Exploring the unintended contribution of soil erosion research to microplastic contamination

Abstract

The global scientific community, particularly soil erosion researchers, is increasingly recognizing the urgent need to address plastic pollution and the accumulation of microplastics in soil. Human activities such as urban expansion, food packaging, and the use of agricultural materials have driven a significant rise in microplastic contamination. The problem is compounded by the difficulty, expense, and time-intensive nature of analyzing soil erosion samples to accurately identify microplastic types, sources, and their effects. Soil erosion, while naturally shaping landscapes like hillslopes, deltas or river valleys, has evolved into a critical issue due to human-induced changes, threatening fertile agricultural zones and areas prone to landslides, with serious economic and human consequences. While validated methods exist to quantify soil erosion, runoff, and pollutant concentrations, these techniques inadvertently introduce microplastics into the environment by plastic materials during sampling, transport, and lab analysis. This not only skews historical and current data on microplastic levels in soils but also alters natural soil conditions around research plots. To address these challenges, this paper advocates for the refinement of measurement techniques to minimize contamination, a reassessment of current methodologies, and a concerted effort to reduce human impact on soil health, thereby safeguarding a critical natural resource.