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Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management

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30-11-2023 | SPECIAL FEATURE: ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Assessment of microplastic pollution in agricultural soil of Bhopal, Central India

Authors: Surya Singh, Sankar Chakma, Bablu Alawa, Madhanraj Kalyanasundaram, Vishal Diwan

Published in: Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management | Issue 2/2024

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Abstract

Occurrence of microplastics in various environmental matrices is a global reality. Considering the significance of this fact, scientists are trying to identify and characterize this emerging contaminant in a variety of abiotic as well as biotic matrices, so that effective preventive measures may be adopted. Increasing plastic usage in agricultural practices in the form of packaging, mulching etc. have introduced this contaminant in agricultural soil as well. Therefore, present study was carried out in agricultural soil of Bhopal, Central India. Microplastics in agricultural soil were identified and characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, and further assessed for possible ecological risks. An amount of 307.5 ± 9.19 and 69.5 ± 4.95 particles were found in the 10 soil samples collected from each of the Bhauri and Kokta agricultural areas of Bhopal, respectively. Polyethylene and polypropylene were the most abundant microplastic polymers. Presence of these particles resulted in ‘very-low’ to ‘low’ hazard to the soil. Presence of plastic particles in agricultural soil of Bhopal was attributed to the littering of plastic packaging materials of various agrochemicals, and atmospheric deposition. Presence of microplastics may pose considerable risk to the agricultural soil, crop health, and subsequently to human health. Therefore, control measures to minimize plastic pollution need to be adopted.

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Title: Assessment of microplastic pollution in agricultural soil of Bhopal, Central India
Authors: Surya Singh
Sankar Chakma
Bablu Alawa
Madhanraj Kalyanasundaram
Vishal Diwan
Publication date: 30-11-2023
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management / Issue 2/2024
Print ISSN: 1438-4957
Electronic ISSN: 1611-8227
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-023-01805-6

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