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Agricultural plastic mulching as a source of microplastics in the terrestrial environment
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This study analyses 384 soil samples from 19 provinces across China to determine the presence of macroplastics and microplastics in agricultural soils. The results revealed that macroplastic concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 324.5 kg/ha, with an average of 83.6 kg/ha. Western China was found to have higher concentrations in comparison to eastern China. A significant correlation was found between mulching film consumption and plastic residue in soils, suggesting plastic film mulching may be a major source of macroplastics. Microplastic particles increased over time in locations where mulching was continuously used, with concentrations of 80.3 ± 49.3, 308 ± 138.1, and 1075.6 ± 346.8 pieces/kg soil in fields with 5, 15, and 24 years of continuous mulching, respectively. The study concluded that plastic mulching is a significant source of macroplastic and microplastic contamination in terrestrial environments.

Latest Posts

1
Accumulation of microplastics in greenhouse soil after long-term plastic film mulching in Beijing, China

The current study examines the contamination of microplastics in three greenhouse types: abandoned, normal, and simple. The findings revealed that the abundance of microplastics was found to be the highest in the abandoned greenhouse, followed by the normal greenhouse and simple greenhouse. The mean abundance of microplastic organic fertilizer and irrigation water was also high.[…]

2
Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Residual Film in Soil Profile under Continuous Film Mulching

The study examines the distribution of residual film after eight years of film mulching in mid-April 2018. Results from the study revealed that eight years of mulching significantly increased the quantity of agricultural mulch film residues in the soil. The size of residual film fragments was found to vary from 0.25 cm2 to 109 cm2,[…]

3
Effects of land use and landscape on the occurrence and distribution of microplastics in soil, China

A study in Yuanmou County, Yunnan Province, investigated microplastic pollution in different land uses, including facility farmland, traditional farmland, orchard, grassland, and woodland. Results showed a significant difference in microplastic abundance and characteristics between different land use types. Facility farmlands, traditional farmlands, and orchard lands had higher microplastic abundance than grasslands and woodlands. The main[…]

4
Exploring the Occurrence Characteristics of Microplastics in Typical Maize Farmland Soils With Long-Term Plastic Film Mulching in Northern China

The study analysed 225 soil samples from maize planting zones in northern China, revealing that long-term plastic film mulching increases microplastic pollution in agricultural soils. The abundance of microplastics was significantly higher in mulched soils (754 ± 477 items kg-1) than in non-mulched soils (376 ± 149 items kg-1). The length of time with film[…]

5
Distribution and migration characteristics of microplastics in farmland soils, surface water and sediments in Caohai Lake, southwestern plateau of China

The study examined the relative abundances and morphological distributions of microplastics (MPs) in water, sediments, and farmland soils in the Caohai Lake region. The estuary in the study area was considered a potential sink for MP transportation. Transparent and black MPs accounted for a large proportion of MPs in the five environments, with possible sources[…]