As land plastic pollution has piled up in recent decades, small products of its degradation, microplastics (MPs), have emerged as a rapidly growing problem in soil environments. The first step in MP evaluation from soils is the extraction of MP particles, and it appears to be a particularly difficult substrate to work with. Aggregate formation and the presence of other organic particles of similar sizes appeared as challenges in constructing an efficient and trustworthy protocol for MP extraction from soils. Density separation-based methods are usually applied and finding efficient cost- and environment-friendly solutions is of high importance, while data comparability is a key factor in increasing general knowledge on the topic. Here, we propose an environmentally friendly protocol based on density separation using sucrose solution. Its efficiency for MP extraction from soil was tested and validated. Protocol validation showed that its use in the extraction of PE was efficient for all examined MP sizes (>32 μm) and PVC >500 μm with high recovery rates, while the extraction of PVC >125 μm is justified since sucrose solution is practically cost-free and completely environmentally safe. Result validation indicates that the proposed protocol has high potential for MP extraction from difficult soil samples.

Acidic pseudogley soils represent a significant limitation for agricultural production in Serbia due to unfavorable chemical conditions, primarily low pH and increased hydrolytic acidity, which reduce nutrient availability and crop productivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of saturation sludge, a by-product of sugar beet processing, on selected chemical properties of pseudogley soil and the yield of spring barley, soybean, and pepper. The experiment was conducted as a controlled pot experiment with four treatments: control (without sludge) and sludge application rates equivalent to 5, 15, and 25 t ha⁻¹. After one vegetation period, soil pH, hydrolytic acidity, and the availability of potassium and phosphorus were determined, together with yield parameters of the tested crops. Application of saturation sludge significantly increased soil pH and reduced hydrolytic acidity, particularly at rates of 15 and 25 t ha⁻¹. These changes were accompanied by improved availability of potassium and phosphorus and increased yield, with the most pronounced response observed in spring barley. The results indicate that saturation sludge can be recommended as an effective ameliorative material for acidic pseudogley soils; however, soil chemical analysis prior to application and further field-scale research are necessary to confirm long-term effects.