o:4628 How does plastic pollution affect soil quality in plasticulture? en Abstract: Growing crops in plastic greenhouses and mulching with plastics is one of the largest sources of microplastics in the environment around the world and especially in Serbia. Plastic waste is known for its stability and recalcitrance in the environment, so it is generally assumed that standard plastic waste is not degradable. The determination of microplastics in soil is a major challenge due to the complexity of the soil matrix. The aim of the study was to show the effects of plastic particles on the chemical, physical and biological properties of arable soils. Alluvial soils from three major river basins (Danube, Morava and Sava) in Serbia, which are most affected by seasonal flooding, were selected. Soils from MP-polluted (plasticulture) and non-polluted (open field) sites, located next to each other, were sampled in 2022 from two depths 0-15 and 15-30 cm. Preliminary results showed that the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil were significantly affected by the presence of plastics. Plastic contamination in the soil environment has an impact on organic matter cycling, global carbon dioxide production, plant production, soil properties, water quality, etc. It is time to raise awareness that the pollution of our environment with plastic waste can lead to serious disruptions of the ecosystem and its ability to fulfil its functions, such as the production of sufficient and high-quality quantities of food. plastic waste,alluvial soil,soil quality,plasticulture 1552102 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mcbITzR1wfY1b4vLAaceHAyg_y_K3vzq/view 2024-05-24T09:30:45.650Z 44 no 46 Elmira Saljnikov University of Belgrade, Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, Belgrade, SERBIA 46 Tara Grujic Institute of Soil Science 0000-0002-0122-6402 46 Marina Jovkovic Institute of Soil Science 0000-0001-7224-8556 46 Slobodan Krnjajic University of Belgrade, Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, Belgrade, SERBIA 46 T. Kosaki Aichi University, Nagoya, JAPAN 46 Snezana Belanovic-Simic University of Belgrade, Faculty of Forestry, Belgrade, SERBIA 46 Zorica Marjanovic University of Belgrade, Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, Belgrade, SERBIA application/pdf 1973344 https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:4628 no yes 1 70 92000004 71A05 Centennial Celebration and Congress of the International Union of Soil Sciences 2024