Bronte Wells
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that affects all ecosystems, including land, freshwater, and marine environments. While the impact of plastic pollution in oceans has received significant attention, the pollution on land may be even more severe. Land-based sources, such as urban and stormwater runoff, littering, industrial activities, tyre abrasion, construction, and agriculture, contribute significantly to plastic pollution. It is estimated that around one-third of all plastic waste ends up in soils or freshwater, with terrestrial microplastic pollution being four to 23 times higher than marine microplastic pollution. The long-term presence of microplastics in soil can have detrimental effects on terrestrial ecosystems and human health. Improper waste management, including burning plastics or leaving them in fields, further exacerbates the problem, leading to the release of toxic chemicals and the accumulation of plastic particles in the soil. Addressing plastic pollution requires a combination of improved waste management strategies, reduced plastic production, and the limitation of specific plastic items.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount of plastic pollution on land | Terrestrial microplastic pollution is estimated to be four to 23 times higher than marine microplastic pollution |
| How plastic pollution reaches land | Landfill, runoff from urban areas, stormwater, littering, industrial activities, tyre abrasion, construction, and agriculture |
| Impact on the environment | Plastic absorbs and concentrates pollutants and harbors pathogens, which can have detrimental effects on human and environmental health |
| Impact on wildlife | Land birds, such as the California condor, have been found with plastic in their stomachs, and animals that feed in waste dumps, such as cows, have had intestinal blockages from plastic packaging |
| Impact on soil | Plastic can break down into microplastics and nanoparticles, which can enter the food chain and have long-term negative effects on terrestrial ecosystems |
| Impact on water sources | Chlorinated plastic can release harmful chemicals into the surrounding soil and groundwater, potentially affecting the health of species that drink the water |
| Impact on human health | Microplastics have been found in human blood, placentas, food, drinks, and tap water; chemicals used in plastic production are known to be carcinogenic and can cause developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disorders |
| Impact on the economy | The buildup of plastic litter can negatively affect a country's economy, including sectors such as small and medium enterprises, tourism, agriculture, and water safety |
| Global efforts to address plastic pollution | The Global Symposium on Soil Pollution brought together science and policy experts to understand and address soil pollution; other efforts include fines for littering, fees or bans on certain plastic items, and improving waste management strategies |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic in soil
The particle size of plastic contaminants in soil can vary, including macroplastics (≥ 5 mm in diameter), mesoplastics (5 mm–2 cm), microplastics (< 5 mm in diameter), and nanoparticles (< 1 μm). These contaminants can take on various forms, such as films, fibers, fragments, beads, and foam. The presence of these plastic particles in the soil can have significant effects on the soil ecosystem and the organisms that reside within it.
Agricultural soils, including arable lands, paddy fields, uplands, irrigation areas, and greenhouse soils, are particularly vulnerable to plastic contamination. The sources of plastic contaminants in these soils can be both primary and secondary. Primary sources include sewage sludge, coated fertilizers, irrigation water, and agrochemicals. Secondary sources involve the gradual breakdown of larger plastic materials, such as mulching and greenhouse films. The extensive use of plastics in agriculture contributes significantly to this issue.
The impact of microplastics in soil has been a focus of recent research. Studies suggest that microplastics in soils can lead to a decrease in species diversity, particularly those that live below the surface, such as mites, larvae, and other tiny creatures that maintain land fertility. Additionally, microplastics in soil can act as vectors for chemicals and pathogens, potentially harming human health. For example, an experiment found that wheat plants grown in soils containing microplastics absorbed more cadmium, leading to concerns about elevated toxin levels in our food.
Addressing plastic pollution in soil requires a comprehensive approach. The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has emphasized the importance of sustainable plastic use based on the "6R principle," which stands for refusing, redesigning, reducing, reusing, recycling, and recovering plastics. Implementing coordinated actions and further research is crucial to mitigate the negative impacts of plastic pollution in soils and protect both the environment and human health.
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Landfills and incineration
Plastic pollution has contaminated all major ecosystems on the planet, with plastic debris being found in the natural and built environments, from the Antarctic tundra to tropical coral reefs. It poses a threat to wildlife and human health, with plastic particles being ingested by over 1,500 species of marine and terrestrial animals and microplastics being found in human organs.
The management of plastic waste is critical to tackling this problem. When plastic waste is not recycled, incinerated, or kept in sealed landfills, it becomes an environmental pollutant. Incineration is favoured by some as a means of energy recovery, substituting for burning dirty fossil fuels. However, burning plastic creates harmful dioxins, which can leak into the environment if incinerators are inefficient. While modern incinerators are said to have mitigated this problem, there are still concerns about locking in a demand for burning plastic and contributing to climate change.
Landfills, on the other hand, are preferred by some as a form of cheap carbon capture and storage. Plastics in landfills do not break down or emit greenhouse gases, unlike other forms of waste. However, the argument against landfills is that they contribute to the accumulation of plastic waste, which can take 100 to 1,000 years or more to decompose, persisting in the environment and fragmenting into microplastics.
The management of plastic waste varies across the world, with incineration being common in Europe and landfills being predominant in the United States, where three-quarters of plastics are landfilled. Inadequate waste management in high-income countries and the export of plastic scrap to countries with poor management infrastructure contribute significantly to plastic pollution in the oceans. Improving waste management strategies and promoting recycling are crucial to reducing plastic pollution, as simply reducing plastic production will not solve the problem of existing plastic waste.
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Microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems
Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5mm in size. They are distributed ubiquitously in environmental compartments and impact various ecosystems, including terrestrial ecosystems. Research on microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems is gaining momentum, with an increasing number of publications on this topic. However, compared to the 2882 publications focused on microplastics in marine ecosystems, the number of studies on terrestrial ecosystems is relatively small.
The concentration of microplastics (MPs) in the terrestrial environment varies by location, sources (point or non-point sources), soil net accumulation rate, and translocated distance from the source. MPs are delivered to terrestrial ecosystems through various pathways, including domestic and industrial wastewater, stormwater runoff, wash-off from plastic dumping sites, and agricultural land applying urban sewage sludge as fertilizer.
The widespread use of microplastics leads to environmental pollution, threatening ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling. Studies have shown that microplastics have overall negative effects on plant and soil phosphorus, inhibiting neutral phosphatase activity and increasing soil phosphorus leaching. Additionally, microplastics can impact the physicochemical and biological characteristics of soil, as well as soil biota. The long-term impact of microplastics in soil can lead to a decrease in species that live below the surface, such as mites, larvae, and other tiny creatures that maintain land fertility.
There is also concern about human exposure to microplastics, as these particles tend to bioaccumulate and biomagnify through the food chain. In addition, microplastics in agriculture can absorb and concentrate pollutants and harbor pathogens, posing risks to human health. Chlorinated plastic, for example, can release harmful chemicals into the soil, which can then contaminate groundwater and other water sources.
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Impact on human health
Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental issue, with far-reaching consequences for human health and well-being. The impact of plastic pollution on terrestrial ecosystems, including human populations, is significant and often overlooked in favour of marine environments. An estimated one-third of all plastic waste ends up in soils or freshwater, with terrestrial microplastic pollution estimated to be four to 23 times higher than marine pollution.
The proliferation of plastic waste on land has direct and indirect effects on human health. Firstly, plastic pollution contaminates soil and water sources, leading to the ingestion of microplastics and exposure to harmful chemicals. Microplastics, defined as plastic particles ranging from five millimetres to one nanometre, have been detected in human blood, organs, placentas, and faeces. They enter the human body through various pathways, including contaminated food and drinks and air. Research indicates that microplastics have been found in tap water, beer, salt, and even municipal drinking water systems.
The presence of microplastics in the human body can have detrimental health consequences. While the full extent of their impact is still being investigated, initial studies suggest potential links to developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disorders. Additionally, certain chemicals found in plastics, such as Bisphenol A (BPA), Phthalates, and Brominated Flame Retardants, are known to have negative effects on reproductive and nervous system development. These chemicals can leach into water sources, leading to potential health risks for humans who consume contaminated water.
Furthermore, the burning of plastic waste, often due to improper disposal methods, releases harmful chemicals like dioxins into the air. Inhaling these chemicals can have carcinogenic effects on humans. Landfills, which are commonly used for plastic waste disposal, also pose risks. Improperly managed landfills can lead to the escape of plastic waste and the release of landfill leachate containing toxic chemicals associated with plastic decomposition. These chemicals can then contaminate soil and water sources, further exacerbating the health risks for nearby human populations.
The impact of plastic pollution on human health extends beyond physical ailments. The ubiquity of plastic waste in the environment can have psychological and socio-economic repercussions. Visible plastic pollution in natural areas can negatively affect mental health and well-being, impacting individuals' connection to nature and sense of environmental security. Additionally, the economic consequences of plastic pollution, such as losses in sectors like tourism, agriculture, and water safety, can indirectly affect human health by influencing societal stability and access to essential resources.
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Land-based pollution sources
Land-based sources are recognized as the main cause of marine plastic pollution, contributing up to 80% of total marine debris. Most of the plastic in our oceans comes from land-based sources, with 70-80% transported from land to the sea via rivers or coastlines. The remaining 20-30% comes from marine sources such as fishing nets, lines, ropes, and abandoned vessels.
The extent and effectiveness of waste collection and management significantly impact the amount of land-based plastic that ends up in the sea. Rivers act as a conduit for significant amounts of macro- and microplastics, especially when their catchment areas include urbanized and industrial centers. The top river basins contributing to marine plastic pollution include the Yangtze, Xi, and Huangpu rivers in China; the Ganges in India; Cross in Nigeria; and the Amazon in Brazil.
Some of the most important land-based sources of larger plastic objects include construction, household goods, packaging, coastal tourism, and food and drink packaging. The most important sources of secondary microplastics are packaging materials, disposable products, textiles and clothing, roadway runoff (including tire dust), dust from construction, agricultural plastic, and input from abroad via rivers. The amount of microplastics entering via wastewater, sewage sludge, and compost is also considerable.
The long-term impact of microplastics in soil can have negative effects on terrestrial ecosystems, with an even greater impact than at sea. Microplastics in the soil can lead to a decrease in species that live below the surface, such as mites, larvae, and other tiny creatures that maintain land fertility. Chlorinated plastic can release harmful chemicals into the surrounding soil, which can then seep into groundwater or other water sources, causing potentially harmful effects on drinking species and humans.
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Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that 20 million metric tons of plastic waste end up in the environment every year, with around a third of all plastic produced ending up in soils or freshwaters.
Since the ocean is downstream from nearly every terrestrial location, it is the receiving body for much of the plastic waste generated on land. This is due to factors such as stormwater runoff, littering, and industrial activities.
Plastic pollution on land has been found to decrease species diversity, impacting the fertility of the land. It also releases potentially harmful chemicals into the soil, water, and air, which can have toxic effects on organisms, including humans.
Microplastics have been found in human blood and placentas, as well as in food and drinks. The chemicals used in plastic production are known to be carcinogenic and can cause developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disorders.
Improving waste management strategies is crucial to reducing plastic pollution on land. This includes recycling, incinerating, or properly disposing of plastic waste in sealed landfills. Additionally, reducing plastic production and limiting the use of certain plastic items can also help address this issue.
