We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Macro- and micro-plastic accumulation in soils under different intensive farming systems: A case study in Quzhou county, the North China Plain
AI summary Read the abstract
Soil samples from six farming systems in the North China Plain showed macroplastic abundances from 0.2 to 46.8 kg/ha and microplastic concentrations up to 3.7×10⁴ items/kg, with greenhouse and mulched vegetable fields showing the highest contamination.
The macroplastics (MaPs) and microplastics (MiPs) polluting agricultural soils raise great concerns. Unfortunately, scientists know little about the occurrence of MaPs/MiPs in soil among different farming systems. In this study, we analyzed MaPs/MiPs in soils (0-30 cm) collected from six different farming systems (wheat-maize rotations, cotton, vegetables, permanent orchards, greenhouses with and without mulching) in Quzhou county, the North China Plain, by using fluorescence microscope and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that the abundance of MaPs and MiPs ranged from 0.2 to 46.8 kg ha, and 4.1 × 10-3.7 × 10 items kg, respectively. The prominent colors of the MaPs were white and black. The predominant shape, size and chemical composition of soil MiPs were fragments (45-62%), <1 mm (98-99%), and polyethylene (38-43%), respectively. MaPs were mainly detected in the 0-10 cm soil layer. MiP abundance in the 0-10 cm soil layer was significantly higher than that in the 20-30 cm soil layers among different farming systems, except for the fields with wheat-maize rotations and permanent orchards (p < 0.05). Overall, cotton fields showed the highest MaP and MiP abundance, followed by vegetable fields and orchards. Redundancy analysis revealed that tillage practices and plastic film management greatly influence the size distribution of MiPs. A strong negative correlation between large-sized plastic fractions (0.2-1 mm) and tillage frequency was tested while the years of application of plastic films and the abundance of plastic residues showed a strong positive correlation with small-sized plastic fractions (<0.2 mm). Our findings conclude that agricultural mulch films are an important source of MaPs and MiPs in agricultural soil and distributions are strongly influenced by agricultural management practices and farming systems. Further studies should take farming systems and farming practices into account, thereby exploring the potential mechanisms of plastic fragmentation and granularization in agricultural soil.
More Papers Like This
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 plastic mulching on the accumulation and distribution of macro and micro plastics in soils of two farming systems in Northwest China.
AI summary Read the abstract
This study investigated how plastic mulching practices in Northwest China affect the accumulation and soil distribution of macro and microplastics in agricultural fields. Plastic fragments from degraded mulch films were found throughout the soil profile, with farming system and management practices influencing the extent of plastic contamination.
Effects of agricultural land types on microplastic abundance: A nationwide meta-analysis in China
AI summary Read the abstract
Meta-analysis of 321 observations across Chinese agricultural soils found that vegetable-growing soils had the highest microplastic contamination, followed by orchards, cropland, and grassland. Agricultural film mulch significantly increased soil microplastic levels, especially in orchards, while higher population density and economic activity correlated with increased contamination across all land types.
Status, characteristics, and ecological risks of microplastics in farmland surface soils cultivated with different crops across mainland China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted a nationwide survey of microplastics in farmland soils across mainland China, covering over 30 crop types in 109 cities. They found microplastics in all sampled soils, with concentrations varying by crop type, region, and farming practices such as plastic film mulching and irrigation methods. The study provides the most comprehensive picture to date of agricultural microplastic contamination in China and identifies the key farming practices that contribute most to soil pollution.
Effect of plastic mulching on the accumulation and distribution of macro and micro plastic particles in the soil - A case study of two farming systems in North West China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared microplastic and macroplastic accumulation in soils at two farming sites in northwestern China that use different levels of plastic mulch intensity and tillage. Both sites showed significant plastic debris accumulation, with more intensive farming associated with higher contamination. The study highlights how farm management choices affect the buildup of plastic pollution in agricultural soils.
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.