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Tracking the source of microplastics in soil—an exploratory case study in peach orchards from east-central Portugal
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Researchers tracked the sources and types of microplastics found in agricultural soil at peach orchards in east-central Portugal by analyzing soil, irrigation water, organic fertilizers, and atmospheric fallout. They identified microplastics from multiple entry points, including irrigation and soil amendments, with fibers and fragments being the most common shapes. The study demonstrates the need for a multi-source approach to understanding how microplastics accumulate in farmland.
In the last 20 years, world plastic production has increased rapidly, reaching 4.00 × 10 kg in 2022. However, less than 10% was recycled. Moreover, most conventional plastics are persistent and, therefore, remain in the environment long after their release. Although most studies on microplastic contamination focus on a single environmental compartment, an integrated and multicompartment approach is highly recommended considering the multitude of interactions between those compartments. This study addresses this knowledge gap, investigating the presence and potential sources of microplastics (MP) in agricultural soils under typical conditions of the Mediterranean region, characterised by dry summers and relatively moist and mild winters (Csa according to the Köppen-Geiger classification). For this, 19 orchards from east-central Portugal were used as case study sites, and a total of 111 samples were analysed. Soil content in MP was assessed in 3 soil layers (0-5, 5-15 and 15-25 cm). To quantify potential sources to soil, information from farmers was used, and samples from irrigation water, atmospheric deposition and manure were analysed. Optical assessment with the assistance of a stereomicroscope was used for MP quantification. The 0-5 cm soil layer showed a lower content (average of 2.2 particles·g) and higher particle sizes (average of 168 µm) than deeper soil layers. The identified sources contributed with 1.02 × 10 particles·m·year. Irrigation water was the main source, representing 55.9% of the aforementioned input rate encountered for the 3 identified MP sources. Additional knowledge is needed regarding the possible variation in MP content throughout the year and between years and the polymer identification, not only in samples collected from soil but also from its main contamination sources. Furthermore, this study should be extended to other crops and regions as part of broader soil health monitoring.
More Papers Like This
Data accompanying the paper "Tracking the source of microplastics in soil—an exploratory case study in peach orchards from east‑central Portugal"
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Researchers investigated the presence and potential sources of microplastics in agricultural soils, irrigation water, sheep manure, and atmospheric deposition across 19 peach orchards in the Beira Interior region of Portugal, providing a multi-matrix dataset to trace microplastic contamination pathways in a Mediterranean agricultural context.
Prevalence of microplastics in agricultural soils in southern Portugal
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Researchers conducted the first survey of microplastic contamination in agricultural soils from southern Portugal, collecting samples across four land-use areas with different farming practices and characterizing polymer types and their associations with agricultural history in a Mediterranean system.
Prevalence of microplastics in agricultural soils in southern Portugal
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Researchers conducted the first survey of microplastic contamination in agricultural soils from southern Portugal, collecting samples across four land-use areas with different farming practices and characterizing polymer types and their associations with agricultural history in a Mediterranean system.
Quantification and Analysis of Microplastics in Farmland Soils: Characterization, Sources, and Pathways
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This study quantified and characterized microplastics in farmland soils from multiple sites, identifying agricultural mulch films, irrigation water, and compost as major sources and documenting widespread soil contamination across different farming regions.
[Distribution, Sources, and Behavioral Characteristics of Microplastics in Farmland Soil].
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This systematic review summarizes existing research on how microplastics distribute, accumulate, and move through farmland soils worldwide. The study found that microplastics in agricultural soil come mainly from plastic mulch films, fertilizers, and irrigation water, with fibers and fragments being the most common shapes detected. Since farmland microplastics can be taken up by crops, this contamination pathway is a direct route for microplastics to enter the human food supply.
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