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Review
. 2022 Nov 7;14(21):4770.
doi: 10.3390/polym14214770.

A Review on the Role of Earthworms in Plastics Degradation: Issues and Challenges

Shahad Khaldoon  1 , Japareng Lalung  1   2   3 , Umrana Maheer  1 , Mohamad Anuar Kamaruddin  1   2 , Mohd Firdaus Yhaya  4 , Eman S Alsolami  5 , Hajer S Alorfi  5 , Mahmoud A Hussein  5   6 , Mohd Rafatullah  1   2
Affiliations
Review

A Review on the Role of Earthworms in Plastics Degradation: Issues and Challenges

Shahad Khaldoon et al. Polymers (Basel). .

Abstract

Recently, the contribution of earthworms to plastic degradation and their capability to swallow smaller plastic fragments, known as microplastics, has been emphasized. The worm physically changes the size of microplastics and enhances microbial activities to increase the possibility of degradation. However, no research has shown that earthworms can chemically degrade microplastics to an element form, CO2 or H2O. In this review, previous research has been thoroughly explored to analyse the role that earthworms could play in plastic degradation in the soil. Earthworms can significantly affect the physical characteristics of plastics. However, earthworms' abilities to chemically degrade or change the chemical structure of plastics and microplastics have not been observed. Additionally, earthworms exhibit selective feeding behaviour, avoiding areas containing a high plastics concentration and rejecting plastics. Consequently, earthworms' abilities to adapt to the microplastics in soil in the environment can cause a problem. Based on this review, the challenges faced in earthworm application for plastic degradation are mostly expected to be associated with the toxicity and complexity of the plastic material and environmental factors, such as the moisture content of the soil and its temperature, microbial population, and feeding method.

Keywords: degradation; digestive mechanisms; earthworms; microplastic; soil ecosystem.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Purpose of this review article.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Environmental factors that influence biodegradation.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Environmental degradation affects plastic properties.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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