Sandeep Hasinthara

Bio: Sandeep Hasinthara is an academic researcher from University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The author has contributed to research in topics: Ecotoxicology & Trace metal. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 1 citations.

Microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems: Un-ignorable impacts on soil characterises, nutrient storage and its cycling

Abstract: Microplastics (size <5 mm) debris are environmentally persistent pollutants that severely affect terrestrial ecosystems by promoting the loss of soil fertility, and microbiome. The adverse effect of microplastics on the terrestrial ecosystem led to changes in physic-chemical and biological characteristics of soil resulting changes in nutrient cycling, and also future climatic risks. Therefore, understanding the potential sources, composition, abundance, life cycle and transport of microplastics is a huge challenge and an important topic of global debate among scientific communities. The present review is focused to bridge the gap by illustrating the potential sources, transport and disintegration of microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems. Further, the impacts of microplastic pollutants on soil characteristics, nutrient storage and cycling are discussed. The identified scientific gaps will be useful to environmentalists, microbiologists, hydrologists, and policymakers for a better understanding of microplastic pollution and to investigate future engineering solutions.

Microplastics as an Emerging Environmental Pollutant in Agricultural Soils: Effects on Ecosystems and Human Health

Abstract: Microplastics are &lt;5 mm in size, made up of diverse chemical components, and come from multiple sources. Due to extensive use and unreasonable disposal of plastics, microplastics have become a global environmental issue and have aroused widespread concern about their potential ecological risks. This review introduces the sources, distribution and migration of microplastics in agricultural soil ecosystems. The effects of microplastics on soil physicochemical properties and nutrient cycling are also discussed. Microplastics can alter a series of key soil biogeochemical processes by changing their characteristics, resulting in multiple effects on the activities and functions of soil microorganisms. The effects of microplastics on soil animals and plants, the combined effects of microplastics and coexisting pollutants (organic pollutants and heavy metals), and their potential risks to human health are also discussed. Finally, prevention and control strategies of microplastic pollution in agricultural soil ecosystems are put forward, and knowledge gaps and future research suggestions about microplastic pollution are given. This review improves the understanding of environmental behavior of microplastics in agricultural soil ecosystems, and provides a theoretical reference for a better assessment of the ecological and environmental risks of microplastics.

Microplastics in Agricultural Systems: Analytical Methodologies and Effects on Soil Quality and Crop Yield

Abstract: Around one million metric ton of plastics is produced worldwide daily. Plastic contamination is aggravated when the particles reach sizes between 5 mm and 1 μm, giving rise to microplastics, which are omnipresent in the environment, especially in agroecosystems. To appreciate the magnitude of this problem, this review analyzes 177 scientific works to focus on the occurrence and effects of microplastics in agricultural soils. Firstly, the sources, behavior and fate of microplastics in agroecosystems are evaluated. Then, in the absence of a standard methodology for the study of microplastics in farmland soils, the procedures which have been employed for microplastic separation (density and floatation in 73% of the discussed works), identification and quantification (stereomicroscopy, 77%; infrared analysis, 62%) are addressed to provide a practical work guideline. Finally, we highlight the interaction between microplastics and soil microbiota, fauna and vegetation (negative effects reported in 83% of cases), including crop production (decrease in growth parameters in 63% of the reports). From this review, it can be inferred that microplastics may disrupt the biophysical environment of farmland soil, potentially leading to economic losses and to their entrance into the trophic food chain, affecting human feeding and health.