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A new scientific study has shown that microplastics in soil can be harmful to worms.
The study by Anglia Ruskin University showed that tiny pieces of plastic cause the worms to lose weight.
Scientists believe that the microplastics mainly affect a type of worm called the rosy-tipped earthworm.
Earthworms are an important part of farming as they help boost the nutrients found in the soil - so this is latest form of plastic pollution particularly bad news for farmers.
Scientists found that worms put in soil with a plastic used for bags and bottles called high density polyurethane (HDPE) lost about 3% of their body weight over a month.
Worms placed in similar soil without HDPE put on 5% in body weight over the same period.
What are microplastics? Microplastics are small pieces of plastic that are less than 5mm in length. Microplastics happen when bigger bits of plastic - such as bottles, bags and containers break down in soil or in the sea and pollute the environment. Glitter is also a microplastic. Some plastics are so tiny they can't even be seen with the naked eye. They are called nanoplastics.
Right now scientists aren't sure what it is about microplastic in the soil that causes worms to lose weight.
What is being done about plastic pollution?
To enjoy the CBBC Newsround website at its best you will need to have JavaScript turned on. Newsround finds out why plastic is a problem (Pictures from Greenpeace, Caroline Power and Blue Planet II/BBC iPlayer)
Plastic pollution means that plastic can been found in our oceans, in the air and on land. However there are people who are trying to fight against it.
Across the country, some restaurants and cafes have swapped plastic straws for paper straws. In some countries, single use plastics have been banned completely.
To enjoy the CBBC Newsround website at its best you will need to have JavaScript turned on. Children inspired by Attenborough deliver plastic protest letters to Downing Street
In 2018, the UK banned the use of microbeads (tiny bits of plastic) in creams and face scrubs.
Tyrannosaurus__Wreck on October 13rd, 2019 at 13:18 UTC »
I'd imagine this is also particularly bad news for anyone who likes to eat
vicissitoods on October 13rd, 2019 at 12:05 UTC »
If it’s particularly bad news for farmers, then it’s particularly bad news for us all
mvea on October 13rd, 2019 at 09:38 UTC »
The post title is a copy and paste from the subtitle and first three paragraphs of the linked popular press article here:
Journal Reference:
Effects of Microplastics in Soil Ecosystems: Above and Below Ground
Bas Boots, Connor William Russell, Dannielle Senga Green
Environmental Science & Technology. 2019
Publication Date:September 11, 2019
Link: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.9b03304
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b03304
Abstract
Environmental contamination by microplastics is now considered an emerging threat to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Soil ecosystems, particularly agricultural land, have been recognized as a major sink of microplastics, but the impacts of microplastics on soil ecosystems (e.g., above and below ground) remain largely unknown. In this study, different types of microplastics [biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA)], conventional high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and microplastic clothing fibers were added to soil containing the endogeic Aporrectodea rosea (rosy-tipped earthworm) and planted with Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass) to assess the biophysical soil response in a mesocosm experiment. When exposed to fibers or PLA microplastics, fewer seeds germinated. There was also a reduction in shoot height with PLA. The biomass of A. rosea exposed to HDPE was significantly reduced compared to control samples. Furthermore, with HDPE present there was a decrease in soil pH. The size distribution of water-stable soil aggregates was altered when microplastics were present, suggesting potential alterations of soil stability. This study provides evidence that microplastics manufactured of HDPE and PLA, and synthetic fibers can affect the development of L. perenne, health of A. rosea and basic, but crucial soil properties, with potential further impacts on soil ecosystem functioning.