Correlation of contamination/pollution from microplastics with physical properties of inceptisols

Abstract

Microplastic contamination of soil is increasingly impacting soil performance in agriculture. This research studied the relationship between microplastic contamination with the physical properties of Inceptisols at different slopes in the horticultural production center of Banuhampu, Agam, West Sumatra. The determination of soil samples was carried out by purposive random sampling with a quantitative survey method. Sample testing using randomized completely block design (RCBD) with five treatments and three replications: 25-45% in forests and 0-8%, 8-15%, 15-25%, and 25-45% in fields at a depth of 0-20 cm. Characteristics of physical properties of Inceptisols contaminated with microplastics have a moisture content of 31.69%, a bulk density of 0.78 g cm−3, a total pore space of 70.67% (without considering the importance of soil organic matter), and a soil texture class of sandy loam (68.19% sand, 19.55% silt, and 12.26% clay). The value of microplastic concentration in Inceptisols was 438.33 particles kg−1. The slope does not significantly affect the physical properties of Inceptisols contaminated with microplastics. The effect of microplastic contamination has a significant relationship with the physical properties of Inceptisols, namely clay with a value of r = 0.650** and a linear equation: Microplastic = 15.474 (Clay) + 248.57; R2 = 0.4228.