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Soil microplastic pollution and its effect on earthworm distribution
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Microplastic and earthworm research
Microplastic and earthworm research
Image source: Hackenberger © 2025 All rights reserved

Field sampling of soil at selected areas to better understand pressures and threats of microplastic pollution and its effects on earthworms and their habitats.

Key characteristics

Work step
Data collection
Data analysis
Tool purpose
Numeric and Alphanumeric Data
Photo/Video Data
Chemical Compound Data
Spatial Data
Properties
Classic
Professional
Keywords
Species recording
Identification
HUMANITA
Microplastic

Tool description

This methodology investigates microplastics pollution in terrestrial ecosystems and its impact on soil-dwelling organisms. It explores how particles quantity and size compare in different land use types, like agricultural land or green urban areas. Additionally, the earthworm population presence is investigated at the sampling sites to compare the relation of microplastics pollution to earthworm population.

Constraints

  • Soil samples represent only specific sampling points and may not reflect conditions across wider areas.
  • Microplastic distribution is highly variable, so results may miss fine-scale spatial differences.
  • Earthworm presence varies with weather, soil moisture, and time of day, which can affect detection rates.
  • In-field species identification may reduce taxonomic accuracy compared to laboratory-based (e.g. genetic) methods.

Requirements

  • Soil corers/ soil augers
  • Field notebook
  • GPS device
  • Earthworm sampling equipment (96% ethanol, markers, sterile containers for earthworm samples etc.)
  • Soil sampling equipment (gloves, markers, sterile containers or bags etc.)

Tool Impact

Taking soil cores or digging small pits disturbs the soil profile. This can temporarily break soil aggregates, alter water infiltration and aeration locally and disrupt root systems of small seedlings. It can also have an impact on sensitive underground fauna, such as insect larvae. Unearthing earthworms during sampling may expose them briefly to predators or desiccation. Some individuals may be accidentally injured during digging and soil sampling.

Best Practices

  • During HUMANITA project a microplastic and earth worm distribution survey was undertaken in the Significant Landscape of Lower Kamenjak pilot site.

  • Further information on the sampling method can be retrieved under the following references:

    Ćaleta, Bruno & Hackenberger, Davorka & Hackenberger, Branimir. (2022). Microplastics in Lumbricus terrestris middens/casts and surrounding urban soil

    Scheurer, M., Bigalke, M., & Institute of Geography, University of Bern. (2015). Microplastics in Swiss floodplain soils. Institute of Geography, University of Bern

Specification

Category Manual / Guideline / Framework
Type
methodology
Range
global

Linked tools

Category Tool title and description
Study object
Study focus
Work step
Tool purpose
 Classic Professional Free to use Experimental
Database software (free)

A database is the classic tool for digital storage of large datasets.
Field recording form

Standardized paper form for collecting monitoring data in the field.
GPS device

A GPS is a small device that utilises satellite triangulation for navigation purposes. It can be a hand-held device or attached to an object in the field to gather spatial information.
Linear measurement equipment

Measuring equipment like a tape measure or ruler for measuring short distances (< 100 m).
plot marking material

Tools for highlighting the units being surveyed.
plot sampling

In ecology, plot sampling is a method for density, biomass, cover and frequency estimation of targeted organisms in which plots are selected from within a survey region and sampled.
QGIS

Free and open source GIS software.
Single-lens reflex (SLR) camera

Device for taking digital images in high resolution.
Soil auger/soil corer

A metal tool for extracting soil samples. Many diameters are available.
species identification key

Identification of species based on morphological traits. A standard species identification key is called a dichotomous key where stepwise assessment of unique physical characteristics of a specimen is made by a specialist. Each step leads to finer taxonomic classification. Species identification keys are usually used side-by-side with a collected sample of the plant or animal of interest because the specimen might need to be repositioned to see its unique physical characteristics.
Visual identification

Technique where animals, plants, funghi and lichens are identified in the field by an expert.

Gallery

The gallery is empty.

Legend

Study objects

Microbiota
Humans
Animals
Vegetation, Funghi & Lichen
Habitats

Study focus

Anthropogenic factors and impacts
Biodiversity (Species populations and Community Composition)
Ecosystem State, Structure and Functioning

Work steps

Presentation
Data collection
Plot establishment
Data analysis
Data archiving

Tool categories

TBD
Device
Software
Manual / Guideline / Framework

Tool purposes

Spatial Data
Numeric and Alphanumeric Data
Audio Data
Genetic Data
Photo/Video Data
Non Data generative
Chemical Compound Data