Plastic Mulch‐Derived Microplastics in Agricultural Soil Systems

Plastic mulch films are widely used in agricultural fields because of their multiple benefits; however, as a result of photodegradation, chemical degradation, and microbial processes, mulch films are likely to be broken down into smaller particles, forming microplastics (MPs). MPs influence soil properties, and chemical additives in plastic films are leached into agri-soils. Moreover, mulch MPs can influence the fate and behavior of anthropogenic chemicals, such as pesticides and chemical fertilizer residues, and other organic contaminants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. To overcome the drawbacks of persistence, biodegradable plastic mulches have been introduced. This chapter focuses on the generation and distribution of mulch MPs, their effects on soil properties, soil biota, leachability, and their impact on the behavior of chemicals in soil.