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Generation Characteristics of Micro Plastics from Different Types of Coated Controlled-Release Fertilizer Films
Summary
Researchers conducted soil incubation experiments simulating five years of continuous application of three polymer-coated controlled-release fertilizers to characterize microplastic generation from their degrading coating films. The study found that the polymer coating type significantly affected both fertilizer release characteristics and microplastic production, with changes in soil nitrogen fractions and electrical conductivity influencing the rate of membrane shell degradation and subsequent plastic particle release.
To understand the potential microplastic risks posed by persistent polymer coating materials, this study employed three common polymer-coated controlled-release fertilizers to conduct soil incubation experiments. The experiments simulated the potential microplastic generation characteristics under the condition of continuous application for 5 years across double cropping seasons. The results showed that the three types of coated urea with different membrane materials had significant impacts due to their different release characteristics, which significantly influenced soil electrical conductivity, nitrate-nitrogen, ammonium-nitrogen, and total nitrogen. Changes in these indicators further affected membrane shell degradation and microplastic production. When applied in the form. of intact granules, the bio-based polyurethane-coated controlled- release urea released the highest amount of microplastics, which was 237. 3% higher than that of the blank control, and 29. 7% to 39. 0% higher than that of polyethylene-coated and polyurethane-coated urea respectively. When applied in the form. of crushed granules, the simulated crushed polyethylene membrane treatment released the highest amount of microplastics, which was 160% higher than that of the blank control, and 62. 5% to 182. 6% higher than that of the simulated crushed bio-based polyurethane membrane treatment and simulated crushed polyurethane membrane treatment respectively. This study indicates that the polymer coatings on the surface of coated controlled-release fertilizers can release microplastics, and the risk of microplastic release from crushed membrane shells is increased.
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