Fate of microplastics in soil and their impact on soil properties

Fate of microplastics in soil and their impact on soil properties

Abstract

In recent years, microplastics, tiny plastic particles that enter the environment through various pathways [1], have become the subject of intense research and growing public concern. These particles have been detected in all ecosystems, with soil being one of the main, but insufficiently studied, reservoirs of their presence [2]. In particular, microplastics based on polyethylene terephthalate (PET), commonly used for example in packaging materials, pose a potential risk to soil quality, functionality and the ability of soil to perform its ecological functions [3]. This work focuses on the impact of PET microplastics on selected key soil properties, with an emphasis on their impact on thermal behaviour of soil. A series of laboratory experiments were carried out to observe the behaviour of microplastics of two different sizes in seven selected agricultural soil types, with different properties and sampling locations, during short- and medium-term incubation. It was shown that the presence of PET microplastics influences the course of mass loss at typical temperature intervals of degradation of the different soil components and thus affects the thermal stability of the soil. At the same time, the results show that PET microplastics also affect other biotic and abiotic soil properties such as field water holding capacity, aggregation and respiration. Surface degradation of the microplastic were also observed. The results demonstrated that microplastics affect the physicochemical balance of the soil environment, but also its thermal characteristics, which can have significant impacts on soil health and productivity.

In recent years, microplastics, tiny plastic particles that enter the environment through various pathways [1], have become the subject of intense research and growing public concern. These particles have been detected in all ecosystems, with soil being one of the main, but insufficiently studied, reservoirs of their presence [2]. In particular, microplastics based on polyethylene terephthalate (PET), commonly used for example in packaging materials, pose a potential risk to soil quality, functionality and the ability of soil to perform its ecological functions [3]. This work focuses on the impact of PET microplastics on selected key soil properties, with an emphasis on their impact on thermal behaviour of soil. A series of laboratory experiments were carried out to observe the behaviour of microplastics of two different sizes in seven selected agricultural soil types, with different properties and sampling locations, during short- and medium-term incubation. It was shown that the presence of PET microplastics influences the course of mass loss at typical temperature intervals of degradation of the different soil components and thus affects the thermal stability of the soil. At the same time, the results show that PET microplastics also affect other biotic and abiotic soil properties such as field water holding capacity, aggregation and respiration. Surface degradation of the microplastic were also observed. The results demonstrated that microplastics affect the physicochemical balance of the soil environment, but also its thermal characteristics, which can have significant impacts on soil health and productivity.

microplastics, PET, changes in soil properties

microplastics, PET, changes in soil properties

KAMENÍKOVÁ, E.; HRUŠKOVÁ, A.; BRTNICKÝ, M.; ŠUDOMOVÁ, L.; KUČERÍK, J.

16.09.2025

SITECH, Romania

Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

CEEC-TAC8, BOOK OF ABSTRACTS

150

150

1

https://www.ceec-tac.com/download.php?f=../download/BoA%20CEEC-TAC8.pdf