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Quantification and characterization of microplastics (MPs) pollution in peri-uburban agricultural lands of Lahore, Pakistan

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  • Muhammad Luqman
  • Tehreem Shahid
  • Muhammad Umer Farooq Awan
  • Saif Ur Rehman Kashif
  • Fariha Arooj
  • Ali Raza Awan

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) contaminate every conceivable terrestrial and aquatic environment including high peaks and deep marine trenches. Agricultural lands alone are expected to receive plastic up to 23 times more than ocean basins. In this study, soil samples were collected from peri-urban agricultural lands of Lahore on four sides including Kala Shah Kaku (KSK), Punjab University (PU), Dera Gujran (DG), and Sagian (SG). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) protocol was used for MPs extraction and analysis. Extracted MPs were analyzed under microscope at 40X magnification and their composition was analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A considerable concentration of MPs was recorded at all sites. The highest contamination was found at SG with 876 ±194 MPs/kg of soil, and the lowest contamination was recorded at PU with 672 ±235 MPs/kg of soil. However, these differences among the sites were not statistically significant (p = 0.29). The overall predominant shape of MPs was fibers (613±71, 79.73%) followed by sheets (125±55, 16.28%), fragments (30±5, 3.9%) and foam particles (1±2, .09%). The differences in the distribution of MPs in various types were statistically significant (p = 0), while differences between sites were insignificant (p = 0.13). About 95% of MPs were less than 2 mm and 85% were less than 1 mm size. The distribution of MPs in various sizes (p = 0) and differences of this distribution between sites (p = 0.037) were both statistically significant. A good diversity of nine colored MPs was recorded, however majority of the MPs were transparent (89.57%). Six polymer including Polyethylene (PE), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Polycarbonate (PC), and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) were identified by FTIR. The current levels of MPs pollution are higher than in many other parts of the world. Composition of MPs (types, colors, sizes, and polymer types) indicates the diversity of their sources and their possible implications on agricultural ecosystem.

Suggested Citation

  • Muhammad Luqman & Tehreem Shahid & Muhammad Umer Farooq Awan & Saif Ur Rehman Kashif & Fariha Arooj & Ali Raza Awan, 2023. "Quantification and characterization of microplastics (MPs) pollution in peri-uburban agricultural lands of Lahore, Pakistan," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(10), pages 1-22, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0291760
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291760
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hoda Fakour & Shang-Lien Lo & Nathan Thadeo Yoashi & Angelbetter Marselian Massao & Nelson Naboth Lema & Fezile Bethusile Mkhontfo & Patrick Chris Jomalema & Nasra Shabani Jumanne & Bright Hubert Mbuy, 2021. "Quantification and Analysis of Microplastics in Farmland Soils: Characterization, Sources, and Pathways," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-16, April.
    2. Meera Rai & Gaurav Pant & Kumud Pant & Becky N. Aloo & Gaurav Kumar & Harikesh Bahadur Singh & Vishal Tripathi, 2023. "Microplastic Pollution in Terrestrial Ecosystems and Its Interaction with Other Soil Pollutants: A Potential Threat to Soil Ecosystem Sustainability," Resources, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-14, May.
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