Soil texture is an important factor determining how microplastics affect soil hydraulic characteristics

Microplastic pollution and changes to soil hydraulic characteristics affect the physical properties and functions of soil; however, knowledge remains limited on how microplastics influence soil hydraulic properties. Nonetheless, it is important to understand these relationships to maintain soil health and ensure sustainable land use, especially in the current "plastic age." This case study explored how different particle sizes (20, 200, and 500 μm) and concentrations (up to 6%) of polypropylene microplastics affect the hydraulic properties of three soil textures (loam, clay, and sand). The results show that addition of microplastic reduced the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) of the three soils by 69.79%,…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Award: 41977076
• FR
  Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

  Award: 2452021165
• SF
  Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of Tianjin

  Award: 2021JC-50