Nanoplastics and Microplastics in Agricultural Systems: Effects on Plants and Implications for Human Consumption

Nanoplastics and microplastics in agricultural systems have raised significant concerns due to their effects on plant health and potential risks to human consumption. This review examined these pollutants’ origins, behavior, and impacts in agricultural environments, emphasizing their primary contami...

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Main Authors: Tarcisio Wolff Leal, Gabriel Tochetto, Sayonara Vanessa de Medeiros Lima, Patricia Viera de Oliveira, Henrico Junior Schossler, Carlos Rafael Silva de Oliveira, Afonso Henrique da Silva Júnior
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Microplastics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8929/4/2/16
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author Tarcisio Wolff Leal
Gabriel Tochetto
Sayonara Vanessa de Medeiros Lima
Patricia Viera de Oliveira
Henrico Junior Schossler
Carlos Rafael Silva de Oliveira
Afonso Henrique da Silva Júnior
author_facet Tarcisio Wolff Leal
Gabriel Tochetto
Sayonara Vanessa de Medeiros Lima
Patricia Viera de Oliveira
Henrico Junior Schossler
Carlos Rafael Silva de Oliveira
Afonso Henrique da Silva Júnior
author_sort Tarcisio Wolff Leal
collection DOAJ
description Nanoplastics and microplastics in agricultural systems have raised significant concerns due to their effects on plant health and potential risks to human consumption. This review examined these pollutants’ origins, behavior, and impacts in agricultural environments, emphasizing their primary contamination pathways, such as irrigation, plastic mulching, and sewage sludge application. It explored the transport, accumulation, and interactions of these particles in the soil, including their ability to adsorb other contaminants like pesticides and heavy metals. The effects on plant physiology and potential toxicity were highlighted, along with the implications for food quality and safety. Chronic exposure to these pollutants through the food chain posed notable health concerns for humans, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this issue. Research gaps, such as the toxicokinetics of nanoplastics and microplastics in plants and humans, were identified, underscoring the need for further investigation. The review also presented mitigation strategies, including improved waste management and the development of sustainable agricultural practices.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2673-8929
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Microplastics
spelling doaj-art-955c0b217bf64d98b4d51d4b679b4c722025-08-20T03:27:21ZengMDPI AGMicroplastics2673-89292025-04-01421610.3390/microplastics4020016Nanoplastics and Microplastics in Agricultural Systems: Effects on Plants and Implications for Human ConsumptionTarcisio Wolff Leal0Gabriel Tochetto1Sayonara Vanessa de Medeiros Lima2Patricia Viera de Oliveira3Henrico Junior Schossler4Carlos Rafael Silva de Oliveira5Afonso Henrique da Silva Júnior6Department of Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81530-000, PR, BrazilDepartment of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, BrazilDepartment of Chemical and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, BrazilDepartment of Chemical and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, BrazilDepartment of Energy and Sustainability, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Araranguá 88905-120, SC, BrazilDepartment of Chemical and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, BrazilDepartment of Chemical and Food Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, BrazilNanoplastics and microplastics in agricultural systems have raised significant concerns due to their effects on plant health and potential risks to human consumption. This review examined these pollutants’ origins, behavior, and impacts in agricultural environments, emphasizing their primary contamination pathways, such as irrigation, plastic mulching, and sewage sludge application. It explored the transport, accumulation, and interactions of these particles in the soil, including their ability to adsorb other contaminants like pesticides and heavy metals. The effects on plant physiology and potential toxicity were highlighted, along with the implications for food quality and safety. Chronic exposure to these pollutants through the food chain posed notable health concerns for humans, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this issue. Research gaps, such as the toxicokinetics of nanoplastics and microplastics in plants and humans, were identified, underscoring the need for further investigation. The review also presented mitigation strategies, including improved waste management and the development of sustainable agricultural practices.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8929/4/2/16environmental impactplastic pollutionsoil ecosystemsfood safety
spellingShingle Tarcisio Wolff Leal
Gabriel Tochetto
Sayonara Vanessa de Medeiros Lima
Patricia Viera de Oliveira
Henrico Junior Schossler
Carlos Rafael Silva de Oliveira
Afonso Henrique da Silva Júnior
Nanoplastics and Microplastics in Agricultural Systems: Effects on Plants and Implications for Human Consumption
Microplastics
environmental impact
plastic pollution
soil ecosystems
food safety
title Nanoplastics and Microplastics in Agricultural Systems: Effects on Plants and Implications for Human Consumption
title_full Nanoplastics and Microplastics in Agricultural Systems: Effects on Plants and Implications for Human Consumption
title_fullStr Nanoplastics and Microplastics in Agricultural Systems: Effects on Plants and Implications for Human Consumption
title_full_unstemmed Nanoplastics and Microplastics in Agricultural Systems: Effects on Plants and Implications for Human Consumption
title_short Nanoplastics and Microplastics in Agricultural Systems: Effects on Plants and Implications for Human Consumption
title_sort nanoplastics and microplastics in agricultural systems effects on plants and implications for human consumption
topic environmental impact
plastic pollution
soil ecosystems
food safety
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8929/4/2/16
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