The effects of microplastics (MPs) on soil microbial communities and antimicrobial resistance genes are not well understood.

The gap

Consensus across the literature

Supporting evidence — 3 representative gaps

• Interactions among Heavy Metals, Microplastics and Pesticides in Soil and Advances in Microbial Remediation (2026) · doi

  microbial influencing This review highlights the complex interactions among heavy metals, microplastics, and pesticides in soil environments. Microplastics play dual roles as both carriers and regulators of pollutant behavior, the migration, transformation, and bioavailability of coexisting remediation contaminants. Meanwhile, technologies offer promising solutions for mitigating composite pollution due to their versatility and sustainability. However, current research mainly focuses on single or binary pollutant systems, and studies on multi-pollutant interactions remain limited. Future research should prioritize: (i) elucidating the mechanisms of multi-pollutant interactions at molecular and microbial community levels; (ii) developing robust microbial consortia capable of functioning under complex environmental stress; and (iii) integrating microbial technologies with other remediation strategies for field-scale applications. Overall, advancing our understanding of composite pollution and developing efficient remediation strategies are 3 essential for ensuring soil health and sustainable agricultural development.

  Keywords: microbial pollutant interactions remediation complex microplastics soil technologies composite pollution multi developing strategies influencing review
• RETRACTED: Adverse impacts of microplastics on soil physicochemical properties and crop health in agricultural systems (2024) · doi

  This review not only synthesizes current knowledge but also identifies significant knowledge gaps in understanding how microplastics interact with soil properties, microbial communities, and agricultural crops.

  Keywords: knowledge review synthesizes current identifies significant gaps understanding microplastics interact soil properties microbial communities agricultural
• Microplastic diversity increases the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in soil (2024) · doi

  The effects of microplastics (MPs) on soil microbial communities and antimicrobial resistance genes are not well understood.

  Keywords: effects microplastics soil microbial communities antimicrobial resistance genes well understood