Polyester microplastic fibers affect soil physical properties and erosion as a function of soil type

Abstract. Microplastics are recognized as a factor of global change contaminating many environmental compartments. Agricultural soils very likely to receive microplastic contamination and particular concern due their role in food production. Microplastic fibers have already been shown be able affect soil properties, but effect on different types is poorly understood. Moreover, limited information available how the presence this pollutant can water erosion processes, which extremely important issues environments. In light this, we performed two experiments (carried out microscale) investigate polyester affects physical hydrological parameters processes such aggregate formation three agricultural (a Vertisol, an Entisol, Alfisol). Our data show that effects strongly dependent type. We found fiber bulk density, capacitive indicators quality, decrease new aggregates (labile incubation period applied our experiments) did not stability water. However, reduced loss sediment concentration, especially most erodible soils. paper, provide some hypotheses, certainly future still needed confirm or disprove hypotheses. Overall, results highlight importance broadly exploring texture, mineralogy, organic carbon content, etc., better understand various respond contamination.