Topic: Soil Microplastics: Occurrence, Migration, and Ecotoxicological Effects

Soil microplastics, as pervasive and persistent emerging contaminants, have garnered increasing attention from both the scientific community and the public due to their potential threats to terrestrial ecosystems and human health. Microplastics enter agricultural and natural soils through various pathways, including the application of sewage sludge, the use of plastic mulching films, and atmospheric deposition. Once introduced into soil systems, these particles undergo complex processes such as aging, migration, and interactions with other contaminants, including heavy metals and organic pollutants, which can alter soil physicochemical properties and microbial community structures. The ecotoxicological effects of soil microplastics are of particular concern. Microplastics can be ingested by soil fauna, inhibit plant growth, and ultimately pose risks to human health through bioaccumulation along the food chain. Despite the growing awareness of these issues, research on the occurrence patterns, migration mechanisms, and long-term ecotoxicological impacts of microplastics in soil systems remains limited. This Special Issue, titled "Soil Microplastics: Occurrence, Migration, and Ecotoxicological Effects," seeks to compile cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews that advance our understanding of the environmental behavior, ecological consequences, and sustainable management strategies of microplastics in terrestrial environments.

Soil microplastics, occurrence characteristics, migration mechanisms, ecotoxicology, environmental behavior