This review provides insights into the degradation or disintegration of conventional single-use plastics and the biodegradability of the different types of greener counterparts, bioplastics, their mechanisms, and conditions. A previous literature review revealed that although bioplastics are relatively eco-friendly, their natural compositions and properties are inconsistent. Biodegradable plastics have the potential to replace conventional plastics as they show biodegradation ability in real-world environments. At the same time, the global plastic market for biodegradable plastics remains relatively small and requires further research and commercialization efforts when it comes to curbing plastic and microplastic pollution, which is currently a very critical global issue. The study highlights that intensive research on the various biodegradable plastics is required to inform stakeholders and policymakers on the appropriate response to the gradually emerging biodegradable plastics.
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.[…]
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,[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]