We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Spatial distribution of microplastics in Mollisols of the farmland in Northeast China: the role of field management and plastic sources
Summary
Researchers investigated how farmland management practices affect the distribution of microplastics in vegetable fields in Northeast China. They found seven types of plastic polymers in soil layers down to 30 centimeters, with larger macroplastic fragments being the primary source of microplastic contamination. Higher fertilization doses contributed more to microplastic generation than tillage frequency.
• Microplastics (MPs) abundance was mainly influenced by Macroplastic (MaP) in farmland. • MP distribution wasn’t directly influenced by the surrounding environment of farmland. • Migration of various MP types from the plow layer to adjacent layer was not different. • MPs coming from MaP fragment influenced by fertilization was greater than tillage. Although microplastics (MPs) have been widely found in farmland soil, the influence of pollutant sources and farmland management on MPs migration and distribution is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the distribution of MPs in the 0–30 cm soil layers of vegetable fields with long-term mulching and surrounded by complex pollution sources under three management methods (MMs) (MM1, high fertilization dose and moderate tillage frequency; MM2, moderate fertilization dose and high tillage frequency; MM3, low fertilization dose and low tillage frequency) in Mollisols of Northeast China. Geostatistics combined with classical statistics were used to clarify the distribution of MPs and their driving factors. The results indicated that the polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyether urethane (PEUR) and a mixture of “PE and PP” (PE:PP) were found in the 0–30 cm soil layer. The dominant sizes of PE-MPs and non-PE-MPs (NPE-MPs) were 1–5 mm and <1.0 mm in the 0–30 cm soil layer. The abundance of MPs was higher in the 20–30 cm soil layer near the irrigation wells than in the 0–20 cm soil layer, and the spatial distribution of MPs was random in both layers. The distances from sampling points to the polluted sources (e.g., residential area, landfill and single farmhouse) were not significantly correlated ( p > 0.05) with the abundance of MPs in the 0–30 cm soil layer, but were significantly correlated ( p < 0.05) with the abundance of MaPs. The effect of fertilization dose (0.201–0.248) on the abundance of MPs was greater than that of tillage frequency (0.170–0.188). Generally, the distribution of MPs was directly affected by the distribution of MaPs in the farmland soil, while the polluted sources surrounding the farmland indirectly affected the distribution of MPs by influencing the MaPs sources. MPs formation was more affected by fertilization than by tillage. This study clarified the effects of pollution sources and MMs on the distribution of MPs in farmland soils, and provided guidance for better management of MPs contamination in farmlands.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in soils with different agricultural practices: Importance of sources with internal origin and environmental fate
Microplastic abundance and characteristics were examined in soils representing four agricultural practice types in Chinese farmland to evaluate the influence of land use on plastic particle accumulation. Microplastic concentrations and polymer types varied by agricultural practice, with plastic mulch film use and irrigation water source as key drivers of farmland soil contamination.
The abundance, characteristics and distribution of microplastics (MPs) in farmland soil—Based on research in China
This review analyzed microplastic contamination in farmland soil across China and found that fertilizer use and plastic mulch film are the biggest contributors, increasing soil microplastic levels by 170% and 232% respectively. The most common types found were polyethylene and polypropylene fragments and fibers. These findings are concerning because microplastics in farm soil can be taken up by crops and enter the human food supply.
Distinct microplastic distributions in soils of different land-use types: A case study of Chinese farmlands
Microplastic distribution across six types of farmland land use was surveyed from soils in five Chinese provinces to determine how agricultural practices shape soil microplastic contamination. The study found that microplastic abundance varied significantly by land-use type, with plastic mulch film use and irrigation practices as key contributing factors.
Spatial Distributions, Compositional Profiles, Potential Sources, and Intfluencing Factors of Microplastics in Soils from Different Agricultural Farmlands in China: A National Perspective
Researchers conducted a nationwide survey of microplastics in Chinese agricultural soils, collecting 477 samples from 109 cities across 31 regions, and identified spatial distribution patterns and key factors influencing farmland microplastic contamination.
A case on source to soil to solutions: Distribution characteristics of microplastics in farmland soil of the largest vegetable base in Northwest China
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in farmland soil at the largest vegetable growing region in northwest China, finding an average of nearly 2,000 particles per kilogram of soil. Greenhouse-farmed soil had more microplastics than open-field soil, and contamination increased with years of farming, with plastic mulch film, irrigation water, and fertilizer all contributing to the pollution. While current levels were assessed as low ecological risk, the steady accumulation over time raises concerns about long-term food safety in intensively farmed regions.