shahad abdulameer

shahad abdulameer

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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7 November 2022 in Polymers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SAshahad abdulameer
shahad abdulameer
JLJapareng Lalung
Japareng Lalung
Umrana MaheerUmrana Maheer
Umrana Maheer
MKMohamad Anuar Kamaruddin
Mohamad Anuar Kamaruddin
MYMohd Firdaus Yhaya
Mohd Firdaus Yhaya
Mohd RafatullahMohd Rafatullah
Mohd Rafatullah
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.