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Impact of Microplastic Pollution on Soil and Groundwater Environment

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Soil and Water".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 September 2025 | Viewed by 240

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Eco-Restoration of Regional Contaminated Environment, Shenyang University, Shenyang, China
Interests: emerging contaminants; environmental behaviour; environmental analytical chemistry; risk assessment; bioremediation; soil and water pollution
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Guest Editor
Plant Protection College, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
Interests: soil health; pollution remediation; degradable plastic film; microplastics; plant protection; prevention and control of plastic film pollution

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Guest Editor
Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenyang 110161, China
Interests: sustainable agriculture; soil health; crop rotation systems; water use efficiency; agroecology; climate-resilient farming; prevention and control of plastic film pollution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Microplastic pollution has become an environmental issue of global concern. However, current research mainly focuses on the marine environment, and studies on terrestrial and subsurface environments, particularly soil and groundwater systems, are still in their infancy. Recent research suggests that microplastics are pervasive in agricultural soils, urban areas, and even remote regions, originating from sources such as plastic mulching, wastewater irrigation, and atmospheric deposition. Despite growing evidence of their presence, the mechanisms governing microplastic transport, retention, and degradation in soil and groundwater remain poorly understood. Furthermore, the ecological and toxicological effects of microplastics on soil organisms, plant health, and groundwater ecosystems are yet to be fully elucidated.

This Special Issue aims to explore the multifaceted impacts of microplastic pollution on soil and groundwater environments, addressing a critical gap in our understanding of the long-term ecological and environmental impact of microplastic contamination. This Special Issue primarily aims to investigate the sources, distribution, behavior, and fate of microplastics in soil and groundwater systems. We seek to understand how microplastics interact with soil biota, alter soil physicochemical properties, and influence the quality of groundwater. Additionally, this Special Issue will explore the potential risks posed by microplastics to ecosystems, human health, and agricultural productivity. We provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge, identify key research gaps, and propose mitigation strategies to address this emerging environmental challenge.

Through this Special Issue, we hope to contribute to the development of sustainable solutions for environmental protection and resource management.

Prof. Dr. Qing Luo
Dr. Ning Yang
Dr. Liangshan Feng
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • microplastics
  • soil pollution
  • groundwater contamination
  • environmental impact
  • ecotoxicology
  • plastic degradation
  • soil–groundwater interaction
  • pollution mitigation

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

22 pages, 1628 KiB  
Review
Microplastics in Aquatic Ecosystems: A Global Review of Distribution, Ecotoxicological Impacts, and Human Health Risks
by Atiqur Rahman Sunny, Sharif Ahmed Sazzad, Mohammed Ariful Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Mithun, Monayem Hussain, António Raposo and Md Khurshid Alam Bhuiyan
Water 2025, 17(12), 1741; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17121741 (registering DOI) - 9 Jun 2025
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs), defined as synthetic polymer particles less than 5 mm in diameter, are widely acknowledged as ubiquitous contaminants in aquatic ecosystems, including freshwater, marine, and polar environments. Global concern with MPs has significantly increased; nevertheless, much of the current knowledge remains fragmented [...] Read more.
Microplastics (MPs), defined as synthetic polymer particles less than 5 mm in diameter, are widely acknowledged as ubiquitous contaminants in aquatic ecosystems, including freshwater, marine, and polar environments. Global concern with MPs has significantly increased; nevertheless, much of the current knowledge remains fragmented and, at times, limited to specific regions or ecological compartments. This study emphasizes the necessity of a thorough synthesis by critically analyzing global microplastics’ dispersion patterns, ecological consequences, and associated human health concerns. A systematic approach was employed, integrating specific search terms and establishing inclusion and exclusion criteria across various scientific databases to obtain a representative collection of literature. The study covers important topics such as the classification of MPs, their distribution, environmental impacts, and interactions with other pollutants, including heavy metals, pharmaceuticals and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Particular emphasis is placed on comparing ecosystem-specific vulnerabilities, such as those found in tropical wetlands, marine gyres, and polar systems. The review examines potential human exposure pathways, via contaminated seafood, water, and air, while also compiling new information about cellular and physiological damage, including oxidative stress, inflammation, hormone disruption, and possible genetic effects. This investigation highlights the value of collaborative monitoring, the adoption of biodegradable alternatives, policy development, and interdisciplinary research by integrating knowledge from ecology and public health. The primary objective is to advance ecosystem-specific mitigation techniques and promote evidence-based policy development in addressing this intricate environmental issue. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Microplastic Pollution on Soil and Groundwater Environment)
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