Microplastics contaminate Pennsylvania waterways and agricultural soils

Researchers at Penn State present a new view of how microplastics traverse and influence watersheds, including rivers and streams across Pennsylvania and globally. The work highlights the ubiquity of microplastics in nature and the remaining uncertainties about their environmental impact and the factors that drive their buildup.

Separately, a Griffith University-led study examined microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in agricultural settings, finding they reduce plant growth and can enter plant tissues through soil. The research used conditions designed to reflect real agricultural systems and varied particle types, sizes, and concentrations; it raises concerns about food safety and potential human exposure. The study is published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research.