Interaction of Microplastics, Plants, and Rhizosphere: A Critical Review

Over the past decade, microplastic pollution has emerged as a subject of considerable interest and extensive research, with implications for human health and ecosystems. This paper briefly summarized the sources of microplastics and their distribution in the soil. It comprehensively addressed the effects of microplastics on the soil-plant system, including the impacts on soil physicochemical properties and plant rhizosphere microbial communities. The effects of microplastics on plant growth, along with their transformation and accumulation within plants, were evaluated. Microplastics can adhere to soil particles and root surfaces and, under certain conditions, may associate with outer root tissues or enter plants through damaged or vulnerable sites. Their presence in the soil-plant system may interfere with water and nutrient uptake, affect photosynthesis, and induce cytotoxic or genotoxic responses. Furthermore, the co-occurrence of microplastics with toxic substances or soil remediation materials may exacerbate the adverse effects on plants and ecosystems. Future research should focus on the development of methods for detecting microplastics in soils and plants and investigate the interactions between microplastics and other environmental factors within the soil-plant system. Further investigation is required regarding the role of microplastics in hyperaccumulating plants, particularly concerning plant-based methods for removing heavy metal pollutants. This study establishes a scientific basis for understanding the effects of microplastics on soil-plant systems.