Effect of microplastics on terrestrial ecosystems

Microplastics on the earth surface only have a direct negative effect on earthworms in large concentrations, like in gardens or roadsides. The particles spread through the ground, because these worms eat the plastics and later excrete them. This way the microplastics move from the surface to deeper earth layers with the risk of washing into the groundwater.
These are some of the conclusions of a study done by researchers of Wageningen University (WUR) that was published in the Journal of Environmental Science & Technology. The worms that were exposed to large amounts of microplastics had a reduced growth rate and dug less deep into the ground (News Item WUR, 12 February 2016).
Click here for the news item (in Dutch).
Click here for an abstract of the published article.

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