The effects of microplastics on the soil ecosystem

Öz

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants yet recently there has been substantial attention on them since their presence on soil and water environments pose a great threat to all ecosystems. While the adverse effects of MPs on aquatic ecosystems are often expressed, large amounts of MP presence were reported in almost all marine ecosystems. Moreover, the increase in plastic materials in global scope, inappropriate plastic waste management, and lack of specification in the strategies over their disposal led to the increased MP contamination in terrestrial ecosystems. The effects of MPs in terrestrial environments have not yet been fully determined. Microplastic particles (<1 mm - 5mm) can be incorporated into the soil ecosystem either directly with applications such as sewage sludge, irrigation water or atmospheric deposition, etc. or indirectly via the disintegration of bigger plastic particles (plastic mulch materials) in situ with climatic factors. The MPs in soil ecosystems alter the physicochemical characteristics of the soil This effect may vary depending on the size, shape, type and amount of MPs. Different types of MPs’ polymer, size, and change might impact the decomposition of soil organic matter and the cycles of some plant nutrients differently. In addition to this impact over soil organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycles, altered soil microbial activity, bulk density, aggregate stability, water holding capacity, evaporation affect the soil and plant health adversely. This review aims to illuminate the direct impacts of MPs over soil and the changes occurring in soil characteristics due to the presence of MPs in the soil ecosystem.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Soil
• ecosystem
• microplastics
• soil properties
• soil health
• plant health

Toprak Ekosistemi Üzerine Mikroplastiklerin Etkileri

Öz

Mikroplastikler (MP’ler) yeni nesil olarak ortaya çıkan kirleticiler olmakla birlikte, su ve toprak ekosistemlerindeki varlıkları, tüm ekosistemler için büyük bir tehdit oluşturdukları için son zamanlarda büyük ilgi çekmektedir. MP’lerin denizel ekosistemlerde su üzerindeki olumsuz etkilerinin sıklıkla ortaya konulmasıyla birlikte, büyük miktarlarda MP varlığı çoğu denizel ekosistemlerde görülmeye başlanmıştır. Plastik malzemelerin üretiminin ve kullanımının küresel artışı, uygun olmayan plastik atık yönetimi ve bertarafına yönelik stratejilerinin tam belirlenmemiş olması, karasal ekosistemlerde de MP kirliliğinde artışa yol açmaktadır. Buna karşın, MP’lerin karasal ortamlardaki etkileri henüz tam olarak belirlenememiştir. Mikroplastik parçacıklar (<1mm-5mm) doğrudan (arıtma çamuru uygulamaları, sulama suları, atmosferik birikim vb. uygulamalarla), ya da dolaylı olarak büyük plastik parçaların iklimsel faktörler neticesinde yerinde bozunması (plastik malç materyali) ile toprak ekosistemine dahil olabilmektedir. Toprak ekosistemindeki MP’ler, toprağın fizikokimyasal özelliklerini değiştirebilmektedirler. Bu etki MP’lerin boyutuna, şekline, türüne ve miktarına bağlı olarak değişkenlik gösterebilmektedir. Toprakta bulunan MP’ler polimer türü, şekli ve boyutu açısından toprak organik maddesinin ayrışması ve bazı bitki besin maddeleri döngülerinde farklı etkiler sergilemektedir. Bunun yanısıra, toprağın fizikokimyasal özelliklerinden toprak mikrobiyal aktivitesi, hacim ağırlığı, agregat stabilitesi, su tutma kapasitesi, buharlaşma gibi parametreler toprak ve bitki sağlığı üzerine olumsuz etkiler göstermektedir. Bu derleme, MP’lerin toprak özellikleri üzerine etkilerine ve toprak ekosisteminde varlığı neticesinde meydana gelen değişikliklere ışık tutmayı amaçlamaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Toprak
• ekosistem
• mikroplastik
• toprak özellikleri
• toprak sağlığı
• bitki sağlığı

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