Presence and characterization of microplastics in agricultural soils in the northern area of Lima-Peru

Abstract

Microplastic (MP) pollution has become a growing environmental problem due to its presence in aquatic, aerial, and terrestrial media. These microplastics can compromise soil quality, interfere with plant development, and potentially enter the food chain. This study evaluated the concentration of microplastics in agricultural soils in the Caballero area, Carabayllo, Lima-Peru, using the density separation technique. Sampling was conducted at different depths (0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, and 20-30 cm) at 11 points on a 1.43-hectare plot. The results revealed a total concentration of 3069.39 items/kg, with the highest accumulation found in the surface layer (0-10 cm) at 3778.45 items/kg. Plastic fragments were the most predominant type, with 84,791 items, and the most frequent color was blue, with 54,806 items. The identified particles ranged in size from 1 to 200 µm. These findings highlight the impact of microplastics on soil quality and agricultural productivity, as well as their potential entry into the food chain and implications for human health. The study emphasizes the need to further investigate these contaminants to assess their effects on ecosystems and health, and to develop more effective mitigation and management strategies.