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Updated: Oct 16, 2026

Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture
Published on: May 10, 2013
A review of the occurrence and degradation of biodegradable microplastics in soil environments
Shanshan Feng1, Haodong Wang1, Yan Wang1
1Key Lab of Eco-Restoration of Regional Contaminated Environment, Ministry of Education, Shenyang University, Shenyang 110044, China.
Abstract:
The use of plastics for manufacturing of products and packaging has become ubiquitous. This is because plastics are cheap, pliable, and durable. However, these characteristics of plastics have also led to their disposal in landfill, where they persist. To overcome the environmental challenge posed by conventional plastics (CPs), biodegradable plastics (BDPs) are increasingly being used. However, BDPs form residual microplastics (MPs) at a rate that far exceeds that of CPs, and MPs have negative impacts on the soil environment. This review aimed to evaluate whether the move away from CPs to BDPs is having an overall positive impact on the environment considering the formation of MPs. Topics focused on in this review include the degradation of BDPs in the soil environment and the impacts of MPs originating from BDPs on soil physical and chemical properties, microbial communities, animals, and plants. The information collated in this review can provide scientific guidance for sustainable development of the BDPs industry.
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