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An Evaluation of Potential Microplastic Risk from Commercial Organic Fertilizers
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A study comparing shrimp aquaculture in HDPE and concrete ponds in Indonesia found significantly higher microplastic concentrations in HDPE pond water (15,474 particles/m³) and shrimp tissue (6.75 particles/g), with a moderate positive correlation between water and tissue levels indicating bioaccumulation. The results show that aquaculture pond materials directly influence microplastic contamination in farmed seafood, with clear implications for food safety.
The widespread presence of microplastics (MPs) as emerging contaminants in soil has become a major concern, with organic fertilizers extensively used in agriculture being potential sources of soil MPs. In this study, eight commercially available organic fertilizer products were randomly purchased from the market and characterized for their static properties, as well as their status after being applied to soil as inputs. The study revealed that 100% of the tested commercial organic fertilizers contained detectable MPs, with average and maximum abundances of 2,547 ± 427 and 9,454 ± 2,151 items·g− 1, respectively. The aspect ratio of most MPs in commercial organic fertilizers was less than 10, with small-sized MPs (aspect ratio of 1–5) accounting for 71% of them. The accumulation of MPs in commercial organic fertilizers was positively correlated with pH, available potassium, and heavy metal content, with contributions ranging from 4.6 to 13.3%. After the application of commercial organic fertilizers into the soil, the abundance of MPs in the soil significantly increased along with the soil temperature and moisture, while being adverse to the particle size. The potential long-term accumulation of soil MPs resulting from prolonged and exclusive use of organic fertilizers raises concerns as a new agricultural issue that warrants sustained attention.
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Quantification and Identification of Microplastics in Organic Fertilizers: The Implication for the Manufacture and Safe Application
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Researchers analyzed 25 commercial organic fertilizers and farm composts and found microplastics in all of them, with farm composts containing more than twice the concentration of commercial products. The findings suggest that organic fertilizer application is a significant and underregulated pathway for microplastic contamination of agricultural soils.
Exploring Microplastic Distribution in Agricultural Soils and Health Risk Evaluation
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Researchers mapping microplastic contamination in Bangladesh agricultural soils found plastic particles penetrating to at least 15 cm depth across mulched farmland, suggesting that common farming practices are driving microplastics deeper into the food-producing soil that grows our crops.
Quantification and identification of microplastics in organic fertilizers: the implication for the manufacture and safe application
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Researchers measured microplastic contamination in 23 commercial organic fertilizers, finding widespread presence at levels that could meaningfully contribute to agricultural soil pollution when fertilizers are applied. The results raise concerns about organic fertilizers as an underappreciated pathway for microplastics entering farm soils and the food system.
Hazards of Microplastic Pollution in Agriculture
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This review examined the sources and hazards of microplastic pollution in agricultural settings, including plastic mulch degradation, sewage sludge application, and plastic packaging, and their effects on soil health and crop systems. Agricultural microplastic exposure is especially significant for human health because it creates a direct farm-to-table contamination pathway, with particles and leached chemicals potentially present in vegetables, grains, and livestock products.
Impact of Microplastic Pollution on Soil Health
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Researchers review how microplastics enter agricultural soils from plastic mulch films, sewage sludge, and irrigation water, documenting their effects on soil microbial communities, nutrient cycling, and overall soil health in ways that may threaten long-term agricultural productivity.
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