Microplastics in an agricultural soil following repeated application of three types of sewage sludge: A field study

Microplastics were investigated in an agricultural soil to which three types of sludge repeatedly applied: fresh municipal (FSS1), mixed (mainly industrial sludge) (FSS2), and dry heat-treated (DSS). The percentages microplastics <1.0 mm 24.3 28.7–59.1 % unamended amended soils, respectively. Particles this size accounted for 47.1–60.0 different sludges polymers particle <100 μm occurred all samples examined. Fibers the commonest microplastic type, ranging from 66.7 82.5 89.4–97.2 sludges. Polyester (PES) polypropylene (PP) ~80 total found poly-(styrene:acrylate) (PS-AC) microspheres sludge-amended There was also a pronounced weathering effect on surfaces soil. Nine years repeated application led accumulation abundance significantly higher (149.2 ± 52.5 particles kg−1) than (68.6 21.5 or dried (73.1 15.4 related This field study confirms that are drivers pollution measures required minimize inputs land.