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Microplastics, Their Toxic Effects on Living Organisms in Soil Biota and Their Fate: An Appraisal

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Soil Health and Environmental Sustainability

Part of the book series: Environmental Science and Engineering ((ESE))

Abstract

Microplastics are miniature plastic fragments that originate as a result of the advancement of commercial products as well as the breakdown of bigger plastics. Microplastics have been identified as a serious global environmental issue due to its poor waste management. This review covers the impact of microplastics on the soil ecosystem, their transit behaviour, and their impact on numerous organisms. The impact of microplastics on soil animals and plants, is influenced by the size, shape, and concentration of microplastics in the soil. Microplastic has been found in a variety of soil types, including agricultural, industrial, and coastal soils. Plastic particles in soil have increased, posing a major threat to soil ecosystem functioning, including the soil microbial population, nitrogen cycle, and higher organisms. The current review highlights and assimilates the findings of other scientists so that it can serve as a resource for readers and scientists dealing with microplastics, including toxicity, risk assessment in the environment, and microplastic treatment options.

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Acknowledgements

Authors are thankful to Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi for infrastructural support in the form of DST-FIST (SR/FST/LS-I/2018/173), and to DST-Govt. of West Bengal for financial support [261(Sanc./ST/P/ S&T/1G-59/2017].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Genetics and Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, Ranchi Road, Purulia, 723104, West Bengal, India

    Sourav Bhattacharyya, Sanjib Gorain, Monoj Patra, Anup Kumar Rajwar, Dinesh Gope, Santosh Kumar Giri, Jayeeta Pal, Madhumita Mahato, Shuli Barik & Surjyo Jyoti Biswas

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  1. Sourav Bhattacharyya
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  2. Sanjib Gorain
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  10. Surjyo Jyoti Biswas
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Correspondence to Surjyo Jyoti Biswas .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Geography, Raja N. L. Khan Womens College (Autonomous), Midnapore, West Bengal, India

    Pravat Kumar Shit

  2. Soil Science, ICAR Indian Institute of Water Management, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

    Partha Pratim Adhikary

  3. GIS Scientist, TPF Getinsa Euroestudios S.l, Gurgaon, Haryana, India

    Gouri Sankar Bhunia

  4. Department of Geology and Geophysics, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India

    Debashish Sengupta

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Bhattacharyya, S. et al. (2022). Microplastics, Their Toxic Effects on Living Organisms in Soil Biota and Their Fate: An Appraisal. In: Shit, P.K., Adhikary, P.P., Bhunia, G.S., Sengupta, D. (eds) Soil Health and Environmental Sustainability. Environmental Science and Engineering. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-09270-1_17

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