Journal Clean WAS (JCleanWAS)

Microplastic (MP) contamination has become a great environmental threat, classically considered as exclusive to aquatic systems; yet, evidence suggests that agricultural soils currently act as important sinks of MPs. Widespread use of plastic materials in agriculture (e.g., mulching films, greenhouse covers, sewage sludge amendments, compost application and contaminated irrigation water) has expedited the enrichment of microplastics on terrestrial ecosystems. This newly emerging pollution posed great risks to soil health, crop production and food safety even world food security. Microplastics in soil have negative effects on the physical structure of soil like porosity formation and aggregation, the size and composition of microbial community in soils which are more environmental functional traits as well as with key functional biogeochemical cycles. Furthermore, microplastics may adsorb and transport co-contaminants, such as heavy metals and pesticides, enhancing their ecological toxicity. Emerging studies also show the absorption and transportation of microplastic particles in crop plants, thereupon entry into food chains and potential human consumption are some concerns. However, our knowledge is however still limited about the fate and long￾term impact of microplastics in soil–plant systems, as well as their transport processes within that environment. The absence of standardized detection methodologies, toxicological endpoints, and field-based measures continues to limit the ability to conduct reliable risk assessment. This review provides an overview on sources behavior, interactions with soil–microbes, pathways for crop uptake and analytical methods of detecting microplastics in agricultural soils. Finally, some critical research gaps and the future perspectives are summarized to facilitate sustainable agricultural strategies used for protecting food security against
increased microplastic pollution.