Effect and environmental behaviour of microplastics in soil

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Ecotoxicology
• Bibliometrics

Background:

• Microplastic pollution in soils is a significant worldwide environmental concern.
• Microplastics are persistent organic pollutants that pose risks to ecosystems and human health.
• Understanding the environmental behavior of soil microplastics is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a bibliometric analysis of research on the environmental behavior of microplastics in soils.
• To identify research trends, hotspots, and knowledge gaps in soil microplastic studies from 2012 to 2022.
• To provide insights for future research directions in soil microplastic pollution.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis of scientific literature.
• Data sourced from the Web of Science core database (2012-2022).
• Statistical analysis of publication trends, leading countries, and research themes.

Main Results:

• A significant upward trend in publications on soil microplastic pollution since 2012.
• China, the United Kingdom, and the United States are leading countries in this research area.
• Current research primarily focuses on microplastic identification, enrichment, and toxicity, with limited studies on migration, transformation, and interactions with other pollutants.

Conclusions:

• The field of soil microplastic research is expanding rapidly, with a notable increase in publications.
• While identification, enrichment, and toxicity are well-studied, there is a critical need for more research into the environmental fate and interactions of microplastics in soil ecosystems.
• Future research should prioritize understanding microplastic migration, transformation, and their combined effects with other soil contaminants.