Microplastics make the soil less fertile. Free Technical Library News

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Microplastics make soil less fertile

14.09.2019

The negative impact of plastic waste on the ocean is already well known. New research shows that this pollutant can also make the soil significantly less fertile.

Scientists from Anglia Ruskin University (UK) found that microplastics retard the growth of worms. Given the role of these animals in saturating the soil with nutrients, any interference with their activities can have a serious negative impact on entire ecosystems and hinder the growth of crops that humans feed on.

Exposure to plastic, commonly found in bottles and bags, caused earthworms to lose 3,1% of their body weight over a 30-day period, according to a new study. During the same period, earthworms in plastic-free soil increased their mass by 5,1%.

This is a concern because worms are "ecosystem engineers": they ingest dead organic matter, improve soil structure, promote drainage, and even prevent erosion. If worms lose mass and stunted, this can seriously damage biodiversity.

Researchers don't yet know the specific reasons why microplastics cause worms to lose weight. Perhaps the reaction of earthworms to plastic can be compared with the same mechanisms in aquatic worms that have previously been studied. In aquatic worms, microplastics cause obstruction and irritation of the digestive tract, making it harder for the animals to absorb nutrients and slowing down their growth.

Any pollution that affects the health of earthworms can negatively affect other aspects of the soil ecosystem, such as plant growth.

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