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Quantitative distribution and quantized ecological threat of microplastics in farmland: Shanghai as an example
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Researchers quantified microplastic contamination in farmland soils across Shanghai, finding that vegetable fields had significantly higher microplastic abundance than orchards. The study suggests that cropping patterns play an important role in microplastic accumulation, and the researchers developed a framework for quantifying the specific threat that microplastics pose to soil health and crop yield.
The occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in farmlands poses a threat to soil health and crop yield. There needs to be more research on the role of cropping patterns in the accumulation of MPs and quantizing the threat of MPs on soil health and crop yield. In this study, a field study was carried out to explore the role of cropping patterns in the accumulation of MPs in agricultural soil in Shanghai, China. Furthermore, the specific effect and importance of MPs and each soil physicochemical indicator to soil health and crop yield were clarified, and the threat of MPs in reducing soil health and crop yield was quantized. Relative lower MPs abundance was detected in Shanghai. MPs abundance in vegetable fields was significantly higher than that in orchards. The broad source of MPs, the acceleration of plastics breaking under artificial disturbance and warmer temperatures, and the block of MPs exchange could account for the quicker accumulation of MPs in vegetable fields. MPs have a negligible effect on microbial diversity and metabolic activity which plays a role in soil enzyme activity. Besides, MPs served as one of the critical factors for rice yield reduction.
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Microplastic and mesoplastic pollution in farmland soils in suburbs of Shanghai, China
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Vegetable farmland soils from 20 sites in Shanghai suburbs were analyzed for micro- and mesoplastics, finding microplastic concentrations of 78 items/kg in shallow (0–3 cm) and 62.5 items/kg in deep (3–6 cm) soils, and identifying PE and PP as dominant polymers. The study documents microplastic contamination in peri-urban farmland soils surrounding one of China's most densely populated cities.
Status, characteristics, and ecological risks of microplastics in farmland surface soils cultivated with different crops across mainland China
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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.
Microplastics abundance associated with farmland use types and the impact on soil microbial communities: A case study in Southern China
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination across orchard, paddy field, and vegetable field soils in Southern China and analyzed how it affected soil microbial communities. They found microplastic levels ranging widely across sites, with very small particles under 30 micrometers being most common, and identified 32 different polymer types. The study shows that farmland use type and agricultural practices like plastic mulching significantly influence both the amount and type of microplastic contamination in soils.
Distribution characteristics of microplastics in typical farmland in Pudong new Area
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Researchers found microplastic pollution in all three vegetable farming sites studied in Shanghai's Pudong New Area, with an average abundance of 76.2 particles per kilogram of soil, primarily fibers and film fragments linked to the use of agricultural mulching films.
Effects of agricultural land types on microplastic abundance: A nationwide meta-analysis in China
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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.
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