Microplastics in agricultural soils: sources, effects, and their fate

Microplastics have been a global environmental concern owing to their widespread pollution, which may pose risks to food security and human health once entering into agricultural soils. In this review article, major sources of microplastics entering agricultural soils were summarized with the emphasis of different characterizations and environmental fate from each source. Within the agricultural soil systems, the transformation and transport processes of microplastics were analyzed, highlighting the effects of ultraviolet irradiation and mechanical abrasion from soil fauna and agricultural practices. Furthermore, the direct and indirect effects of microplastics on soil fauna and plants in agricultural soils were summarized. Finally, based on the current research gaps, future research directions were proposed on three aspects, including standardization methods of various types of microplastics, interactions of microplastics and other pollutants, and the environmental aging effects of microplastics in agricultural soils on the long-term risks to human health.