As plastic films used in agriculture break down, they leave behind microplastics that can build up in the soil. This study looked at how these tiny plastic particles—both from traditional polyethylene (PE) and biodegradable plastic (PBAT)—affect soil conditions and the reproduction of a small soil-dwelling worm called Enchytraeus crypticus over multiple generations.
Researchers added microplastics at various concentrations (from very low to quite high) into soil and observed the worms’ reproduction and six key soil health indicators. They found that biodegradable plastics (PBAT) reduced worm reproduction in the first generation by up to 36%, but didn’t affect the next generation. In contrast, microplastics from conventional PE caused a stronger and longer-lasting impact, reducing reproduction by over 55% at the highest concentration.
Both types of plastics changed soil properties, such as increasing the soil’s ability to hold water and altering pH levels—PBAT made soil more acidic, while PE made it more alkaline. Some other soil features stayed the same.
These findings suggest that microplastics from agricultural films, even those labeled biodegradable, can disrupt soil ecosystems and harm tiny organisms that are crucial for healthy, productive farmland.
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