In recent times, the escalation of plastic waste and its accumulation in the environment has emerged as a substantial economic worry. While the issue of ocean plastic pollution is widely recognized, the infiltration of polymers into topsoil worldwide poses severe threats to both human health and the ecosystem.
Plastics disintegrate into minute particles termed microplastics (MPs) in the soil through natural and human-induced processes, fundamentally altering soil characteristics. Moreover, these particles are assimilated by plants, potentially infiltrating the human food chain and triggering health complications.
Within the realm of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives, particularly focusing on the “Environmental” facet, evaluating the impact of MPs on soil properties holds paramount importance for corporate sustainability. Global corporations are increasingly pressured to embrace environmentally friendly measures, with plastic-related challenges occupying a central position in these endeavors.
Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms governing the environmental repercussions of subterranean MPs remain enigmatic. The intricate interplay between soil variability and MP diversity complicates the understanding and management of their effects on soil attributes.
Under the guidance of Professor Yong Sik Ok, a team of researchers harnessed machine learning (ML) algorithms to assess and predict the influence of MPs on soil properties, aiming to bridge the research gap in this domain. Professor Ok, affiliated with KU HCR, spearheads the International ESG Association (IESGA) and serves as the chair and program director of the Sustainable Waste Management Program within the Association of Pacific Rim Universities’ (APRU SWM Program).
“ML” stands as a dynamic domain within artificial intelligence (AI) that facilitates precise prognostications and knowledge acquisition from extensive datasets via algorithms and models. As per Professor Fine, a key contributor to the study, leveraging ML to unravel the role of MPs in soil systems proves to be a time-efficient and resource-effective approach, laying a robust foundation for further exploration.
Building upon Professor Ok’s pivotal reviews featured in “Plastics in the Environment” in Nature Reviews Earth and Environment, the research outcomes were unveiled online on November 5, 2023, in Environmental Pollution.
The ML algorithms, tailored to forecast the repercussions of MPs on soil attributes, unveiled that diverse MP factors encompassing type, dimensions, structure, and concentration exerted substantial influences on soil characteristics. Notably, MP length emerged as a pivotal determinant impacting soil properties, alongside the configuration, composition, and concentration of MPs significantly altering the chemical attributes of soils.
This groundbreaking analysis, aligned with the global emphasis on conservation and ESG principles, furnishes crucial insights to underpin well-informed decisions concerning plastic waste management. It underscores the significance of innovative research in steering corporate sustainability endeavors amidst escalating concerns regarding plastic-related issues. According to Prof. Hey, employing ML methodologies to tackle this challenge underscores the potential of cutting-edge technologies in advancing sustainable practices and nurturing a more environmentally conscious future.
The statistical revelations regarding the impact of MPs on soil attributes epitomize a breakthrough in comprehending and addressing the plastic waste conundrum. The integration of ML systems in this study marks a revolutionary departure from conventionally arduous and resource-intensive methodologies for projecting and interpreting the influence of MPs on soil properties.
The study’s adoption of an ML-driven strategy underscores the potential of advanced technologies in combatting MP pollutants in the environment. Data-centric research can guide decisions pertaining to plastic waste management while upholding ESG, social responsibility, and community engagement principles, in alignment with global sustainability objectives. Professor Ok envisions that this approach can not only enhance corporate conservation initiatives but also pave the way for greener employment opportunities and sustainable progress, fostering an environmentally conscious world for present and future generations.
The incorporation of ML insights into the examination of MPs’ impacts within the ESG framework resonates with social responsibility, advocating for sustainable practices that yield positive communal outcomes. By integrating ML solutions, enterprises combatting MP waste can diminish their environmental footprint while bolstering public trust. These initiatives may, in turn, influence industry standards, potentially fostering job creation and stimulating economic growth in related sectors.
Professor Ok emphasizes, “Our unwavering commitment to addressing the global menace posed by plastic pollution and the pivotal role of soil ecosystems is exemplified through our contributions to three groundbreaking special editions on “Soils in Food Systems” and “Plastics in the Environment” in Nature journals.”
