Minimal Impacts of Microplastics on Soil Physical Properties under Environmentally Relevant Concentrations

Yu, Yingxue; Battu, Anil Krishna; Varga, Tamas; Denny, Adam C.; Zahid, Tahsin Md.; Chowdhurry, Indranil; Flury, Markus

doi:10.1021/acs.est.2c09822

Title: Minimal Impacts of Microplastics on Soil Physical Properties under Environmentally Relevant Concentrations

Journal Article · Thu Mar 23 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · Environmental Science and Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c09822· OSTI ID:1970156

^[1]; Battu, Anil Krishna ^[2];

^[2]; Denny, Adam C. ^[2];

^[1]; Chowdhurry, Indranil ^[1];

^[1]

Washington State University, Pullman, WA (United States)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

Agricultural soils are a major reservoir of microplastics, and concerns have arisen about the impacts of microplastics on soil properties and functioning. In this report we measured the physical properties of a silt loam in response to the incorporation of polyester fibers and polypropylene granules over a wide range of concentrations. We further elucidated the underlying mechanisms through determining the role of microplastic shape and the baseline effects from the amendment of soil particles. The incorporation of microplastics into soil tended to increase contact angle and saturated hydraulic conductivity, decrease bulk density and water holding capacity, while did not affect aggregate stability. Polyester fibers affected soil physical properties more profoundly than polypropylene granules, due to the vastly different shape of fibers from that of soil particles. However, changes in soil properties were gradual, and significant changes did not occur until a high concentration of microplastics was reached (i.e., 0.5% w/w for polyester fibers and 2% w/w for polypropylene granules). Currently, microplastic concentrations in soils not heavily polluted with plastics are far below these concentrations, and results from this study suggest that microplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations have no significant effects on soil physical properties.

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Research Organization:: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-76RL01830; 2020-67019-31167/1022800

OSTI ID:: 1970156

Report Number(s):: PNNL-SA-183046

Journal Information:: Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 57, Issue 13; ISSN 0013-936X

Publisher:: American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
soil physical properties
microplastics
microplastic shape
polyester
polypropylene
soil health
water holding capacity
contact angle
wet aggregate stability

Title: Minimal Impacts of Microplastics on Soil Physical Properties under Environmentally Relevant Concentrations

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