Meera Rai

Ms. Meera Rai

PhD Microbiology, Graphic Era University, Dehra Dūn, India
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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27 May 2023 in Resources
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Meera RaiMeera Rai
Meera Rai
GPGaurav Pant
Gaurav Pant
KPKumud Pant
Kumud Pant
BABecky Aloo
Becky Aloo
Gaurav KumarGaurav Kumar
Gaurav Kumar
Vishal TripathiVishal Tripathi
Vishal Tripathi
The production and disposal of plastics have become significant concerns for the sustainability of the planet. During the past 75 years, around 80% of plastic waste has either ended up in landfills or been released into the environment. Plastic debris released into the environment breaks down into smaller particles through fragmentation, weathering, and other disintegration processes, generating microplastics (plastic particles ≤ 5 mm in size). Although marine and aquatic ecosystems have been the primary focus of microplastic pollution research, a growing body of evidence suggests that terrestrial ecosystems are equally at risk. Microplastic contamination has been reported in various terrestrial environments from several sources such as plastics mulch, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, tire abrasions (tire wear particles), textiles industries (microfibers), sewage sludge, and plastic dumping. Recent studies suggest that the soil has become a significant sink for pollutants released into terrestrial ecosystems and is often contaminated with a mixture of organic and inorganic pollutants. This has gradually caused adverse impacts on soil health and fertility by affecting soil pH, porosity, water-holding capacity, and soil microbial enzymatic activities. Microplastics can interact with the co-existing pollutants of the environments by adsorbing the contaminants onto their surfaces through various intermolecular forces, including electrostatic, hydrophobic, non-covalent, partition effects, van der Waals forces, and microporous filling mechanisms. This subsequently delays the degradation process of existing contaminants, thereby affecting the soil and various ecological activities of the ecosystem. Thus, the present article aims to elucidate the deleterious impact of microplastics and their interactions with other pollutants in the terrestrial ecosystem. This review also addresses the impact of microplastics in disrupting the soil sustainability of the planet.

25 September 2026 in Water, Air, & Soil Pollution
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
BNBhavya Negi
Bhavya Negi
YNYogesh Nath
Yogesh Nath
Meera RaiMeera Rai
Meera Rai
PBPooja Bhatnagar
Pooja Bhatnagar
Sheikh Adil EdrisiSheikh Adil Edrisi
Sheikh Adil Edrisi
Vishal TripathiVishal Tripathi
Vishal Tripathi