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The Source, Distribution Characteristics,and Migration Behavior of Microplastic Pollutionin Soil Environment in China: A Review
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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.
Pollution from microplastics (plastics<5 mm, MPs) has been recognized relatively recently as one of the most urgent and pervasive global environmental problems of the 21st century.MPs are organic particles that are typically characterized by small sizes (m range), complex molecular structures, prolonged environmental persistence, and strong sorption onto other organic contaminants.The main sources of MPs in the soil environment include plastic film planting, sewage irrigation, and organic fertilizer or sludge applications.These agronomic practices are meant to enhance crop productivity for a hungry world.Ironically, misuse of the same practices can adversely impact human and ecosystem health.Soil MPs do not only change the physical and chemical properties of soil, but also have ecological effects on soil flora, fauna, and microbial communities.Furthermore, MPs can serve as additional carriers of pollutants in soil environments.This paper is a review of current knowledge about the occurrence, abundance, and distribution of MPs in Chinese soils, with brief mentions of parallel global viewpoints on the topics.Mechanistic aspects of migration behavior, factors that influence such behaviors, and prospects for remediating adverse impacts of MPs in soils are reviewed.
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Potential sources and occurrence of macro-plastics and microplastics pollution in farmland soils: A typical case of China
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This review examines plastic pollution in Chinese farmland soils, finding that agricultural practices like mulch film use and sewage sludge application are major sources of both macro- and microplastics that accumulate over time.
Identifying the sources, migration and risks of microplastics in soil ecosystem along urban-rural landscape
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This Chinese-language review systematically examined the sources, migration pathways, and ecological and health risks of microplastics in soils across urban and rural landscapes. The authors call for better understanding of microplastic material flows and fate in agricultural and residential soils to protect both soil ecosystems and human health.
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in soils with different agricultural practices: Importance of sources with internal origin and environmental fate
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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.
Distinct microplastic distributions in soils of different land-use types: A case study of Chinese farmlands
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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.
The abundance, characteristics and distribution of microplastics (MPs) in farmland soil—Based on research in China
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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.
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