Fig. 3: Estimated cumulative throughfall deposition of microplastics (p m^-2) under different scenarios ranging from minimal to extreme combined with European Union (EU) plastic production (Mt^-1) according Plastic Europe (2014, 2023)^66,67 and fit to total microplastic stocks (p m^-2) in forest soils.

Estimated throughfall deposition of microplastics per year (p m^-2) coupled to the increase factor of European resin (plastic) production with minimal scenario (minimal value of microplastic loads), conservative scenario (1st quartile of microplastic loads); median scenario (median of microplastic loads) and progressive scenario (3rd quartile of microplastic loads) and extreme scenario (maximal value of microplastic loads). Sum of microplastic stocks (p m^-2) combining organic (Oi, Oe, Oh) and mineral (A, B) horizons of the studied forest soils.