The Hidden Threat of Microplastics in Desert Environments: Environmental Impact, Challenges, and Response Measures

Huiqi Li, Huanpeng Liu, Qizhuan Lin, Ting Chen and Renyi Peng ()
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Huiqi Li: Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedicine Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
Huanpeng Liu: Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedicine Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
Qizhuan Lin: Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedicine Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
Ting Chen: Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedicine Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
Renyi Peng: Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedicine Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 5, 1-30

Abstract: Microplastic (MP) pollution has garnered widespread attention because of its negative effects, even in the most remote areas of Earth. However, research on MP deposition in deserts, which account for 45% of Earth’s total land area, remains limited. Desert environments, characterized by large temperature fluctuations, high ultraviolet radiation, and strong winds, accelerate the degradation, aging, wind erosion, deposition, and migration of microplastics (MPs). In desert regions, MPs originate primarily from human activities, such as tourism waste, agricultural mulch residues, and artificial water storage systems. Additionally, wind transport, water entrainment, atmospheric deposition, and the migration of wildlife further influence the abundance of MPs in these areas. As MP pollution in desert soils intensifies, it negatively affects local microbial activity, crop yields, the reproduction of rare wildlife, and climate. In response, mitigation strategies, such as biodegradation, organic alternatives, and wasteland transformation, have been proposed. However, challenges remain, including a lack of specific research data and limited economic incentives for environmental protection measures. Drawing on existing research, this paper provides a comprehensive summary of the main sources of MPs in desert areas; the influence of environmental factors on their fate; their detrimental effects on ecosystems (including microorganisms, animals, plants, and climate); and current response measures. Valuable insights are extracted from the available data, highlighting the status and challenges of MP pollution in desert regions, and offering a useful reference for future research in this area.

Keywords: microplastic pollution; desert; natural factor; human activity; biodegradation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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