Microbial Biotechnology to Reduce Microplastic Pollution in Soil
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Soil Conservation and Sustainability".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 154
Special Issue Editors
Interests: microbiology; microalgal biotechnology; molecular biology and genetics of cyanobacteria
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: algal biotechnology; environmental biotechnology; soil management; sustainablity
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Soil represents a fundamental resource for ensuring agricultural productivity and environmental stability. Unfortunately, the health of soil has been declining at an unprecedented rate in recent times, and it is a shared responsibility to address this issue. Among the many factors contributing to soil degradation, microplastic contamination has emerged as a significant and pervasive threat. The infiltration of microplastics into soil ecosystems disrupts microbial activity, hinders plant growth, and poses risks to the entire food web through bioaccumulation.
Several microorganisms, including archaea, bacteria, cyanobacteria, fungi, and microalgae, have demonstrated their potential in mitigating the adverse effects of microplastic contamination. These microorganisms can interact with microplastics, enhancing their degradation, and thereby reducing their detrimental impact on soil health. Additionally, microbial biomass (processed and/or selected fractions) can help in the reclamation of soil as a natural fertiliser, improving soil structure and fertility.
To further address this issue, there is a growing emphasis on replacing conventional microplastics with sustainably produced biodegradable products. These alternatives, derived from natural materials, are designed to break down more efficiently in the environment, reducing long-term pollution and supporting soil health. The development and adoption of biodegradable plastics represent a crucial step towards a more sustainable future, as they can significantly decrease the volume of persistent plastics in soil and other ecosystems.
This Special Issue encourages interdisciplinary dialogue and inspires transformative solutions to the pressing challenges posed by microplastic contamination in soil health and agricultural sustainability; therefore, we invite authors to contribute their insights and findings on recent developments in microbial biotechnology for addressing microplastic contamination in soil. We welcome a diverse range of contributions, including original research articles and comprehensive review papers that analyse current research trends and emerging paradigms in this field. Additionally, we encourage reviews on innovative, simple, and cost-effective soil improvement technologies, emphasising practical applications that can be readily implemented by farmers and land managers.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Sushanta Kumar Saha
Dr. Hande Ermis
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- soil microbiome
- microplastic contamination
- soil health crisis
- sustainable agriculture
- agricultural productivity and soil ecosystem
- sustainable soil microbial biotechnology
- soil restoration
- microbial degradation of microplastics
- biofertilizer and biopesticides
- soil management practices
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