Effects of PET microplastics on the soil properties: A thermogravimetric approach

Effects of PET microplastics on the soil properties: A thermogravimetric approach

Abstract

The problem of microplastics, small plastic particles contaminating the environment, is a highly discussed topic nowadays. Studies monitoring environmental pollution by microplastics have found contamination of the oceans, glaciers, soil, air, fauna, flora, and human food. Thus, plastic pollution is now everywhere, and this fact makes the issue of plastics and microplastics a "major environmental problem" of our time [1]. Many studies demonstrate their negative impact on flora, fauna, and human health [2]. At present, research in the field of microplastics focused mainly on fresh or seawater. However, their effects on soil quality have not been described sufficiently yet. Nevertheless, it became clear that microplastics significantly impact soil properties, particularly soil aggregation, soil nitrogen and carbon content, water retention, or the stability and quality of soil organic matter [3]. In this study, the effects of PET microplastics on selected properties of three soil types were studied. In particular over 1 year, we tested changes in soil organic matter thermal properties, soil respiration, amount of water, water holding capacity, soil aggregation, and nutrient content. The results revealed specific effects of microplastics on soil properties, already at short incubation times. PET microplastics affected several soil properties including soil texture, water holding capacity, nutrient content, and activity of soil microorganisms represented by respiration. The results showed that the effects of PET microplastics on soil properties were soil-type-dependent and enabled to monitor a gradual incorporation of PET in soil. In addition, thermal analysis revealed the effect of PET on soil quality (priming effect) and also possible partial PET transformation. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to find a connection between these changes in soil properties and soil type and its specific characteristics. The work was supported by the project FCH-S-23-8297 of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic.

The problem of microplastics, small plastic particles contaminating the environment, is a highly discussed topic nowadays. Studies monitoring environmental pollution by microplastics have found contamination of the oceans, glaciers, soil, air, fauna, flora, and human food. Thus, plastic pollution is now everywhere, and this fact makes the issue of plastics and microplastics a "major environmental problem" of our time [1]. Many studies demonstrate their negative impact on flora, fauna, and human health [2]. At present, research in the field of microplastics focused mainly on fresh or seawater. However, their effects on soil quality have not been described sufficiently yet. Nevertheless, it became clear that microplastics significantly impact soil properties, particularly soil aggregation, soil nitrogen and carbon content, water retention, or the stability and quality of soil organic matter [3]. In this study, the effects of PET microplastics on selected properties of three soil types were studied. In particular over 1 year, we tested changes in soil organic matter thermal properties, soil respiration, amount of water, water holding capacity, soil aggregation, and nutrient content. The results revealed specific effects of microplastics on soil properties, already at short incubation times. PET microplastics affected several soil properties including soil texture, water holding capacity, nutrient content, and activity of soil microorganisms represented by respiration. The results showed that the effects of PET microplastics on soil properties were soil-type-dependent and enabled to monitor a gradual incorporation of PET in soil. In addition, thermal analysis revealed the effect of PET on soil quality (priming effect) and also possible partial PET transformation. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to find a connection between these changes in soil properties and soil type and its specific characteristics. The work was supported by the project FCH-S-23-8297 of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic.

microplastics, soil, soil properties, thermogravimetry

microplastics, soil, soil properties, thermogravimetry

KAMENÍKOVÁ, E.; BRTNICKÝ, M.; KUČERÍK, J.

28.08.2023

Central and Eastern European Committee for Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry (CEEC-TAC)

SITECH, Romania

978-606-11-8461-3

Book of abstracts of the 7th Central and Eastern European Conference on Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry (CEEC-TAC7)

267

267

1

https://www.ceec-tac.com/download.php?f=../download/BoA%20CEEC-TAC7.pdf