Search

Search

Home
...
Research Domains Environmental Sciences Soil Sciences Pedology and pedometrics
Microplastic polymer type impacts water infiltration and its own transport in soil

Microplastic polymer type impacts water infiltration and its own transport in soil

Qihang Li ^1,2,3, Anna Bogush ⁴, Marco Van De Wiel ^4,5, Pan Wu ^1,3, Ran Holtzman ²

Qihang Li ^1,2,3, Anna Bogush ⁴, Marco Van De Wiel ^4,5

¹College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.
²Fluid and Complex Systems Research Centre, Coventry University, Coventry, UK.
³Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment (Guizhou University), Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, China.
⁴Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University, Coventry, UK.
⁵College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, UNISA, Florida 1709, South Africa.

⁰College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.

Iscience +

|

August 18, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

These videos have been matched automatically. Contact us if they are not relevant.

Separation and Identification of Conventional Microplastics from Farmland Soils

Separation and Identification of Conventional Microplastics from Farmland Soils

Published on: March 21, 2025

Forming Micro-and Nano-Plastics from Agricultural Plastic Films for Employment in Fundamental Research Studies

Forming Micro-and Nano-Plastics from Agricultural Plastic Films for Employment in Fundamental Research Studies

Published on: July 27, 2022

Quantification of Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate-based Micro- and Nano-plastics from Soil Using Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Quantification of Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate-based Micro- and Nano-plastics from Soil Using Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Published on: June 6, 2025

See all related videos

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Microplastics (MPs) impede soil water flow, with polypropylene (PP) having a stronger effect than polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This research clarifies microplastic transport mechanisms in soils.

Area Of Science

Environmental Science
Soil Science
Materials Science

Background

Microplastics (MPs) present significant risks to ecosystems and human health.
Understanding microplastic transport in soils is crucial for environmental management.
Soil transport is influenced by microplastic properties and environmental conditions.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate the transport behavior of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP) microplastics in an idealized soil analog.
To analyze the impact of microplastics on water flow pathways and infiltration in soils.
To elucidate the mechanisms governing microplastic mobility in soil environments.

Main Methods

Laboratory experiments using an idealized soil analog (glass beads).
Time-lapse imaging to visualize water flow dynamics.
Spectroscopy to quantify microplastic transport and distribution.

Main Results

Microplastics were found to impede water infiltration, particularly in preferential flow paths.
Polypropylene (PP) exhibited a stronger impedance effect on water flow compared to polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
PET demonstrated higher mobility than PP in the soil analog, attributed to differences in hydrophobicity, surface charge, and density.

Conclusions

Microplastic properties significantly influence their movement and interaction with soil water.
Hydrophobicity, surface charge, and density are key factors determining microplastic transport in soils.
This study enhances the understanding of microplastic fate and transport mechanisms within soil ecosystems.

Keywords:

Environmental science Pollution Soil hydrology Soil science

Related Experiment Videos

These videos have been matched automatically. Contact us if they are not relevant.

Separation and Identification of Conventional Microplastics from Farmland Soils

Separation and Identification of Conventional Microplastics from Farmland Soils

Published on: March 21, 2025

Forming Micro-and Nano-Plastics from Agricultural Plastic Films for Employment in Fundamental Research Studies

Forming Micro-and Nano-Plastics from Agricultural Plastic Films for Employment in Fundamental Research Studies

Published on: July 27, 2022

Quantification of Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate-based Micro- and Nano-plastics from Soil Using Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Quantification of Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate-based Micro- and Nano-plastics from Soil Using Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Published on: June 6, 2025

See all related videos

Related Concept Videos

Responses to Drought and Flooding

Responses to Drought and Flooding

Water plays a significant role in the life cycle of plants. However, insufficient or excess of water can be detrimental and pose a serious threat to plants.

Under normal conditions, water taken up by the plant evaporates from leaves and other parts in a process called transpiration. In times of drought stress, water that evaporates by transpiration far exceeds the water absorbed from the soil, causing plants to wilt. The general plant response to drought stress is the synthesis of hormone...

Share

X
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube

ABOUT JoVE

Overview
Leadership
Blog
JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process
Editorial Board
Scope & Policies
Peer Review
FAQ
Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials
Subscriptions
Access
Resources
Library Advisory Board
FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal
Methods Collections
JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments
Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core
JoVE Business
JoVE Science Education
JoVE Lab Manual
Faculty Resource Center
Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies