Microplastics are turning up in UK soil animals from earthworms to beetles and climbing the food chain to hedgehogs and birds, raising concerns about impacts on ecosystems and agriculture.
Emily Thrift writes for The Conversation.
In short:
- Nearly one in five wild hedgehogs in a UK study had microplastics in their feces, likely from eating contaminated invertebrates.
- Analysis of over 500 invertebrates revealed plastic in 12% of samples, especially in earthworms (29%) and snails and slugs (24%).
- Common plastics included polyester and those used in agriculture, suggesting contamination from clothing, packaging, and farm materials.
Why this matters:
Plastic pollution is often viewed as a marine issue, but it’s just as pervasive on land. Tiny plastic particles from clothing, packaging, and agricultural tools don’t vanish; they break down and spread through soil, where they’re consumed by worms and bugs that are foundational to ecosystems. Studies show that microplastics in soil can enter plant cells, stunting crops and affecting food security. Meanwhile, birds that feed on polluted insects can suffer reproductive and developmental harm. Plastic pollution is reshaping terrestrial ecosystems in quiet, insidious ways — and industrial systems continue to feed the problem.
