Plastic mulch films contribute significantly to microplastic pollution in farmland soil; however, their direct impact in areas with high human activity remains unclear due to the presence of multiple pollution sources. This study aims to address this knowledge gap by investigating the impact of plastic film mulching on microplastic pollution in farmland soils in China’s Guangdong province. The study investigated macroplastic residues in soils at 64 agricultural sites, and the microplastics were analysed in typical plastic film-mulched and nearby non-mulched farmland soils. The pollution load index (PLI) model indicated that the microplastic pollution level was in category I and comparatively higher in mulched farmland soils. Polyethylene accounted for about 2.7% of the microplastics, while polyurethane was found to be the most abundant microplastic. The studies revealed that, according to the polymer hazard index (PHI) model, polyethylene posed a lower environmental risk than polyurethane in both mulched and non-mulched soils. Findings from the study reveal that multiple sources other than plastic film mulching primarily contribute to microplastic pollution in farmland soils. This study enhances the understanding of microplastic sources and accumulation in farmland soils, offering crucial information on potential risks to the agroecosystem.
This paper characterizes the fungal and bacterial colonizers of 5 types of plastic films (High-Density Polyethylene, Low-Density Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polystyrene, and Polyethylene Terephthalate) throughout a 242-day incubation in the south-eastern Mediterranean and relates them to the chemical changes observed on the surface of the samples via ATR-FTIR. Neither bacterial nor fungal community structures were related[…]
This paper provides insights into the sustainable alternatives that can replace conventional plastic mulches, such as biodegradable mulches made from natural fibers and biopolymers. The microscopic and FTIR analyses conducted during the study showed the degradation of the fibers from the mulches during the exposure time to a certain extent. The nonwoven mulches provide higher[…]
This paper investigates the degradation of biodegradable polybutylene adipate terephthalate/polylactic acid (PBAT/PLA) and traditional polyethylene (PE) plastic under two typical abiotic conditions: ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and mechanical abrasion (MA) for up to nine months. The quantitative analysis of the degradation products was carried out using membrane filtration and total organic carbon determination (MF-TOCD). The results[…]
This paper identifies technological innovation, policy formulation, advocacy and sensitization, and bioremediation as some of the approaches that are currently used for the mitigation of plastic pollution in Nigeria. This chapter also highlights the need to encourage, enhance, and disseminate scientific research on mitigating the harmful effects of plastic pollution in Nigeria. It concluded with[…]
This review provides insights into the sources of microplastics, the ecotoxicity of microplastics, and the impact microplastics have on aquatic and marine life, management, and bioremediation of microplastics. Policies and strategies adopted by the government to combat microplastic pollution are also discussed in this review. Microplastics tend to accumulate in many aquatic systems, contaminate them,[…]