Analysis and risk evaluation of soil microplastics in the Rohingya refugee camp area, Bangladesh: A comprehensive study

The global concern over the pollution-induced by microplastics (MPs) has intensified due to its adverse effects on the environment, particularly in terrestrial ecosystems, where it poses potential threats to soil quality and resident species. However, there is a noticeable research gap regarding soil MPs in dumping sites, specifically within the Rohingya Refugee Camp (RRC), the world's largest humanitarian crisis located in Bangladesh. The main objective of this study is to assess soil MPs' abundance, spatial distribution, and inherent risks in the RRC. The investigation involved extracting MPs from ten soil sampling sites in Kutupalong RRC, home to Rohingya refugees who sought refuge in Bangladesh following the 2017 ethnic atrocities in Northern Rakhine State, Myanmar. Stereomicroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were employed for identification purposes. The concentration of MPs in the study area varied from 67 to 126 (items/kg) (dry weight), with a mean concentration of 103.80 ± 20.671 (items/kg). MPs with sizes