Soil Microplastics

Soil microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters that accumulate in terrestrial environments and can alter soil structure, chemistry, and biological activity. They enter soil through the breakdown of larger plastic waste, agricultural films, compost, wastewater, and atmospheric deposition, then move through erosion, water flow, and biological activity. Their effects depend on particle size, polymer type, concentration, and associated chemicals, with potential consequences for soil organisms, nutrient cycling, plant growth, and contaminant transport. Studying soil microplastics helps researchers assess pollution pathways, evaluate risks to terrestrial ecosystems, and develop improved waste-management and environmental-monitoring strategies.

Soil Microplastics - Related Videos

Research

JoVE Journal - Environment

Separation and Identification of Conventional Microplastics from Farmland Soils

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Cited by 4 •

2025

Presented here is a method for extracting microplastics from soil and identifying their polymer types. The method has been optimized for execution, applicability, and cost-effectiveness. It lays a scientific foundation for standardizing the analytical method to identify microplastics in soils.

Research

JoVE Journal - Environment
Free Sample

Sampling and Identification of Microplastics in Groundwater

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2025

Here, we provide a detailed description of sampling groundwater from a borehole for microplastics analysis using a patented sampling system developed for this purpose. The protocol details the methods for sampling microplastics from boreholes, as well as the separation and chemical identification of microplastics.

Research

JoVE Journal - Environment
Free Sample

Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis

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Cited by 186 •

2016

The protocol below describes the methodology for: microplastics sampling on the sea surface, separation of microplastic and chemical identification of particles. This protocol is in line with the recommendations for microplastics monitoring published by the MSFD Technical Subgroup on Marine Litter.

Research

JoVE Journal - Environment
Free Sample

Methods of Soil Resampling to Monitor Changes in the Chemical Concentrations of Forest Soils

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Cited by 19 •

2016

Repeated soil sampling has recently been shown to be an effective way to monitor forest soil change over years and decades. To support its use, a protocol is presented that synthesizes the latest information on soil resampling methods to aid in the design and implementation of successful soil monitoring programs.

Measurements of Soil Carbon by Neutron-Gamma Analysis in Static and Scanning Modes

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Cited by 8 •

2017

Here, we present the protocol for in situ measurement of soil carbon using the neutron-gamma technique for single point measurements (static mode) or field averages (scanning mode). We also describe system construction and elaborate data treatment procedures.

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