Microbial remediation of microplastic-contaminated soil, focusing on mechanisms, benefits, and research gaps

The soil ecosystem is increasingly threatened by microplastic (MP) contamination (<5 mm), recognized among the top ten global environmental hazards by UNEP (2016). Despite mounting concern, the environmental fate of MPs and effective remediation strategies remain poorly understood. Addressing this review systematically examines micro-biodegradation as a sustainable and promising approach for MP remediation in the soil ecosystem. It synthesizes the current knowledge on the sources, distribution, and physicochemical interactions of MPs with soil and its microbial communities. This foundation supports a mechanistic analysis of microbe-mediated MP degradation, with emphasis on the role of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) in facilitating MP turnover in soil. Furthermore, the review assesses the benefits, practical challenges, and future applicability of microbial strategies for MP mitigation. By integrating emerging evidence and identifying key research gaps, this work aims to provision the development of scalable, biologically driven interventions to address MP pollution in the dynamic soil ecosystem.