The Impacts of Microplastics in Soil Ecosystems

Dear Colleagues,

Microplastics (<5 mm in diameter) pollution has caused widespread public concern due to its negative effects on ecosystems. Previous studies on microplastics (MPs) have mainly focused on ocean and freshwater ecosystems. Recently, the effects of MPs on soil ecosystems have been receiving increased global attention. MPs are detected in almost all soils worldwide. Horton et al. estimated that the amount of plastic entering the land each year is 4–23 times higher than that entering the ocean. In high MP-polluted areas, researchers have found that MP concentration could reach up to 6.7% of soil weight. Due to the use of soil amendments (e.g., organic fertilizer), degradation of plastic mulching, atmospheric fallout, precipitation and irrigation, MPs have also become an important emerging contaminant, affecting the health of soil ecosystems. Thus, more studies are needed to fully reveal the influence of MPs on soil ecosystems, especially for farmland ecosystems, which maintain critical food production.

This Special Issue is open to all aspects related to the impacts of MPs in soil ecosystems, particularly their ecotoxicology, food chain transmission, and impacts in soil physical properties. Long-term field studies are highly welcome. Studies on the distribution and detection of MPs in soil ecosystems are also welcome.

All contributions should conform to the aims and scope of Land. This Special Issue publishes reviews, regular research papers, communications, and short notes, and there is no restriction on the length of papers. The themes can include but are not limited to:

• The distribution, transformation, and transport of MPs in soil ecosystems;
• The impacts of MPs in soil physical properties, microbial communities, and animal and ecological function;
• The interactions of MPs with other pollutants and the biotic community in soil ecosystems;
• The ecotoxicology of MPs in soil ecosystems;
• Biofilm formation on microplastics and its ecological effect on soil ecosystems;
• The impact of MPs in soil health and sustainability.

Prof. Dr. Dong Zhu
Dr. Qinglin Chen
Guest Editors

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• Soil microbiome
• Soil food web
• Soil nutrient cycling
• Soil physical properties
• Functional genes
• Soil plastisphere
• Bioaccumulation
• Ecotoxicology
• Risk assessment
• Micro-/nanoplastics