About this Research Topic

Background

Plastic pollution in the terrestrial environment is a significant human-made threat to ecosystem function and health. Plastic contamination can range from the macro to the nanoscale, and environmental impacts are evident at each level. Globally, plastic production increased from 230 to 359 million tons from 2005 to 2018, with limited recycling options. Although significant knowledge gaps remain regarding the interactions between the natural environment and nano-microplastics (NMPs), there is an increasing body of evidence concerning detrimental effects on a wide range of taxa. The surface properties of NMPs lead to the adsorption of heavy metals, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, antibiotics, and other persistent organic pollutants, which, therefore, can result in their co-migration into the terrestrial environment. Although much research has been conducted on the fate and transport of NMPs in aquatic environments, their effect on plant systems is still not fully understood, which concerns the scientific community. Efforts are required to unveil the emerging hazards of NMPs to the food chain via soil-plant systems.

Plastic materials from different sources have been reported in agricultural soil. But, the risk raised by NMPs in soil medium and agricultural plants and their consequences on the environment needs comprehensive investigation and clarification. Thus, planning and executing safe environment and food chain strategies are crucial for sustainable modern agriculture. This Research Topic is intended to highlight the key features of all types of interactions (biochemical, cellular, and molecular) among plant-micro/nano-microplastic and relevant toxicity. We recommend the inclusion of plastic NMPs from different sources and a better understanding of in-depth mechanisms for plant responses to these pollutants.

The previously published literature does not provide clear indications on the occurrence, fate, and transport of plastic material in the agricultural system. Thus, more studies are required for sustainable environment and agricultural growth. We invite researchers from all over the globe to submit their original research, systematic reviews, and reviews in this Research Topic on the following topics but not limited to:
• Application of plastic material from different sources impacts the growth and productivity of agricultural plants.
• Innovative approaches for testing of nano and microplastics in plants and environmental compartments.
• All levels of agricultural plants and nano and microplastic interactions, along with in-depth mechanisms under different biotic and abiotic stresses are in the scope of this issue.
• Consequences of plastic material on the genetic makeup of plants.
• The toxicological mechanisms of NMPs interacted with other metals and their possible consequences on the environment and human health.
• Characterization and analysis of NMPs, and socioeconomic, and socio-ecological related aspects of plastic pollution.

Keywords: Microplastics, Phytotoxicity, Accumulation in soil, Sustainable approaches, Mechanistic understandings, Food chain, Human health

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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