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Updated: Feb 4, 2026
14:10
Separation and Identification of Conventional Microplastics from Farmland Soils
Published on: March 21, 2025
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Legacy landfill-derived microplastics in India: terrestrial matrix pathways, spatio-temporal dynamics, and
Keshar Verma1,2, Sushma Pardeshi1, Rita Dhodapkar1
1CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nagpur - 440020, India. debishree.khan@csir.res.in.
Environmental Science. Processes & Impacts
|February 3, 2026
Summary
Microplastics (MPs) from legacy waste and landfills contaminate India's terrestrial ecosystems, impacting soil, water, and air. Addressing this requires integrated monitoring, standardized protocols, and circular economy approaches for environmental and public health protection.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Ecotoxicology
- Waste Management
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) pose persistent threats to terrestrial ecosystems, food webs, and human health.
- Legacy waste and landfills are significant sources of MPs in India's environment.
- Understanding MP contamination is crucial for ecological and public health protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review current knowledge on MPs from legacy waste and landfills in India.
- To present spatio-temporal dynamics and occurrence of MPs across various environmental matrices.
- To identify knowledge gaps and inform mitigation strategies.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of studies on MPs in India.
- Analysis of MP occurrence in landfill leachate, soils, sediments, compost, and air.
- Synthesis of data on MP polymer types, morphologies, and distribution dynamics.
Main Results:
- MPs are widespread in Indian terrestrial ecosystems, with polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) being dominant polymer types.
- Fibers and fragments are the most common MP morphologies.
- MP migration is influenced by hydrology, atmospheric deposition, and agricultural practices, leading to complex distributions.
Conclusions:
- Existing policies need enhanced integration of MP monitoring and mitigation.
- There is a need for long-term field data, standardized protocols, and circular economy integration.
- Transdisciplinary research, technological interventions, and targeted policies are essential to address MP pollution in India.
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