Assessing microplastic contamination in Icelandic soils: Insights from remote, agricultural, and urban environments
Nanna Dyg Rathje Klemmensen, María S. Blanco, Jes Vollertsen
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) contamination is a growing concern across many environments. However, research on MP accumulation in remote soils remains limited. This study investigated MP abundance in remote soil in western Iceland, with agricultural and urban soils as references. The MP was extracted and measured using state-of-the-art methods, capturing types, sizes, and shapes. Results showed that MP was present in all samples, with the lowest average count and mass observed in the remote samples (857 (±561) counts kg −1 , corresponding to 64.37 (±47.96) μg kg −1 ) and the highest in the urban samples (26,206 (±25,345) counts kg −1 , corresponding to 2175 (±1385) μg kg −1 ), showing that increase in anthropogenic activity gives increasing MP concentrations. In the remote samples, the particles were primarily medium-sized (median = 67 μm), lightweight polyester fragments. This study also investigated the influence of soil parameters such as water content, bulk density, and particle size on MP retention in remote soils. However, no other significant correlations were found when relating the count and mass to soil parameters. • Soil with different land uses was investigated for MPs using μ-FTIR imaging. • MP was present in both remote, agricultural, and urban soils. • Increase in both MP count and mass with increasing anthropogenic activity. • Predominantly medium-sized lightweight fragment presence in remote soils.