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Mapping of Agricultural Plastics Pollution in Soil: case study of Italy, France and Norway
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Researchers developed an atlas quantifying and localizing agricultural plastic waste in Italy, France, and Norway, finding that plastic mulch films and other agricultural plastics accumulate in soils and generate microplastic contamination that varies significantly by crop type, climate, and waste management practices.
The widespread use of plastics in agriculture, such as covering films, mulching films and others, has improved food production by protecting crops, extending growing seasons and reducing consumption of water, but has significantly contributed to the accumulation of plastic waste in soil, leading to microplastic contamination. These materials break down over time and microplastics can persist in soil ecosystems, negatively affecting soil health and agricultural productivity. To address this pressing issue, an Atlas for the quantification and localization of Agricultural Plastic Waste (APW) has been developed as a comprehensive tool to evaluate the distribution, dynamics, and potential impacts of agricultural plastics in soil environments by the integration of Plastic Waste Indices (PWI) capable of estimating quantities of APW. This allows advanced mapping techniques (GIS) and extensive data validation from case studies conducted in three different European locations such as Italy, France, and Norway. These countries were chosen for their different climatic conditions and the different use of plastics in agriculture. The findings of this research underscore the urgent need for a robust waste management system to reduce the environmental risks posed by agricultural plastics, safeguard soil health, and ensure the long-term sustainability of agricultural ecosystems.
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Methodology and geo-referenced mapping of agricultural plastic waste in Finland and Norway
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Researchers mapped agricultural plastic waste generation in Finland and Norway at the provincial level using geo-referenced Plastic Waste Indices combined with agricultural census data, finding that silage films dominate waste streams (56–69% of totals) and that Norway generates roughly twice the plastic waste per agricultural hectare as Finland.
Environmental potential risk of microplastic pollution due to agricultural plastics: a case study in Apulia region
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Researchers assessed the environmental risk of microplastic pollution from agricultural plastic waste in the Apulia region of Italy, examining how the breakdown of agricultural plastics at end-of-life contributes to soil and ecosystem contamination.
Micro plastics mapping in the agricultural sector of Cyprus
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Researchers mapped microplastic pollution across agricultural areas in Cyprus, identifying key hotspots and sources of contamination. They found that plastic mulch films, irrigation systems, and fertilizer applications were major contributors to microplastic accumulation in farmland soils. The study emphasizes the need for targeted policies to reduce plastic use in Mediterranean agriculture and protect both soil health and food safety.
Spatial and temporal variance of microplastics in agricultural soils
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This study reviewed how microplastic concentrations in agricultural soils vary by location and over time across multiple European field sites. The findings highlight that farming practices are direct sources of soil plastic contamination, and that long-term monitoring is needed to understand accumulation trends and their effects on soil health.
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.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.