We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Distribution and Characteristics of Microplastics in Agricultural Soils around Gehu Lake, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Soil sampling around Gehu Lake, China found microplastic abundance ranging from 373 to 7,888 items/kg across different farming practices, with plastic mulching and greenhouse agriculture producing significantly higher contamination and smaller particles migrating deeper into soil profiles. The high microplastic loads in Chinese farmland — a major food production region — highlight the risk of plastic particles entering crops and the food supply through intensive agricultural practices.
Agricultural soil is subject to the serious contamination of microplastics (MPs) derived from the intensive agricultural activities. The representative sites under different farming practices (mulching, greenhouse, or traditional plantation) were selected, with soil samples collected from shallow (0–5 cm) and deep (5–10 cm) layers. Results showed that the distribution of MPs varied greatly with sites, with the abundance ranging from 373 ± 236 to 7 888 ± 1 797 items kg−1. Meanwhile, MPs in deep soil appeared to have higher abundance and smaller size compared to those in shallow layer, indicating the vertical transport of MPs especially the small ones. Overall, MPs with the size of < 1 mm, the shapes of fragment and fiber, and the colors of black, white, and transparent, individually played the most contribution. Furthermore, laser direct infrared spectroscopy (LDIR) and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (µ-FTIR) were applied for identification of MPs, and 20 polymer types were identified. Among them, polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene were the primary types. The distribution of MPs revealed that facility agriculture application (such as mulching and greenhouse) led to more serious MP pollution in farmland, while the diverse characteristics of MPs inferred multiple sources other than agricultural plastic film/net. The surface morphology and elemental composition of typical MPs were characterized, showing polymer-special weathering features and multiple chemical pollutants (such as Ti, Br, and Cu) on MPs. This work provided a comprehensive insight into MP pollution in agricultural soil, thus, to better understand MP potential environmental risk to soil system.
More Papers Like This
The Occurrence and Characteristics of Microplastic Pollution in the Agricultural Soils of Anhui Province, in Eastern China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in agricultural soils across Anhui Province, China, finding levels of 660–17,660 particles/kg dry soil, with fibers and films dominating and concentration influenced by geographic location and crop type. This widespread contamination of farmland soils raises concerns about microplastics entering food crops and eventually the human diet through vegetable and grain production.
Factors affecting the distribution of microplastics in soils of China
AI summary Read the abstract
Analyzing over 1,000 data points from 53 Chinese studies, researchers found highly heterogeneous microplastic distribution in soils, with highest concentrations near major rivers and monsoon-influenced agricultural regions, correlated with mulching film use, temperature, and precipitation. This regional mapping of microplastic abundance provides a framework for identifying human health exposure hotspots where soil microplastics can enter crops and food chains.
Microplastics in Agricultural Soils
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed what is known about microplastic contamination in agricultural soils, noting that despite hundreds of millions of tonnes of plastic entering the environment annually, very little is understood about how microplastics persist, migrate, and affect soil ecosystems. This knowledge gap is concerning given that contaminated soil directly affects food crops consumed by humans.
Pollution Characteristics and Risk of Microplastics in Soils Related with Land-Use Type
AI summary Read the abstract
A survey of agricultural, industrial, and transportation soils found microplastics in 100% of samples, with agricultural land showing the highest concentrations up to 5,600 particles per kilogram, driven largely by plastic mulch films. Industrial and agricultural areas also posed the greatest ecological risk, highlighting the need for land-use-specific strategies to address microplastic contamination.
Occurrence, sources, and relationships of soil microplastics with adsorbed heavy metals in the Ebinur Lake Basin, Northwest China
AI summary Read the abstract
In the arid Ebinur Lake Basin of northwest China, soil microplastic concentrations averaged 36 mg/kg, dominated by film-shaped PET and PP particles from industrial, agricultural, and domestic sources, with heavy metals co-occurring on their surfaces. The finding that microplastics serve as carriers for heavy metals in agricultural soils raises compounded contamination risks for crops, groundwater, and human health in water-scarce regions.
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.