We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Retention and migration of microplastics in stepped paddy fields: A study on microplastic dynamics in the special irrigation system
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tracked microplastic movement through stepped paddy fields in China, finding that contamination increased significantly during the rice growing season. Microplastic abundance in soil nearly doubled from pre-planting to post-harvest, with irrigation water identified as the primary input pathway. The study reveals that the terraced structure of stepped paddy fields, while designed for water management, also influences how microplastics accumulate and migrate through agricultural landscapes.
The stepped paddy fields (SPFs) are important for food security and sustainable development. The unique spatial structure and complex hydrological processes in this system make it difficult to understand the migration of pollutants. In this study, microplastic pollution was investigated in the water and soil from Ziquejie SPFs, China. Samples were taken according to different stages of rice cultivation, different altitudes, and soil depths. Before rice planting, the average abundance in the water and soil samples was 1.3 ± 1.1 items/L and 292.2 ± 260.8 items/kg, respectively. After rice harvesting, the average abundance in soil increased to 495.37 ± 175.46 items/kg. More microplastics were found in depths of 0-15 cm than that of 15-30 cm, but the difference was not significant. Major microplastics were small (<1 mm) polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) fibers, with the main color of blue and transparent. The study found that SPFs hindered the migration of microplastics in irrigation water and hydraulic conditions affected the accumulation of microplastics. The edge areas in paddy fields where the water flowed slowly and were prone to vortices made it easier for microplastics to stay. Most of the microplastics accumulated in the upper SPF. After rice harvesting, the overall abundance of microplastics in the SPFs increased. Fibers and fragments exhibited different characteristics in migration. This study attempts to draw attention to the ecological risks caused by microplastic pollution in SPFs, especially in the upper paddy field and the effluent. The results are helpful for the protection of the SPF ecosystem and provide valuable references for future research.
More Papers Like This
Uneven Distribution of Microplastic Pollution in Paddy Fields Driven by Irrigation Hydrodynamics
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastic distribution in paddy fields was found to be uneven, with accumulation patterns influenced by irrigation, tillage, and proximity to field edges. The study maps how common rice cultivation practices drive heterogeneous microplastic distribution in one of the world's most important cropping systems.
The Source, Distribution Characteristics,and Migration Behavior of Microplastic Pollutionin Soil Environment in China: A Review
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed how microplastics enter Chinese soils — mainly through plastic mulch films, sewage irrigation, and fertilizer application — and how they migrate through soil layers while carrying other pollutants with them. The review highlights that China's intensive agricultural practices make its soils among the most microplastic-contaminated on Earth, with implications for food safety and groundwater quality.
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in soils with different agricultural practices: Importance of sources with internal origin and environmental fate
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Effects of irrigation on the fate of microplastics in typical agricultural soil and freshwater environments in the upper irrigation area of the Yellow River
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how irrigation affects microplastic distribution in agricultural soil and nearby waterways along the Yellow River. They found that irrigation increased microplastic concentrations in surface water and sediment while pushing smaller particles deeper into soil, suggesting that river water irrigation causes secondary microplastic pollution in agricultural environments.
Microplastics pollution in rice fields: a case study of Pir Bazar rural district of Gilan, Iran
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastic pollution in rice paddy soils in a rural area of northern Iran and compared them with non-paddy vegetable farms. Rice fields contained higher concentrations of microplastics, likely due to irrigation practices and plastic mulch use. The study found that fibers were the most common shape, and soil properties like organic matter content correlated with microplastic abundance, suggesting these particles could affect soil health over time.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.