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Effects of Micro-Nanoplastics Exposure to Earthworms in the Soil System

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Management of Micro and Nano-plastics in Soil and Biosolids

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Abstract

Micro-nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging contaminants that have been broadly identified as a danger to soil systems. MNPs are able to show toxicity and interact with heavy metals and other toxic elements in the soil systems, affecting soil productivity and causing toxicity. Earthworms are well recognized as farmers’ friends and their presence is important for retaining soil efficiency and health. The presence of MNPs significantly impacts soil macrofauna such as earthworms showing various harmful effects including mortality and reproductive toxicity. Keeping in view the above facts, this chapter focuses on the MNPs, including their source and characteristics in the soil environment, and their toxicity to earthworms. Furthermore, the combined effect of MNPs with heavy metals and organic pollutants along with the crucial challenges and future perspectives in reducing MNPs in soil environment are also discussed.

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Acknowledgments

Sartaj Ahmad Bhat acknowledges the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) for the JSPS International Postdoctoral Fellowship.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. River Basin Research Center, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan

    Sartaj Ahmad Bhat, Yongfen Wei & Fusheng Li

  2. Graduate School of Engineering, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan

    Zaw Min Han

  3. United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan

    Shiamita Kusuma Dewi

  4. School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China

    Guangyu Cui

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  1. Sartaj Ahmad Bhat
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  2. Zaw Min Han
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  3. Shiamita Kusuma Dewi
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  4. Guangyu Cui
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  5. Yongfen Wei
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  6. Fusheng Li
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Gifu University, Gifu, Japan

    Sartaj Ahmad Bhat

  2. Department of Microbiology, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India

    Vineet Kumar

  3. Gifu University, Gifu, Japan

    Fusheng Li

  4. CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nagpur, India

    Sunil Kumar

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Bhat, S.A., Han, Z.M., Dewi, S.K., Cui, G., Wei, Y., Li, F. (2024). Effects of Micro-Nanoplastics Exposure to Earthworms in the Soil System. In: Bhat, S.A., Kumar, V., Li, F., Kumar, S. (eds) Management of Micro and Nano-plastics in Soil and Biosolids. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-51967-3_8

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