Impacts of microplastics on terrestrial plants
A critical review
Bibliographic Data
Microplastic (MP) pollution is an important environmental problem owing to its widespread use, long residence time, and overall persistence. MPs threaten the health of humans, animals, and plants. However, studies on the effects of MPs on terrestrial plants are less common compared to those conducted in aquatic systems. This review discusses the sources of MPs in terrestrial ecosystems, their effects on C and N cycling in soils, and the impact of MPs on terrestrial plants, and focuses on plant growth and the potential risks to human health. MPs affect plants and their performance by altering soil structure, microbial activity, nutrient immobilization, transporting contaminants, and causing direct toxicity. Chemicals, such as plasticizers, additives, and colorants, in MPs may negatively affect ecosystems and their inhabitants, and MPs may interact with a wide array of pollutants, including pesticides, heavy metals, and antibiotics. These impacts vary as a function of soil type, plant species, and MP type. Future research efforts should focus on interaction complexity, uptake mechanisms, and impacts on plants at multiple spatiotemporal scales, while concurrently considering their effects on food chains and human health
Biology · Ecosystem · Environmental resource management · Microplastics · Terrestrial ecosystem · Terrestrial plant · biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties · Environmental Science · Microplastics and Plastic Pollution · Ecology
Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made
The M icrobial E fficiency‐ M atrix S tabilization ( Mems ) framework integrates plant litter decomposition with soil organic matter stabilization
Effective uptake of submicrometre plastics by crop plants via a crack-entry mode
The geological cycle of plastics and their use as a stratigraphic indicator of the Anthropocene
| Unique citing works | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 2 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |