A team of German researchers from the University of Potsdam and the Helmholtz Center for Materials and Energy in Berlin has introduced a technology for precisely locating microplastics within soil. The findings were reported in Total Environmental Science (STTE).
Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than five millimeters. They enter ecosystems through clothing fibers, plastic packaging, tire wear, and other everyday sources. Recent studies link these particles to adverse effects on ecosystems and potential risks to human health.
Microplastic contamination remains a major environmental challenge. A large portion of emissions arises from road traffic, with tire wear in Germany contributing about 100,000 tonnes of microplastics annually. Additional inputs come from artificial turf, cosmetics, laundry detergents, textiles, disposable masks, plastic bags, and a range of other waste products that disperse into the environment.
The researchers developed a soil analyzer that employs neutrons and X-rays to visualize both organic and synthetic elements in soil. The device also generates three-dimensional tomograms that reveal how contaminants are distributed within soil structure and where they accumulate.
In validation experiments, the team prepared samples consisting of sand, organic matter, and artificial particles. The resulting images clearly identified microplastics and several organic compounds, enabling assessment of particle size, shape, and the alterations to soil architecture induced by the introduced materials. This capability supports a more precise understanding of how microplastics infiltrate soil and interact with its components.
One study author explained that although the method is technically complex, it enables researchers to pinpoint, for the first time, where microplastic particles gather and how they modify soil and its structure, a breakthrough for environmental monitoring in both Europe and North America.
Previous work indicated that microplastics can become airborne and influence atmospheric processes, with potential implications for weather patterns in certain conditions.