Articles | Volume 8, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-421-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-421-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Polyester microplastic fibers affect soil physical properties and erosion as a function of soil type
Rosolino Ingraffia
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
Plant Ecology, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany
Gaetano Amato
Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
Fondazione A. e S. Lima Mancuso, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
Vincenzo Bagarello
Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
Francesco G. Carollo
Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
Dario Giambalvo
Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
Fondazione A. e S. Lima Mancuso, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
Massimo Iovino
Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
Anika Lehmann
Plant Ecology, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany
Matthias C. Rillig
Plant Ecology, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany
Alfonso S. Frenda
Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Plastic pollution poses a major threat to soils worldwide, yet global tracking remains fragmented. To address this, we built a global database by compiling over 6,000 records across 49 countries. We found that reported plastic amounts are highly uneven globally and vary significantly based on the detection method used. This standardized database provides a vital foundation for scientists and policymakers to map, monitor, and manage the ecological risks of soil pollution globally.
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We investigated the potential of adding mixtures composed of minimum dosages of several popular amendment types to soil. Our goal was to increase the resistance of agricultural soil to drought stress. We found that adding mixtures of three to five amendment types increased the capacity of soil to retain water, reduced soil erosion, and increased fungal abundance while buffering soil from drastic changes in pH. More research is encouraged to validate this approach.
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Short summary
The presence of microplastics in soil environments has received increased attention, but little research exists on the effects on different soil types and soil water erosion. We performed two experiments on the effects of polyester microplastic fiber on soil properties, soil aggregation, and soil erosion in three agricultural soils. Results showed that polyester microplastic fibers affect the formation of new aggregates and soil erosion and that such effects are strongly dependent on soil type.
The presence of microplastics in soil environments has received increased attention, but little...