesson LearnedTerrestrial microplastic pollution is under-reported and directly threatens food security.