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Environmental Sources
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Microplastics originated from agricultural mulching films affect enchytraeid multigeneration reproduction and soil properties
Journal of Hazardous Materials2024
17 citations
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Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Score: 60
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0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Klára Šmídová,
Klára Šmídová,
Klára Šmídová,
Klára Šmídová,
Klára Šmídová,
Klára Šmídová,
Salla Selonen,
Salla Selonen,
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Salla Selonen,
Salla Selonen,
Salla Selonen,
Salla Selonen,
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Salla Selonen,
Salla Selonen,
Salla Selonen,
Salla Selonen,
Salla Selonen,
Salla Selonen,
Salla Selonen,
Salla Selonen,
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Salla Selonen,
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Petr Fleissig,
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Salla Selonen,
Jakub Hofman,
Petr Fleissig,
Salla Selonen,
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Jakub Hofman,
Salla Selonen,
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Salla Selonen,
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Salla Selonen,
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Jakub Hofman,
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Jakub Hofman,
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Salla Selonen,
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Salla Selonen,
Salla Selonen,
Salla Selonen,
Salla Selonen,
Jakub Hofman,
Salla Selonen,
Salla Selonen,
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Jakub Hofman,
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Salla Selonen,
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
Summary
This study tested microplastics from real agricultural mulching films, both conventional polyethylene and biodegradable types, on small soil worms over multiple generations. Even biodegradable film microplastics reduced worm reproduction and altered soil properties like pH and water-holding capacity. The results show that microplastics from agricultural plastics, including supposedly eco-friendly alternatives, can harm soil organisms and threaten long-term soil health and food production.
Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly entering agricultural soils, often from the breakdown of agricultural plastics (e.g., mulching films). This study investigates the effects of realistic MPs from different mulching films: two conventional polyethylene (PE-1 and PE-2) and two biodegradable (starch-blended polybutylene adipate co-terephthalate; PBAT-BD-1 and PBAT-BD-2). MPs were mixed into Lufa 2.2 soil at a concentration range from 0.005 % to 5 % (w/w dry soil), wide enough to reflect both realistic environmental levels and "worst-case scenarios". Effects on Enchytraeus crypticus reproduction over two generations and six important soil properties were studied. PBAT MPs notably reduced enchytraeid reproduction in the F0 generation, with a maximum decrease of 35.5 ± 9.6 % at 0.5 % concentration. F1 generation was unaffected by PBAT contamination. PE MPs had a more substantial reproductive impact, with up to a 55.3 ± 9.7 % decrease at 5 % PE-1 concentration compared to the control, showing a dose-related effect except for 1 %. Both MP types also significantly affected soil water holding capacity, pH, and total carbon. Other soil properties remained unaffected. Our results highlight the potential negative impacts of MPs originating from real agricultural plastics on soil health and raise concerns about the role of agricultural plastics in sustainable agriculture and food safety.