Some human-induced contaminants, such as heavy metals, are well-known and have been present in agricultural soils for a long time. Others, such as antibiotic-resistant bacteria or micro(nano)plastics represent emerging and novel threats.

In the following sections, each of those contaminants and their interlinkages with soil health and human health is explored. 

Impact assessments are an important tool for identifying and minimiting human health risks arising from the accumulation of different soil contaminants. This is of particular importance with regard to measures reinforcing the concept of circular economy and nutrient cycling (e.g. sewage sludge as fertilizer) (Perković et al., 2022).

Since research on some of the contaminants has only emerged quite recently, there are still severe knowledge gaps which limit impact assessments. For example, little is known about the relative distribution of different contaminants in the soil, their combined effects, their pathways within the soil, and their long-term effect on soil health and human health.

In order to close these knowledge gaps, long-term field studies, standardized protocols of measurement and comprehensive monitoring systems are needed (Perković et al., 2022).

Perković, S.; Paul, C.; Vasić, F.; Helming, K. (2022) Human Health and Soil Health Risks from Heavy Metals, Micro(nano)plastics, and Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Agricultural Soils. Agronomy, 12, 2945. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12122945