EDDS and polystyrene interactions: implications for soil health and management practices.

Plastic pollution is a serious environmental issue affecting soil health worldwide, and this study sheds new light on the potential benefits of using EDDS at lower concentrations for soil remediation and phytoremediation. The findings reveal that EDDS can mitigate the negative impacts of PS on soil health and maize growth by improving nutrient availability, enhancing soil structure, and water retention. The study is the first to investigate the interactive effects of EDDS and PS on maize growth parameters across different levels of PS contamination. The results provide critical insights into the mechanisms underlying the mitigating effects of EDDS and highlight the need for further research on the environmental impacts of plastic pollution and effective management practices. Overall, this study presents a novel approach to mitigating the negative impacts of plastic pollution on soil health and crop production, with important implications for sustainable agriculture and environmental preservation.This study shows that EDDS, at lower concentrations, can mitigate the negative impacts of PSMPS on soil health and maize growth. It is the first to examine interactions between EDDS and PSMPS across varying levels of contamination. The results point to the potential benefits of EDDS as a soil amendment to remediate MPs pollution, revealing insights into its mechanisms of action. Findings suggest possible solutions for MPs pollution in agriculture but call for more research to balance environmental goals.