Status, sources, environmental fate and ecological consequences of microplastic pollution in soil

Microplastic, as an emerging contaminant, is widely present in the global environment. At present, microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems, especially the marine environment, has been studied extensively and deeply. However, soil microplastic contamination has only become a growing concern in recent years. In this paper, the current pollution status, sources, environmental fates and ecological effects of soil microplastics were reviewed. microplastics are widely distributed in different types of soil and may threaten the health and functions of soil ecosystems. And there are many paths for microplastics to enter the soil, including degradation of plastic film residues, sludge composting, sewage irrigation, organic fertilizers, atmospheric deposition and so on. Meanwhile, microplastics in the soil environment will continue to degrade or migrate under the actions of external factors. In addition, this paper focused on the ecological consequences of microplastic pollution on soil ecosystems, including the effects on soil physicochemical properties, soil fauna, microorganisms and plants. In order to strengthen the research of soil microplastic pollution and promote the sustainable use of land resources, the perspectives of future research were prospected. © 2021, Editorial Board of China Environmental Science. All right reserved.