We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Distribution characteristics of microplastics in soil of Loess Plateau in northwest China and their relationship with land use type
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastic levels across different land use types on China's Loess Plateau and found an average abundance of nearly 3,000 particles per kilogram of soil. Construction land and cultivated areas had the highest concentrations, while grassland and woodland had lower levels. The study demonstrates that human land use patterns directly influence how much microplastic accumulates in soil across this important agricultural region.
The widespread distribution of microplastics (MPs) in soil has aroused great concern. The land use type can affect the distribution characteristics of MPs, whereas the abundance of MPs in the Loess Plateau region and the influence of different land use types on it are unclear. This study checked into the distribution of MPs in the Loess Plateau region, studied the abundance of MPs in woodland, construction land, grassland and cultivated land, and analyzed the distribution characteristics of their shape, size, and color. The abundance of MPs in the Loess Plateau region reached 2982.34 items/kg, dominated by black, small size and fragment MPs. The order of average abundance of MPs was: cultivated land (3535 items/kg) > construction land (2809 items/kg) > woodland (2781 items/kg) > grassland (2658 items/kg). Fragment MPs were predominant in woodland, construction land and cultivated land, but film and fiber MPs were predominant in grassland. MPs in cultivated land and construction land mainly sourced from human activities, MPs in woodland and grassland were more likely to come from atmospheric deposition. Human activities and sunlight exposure can cause MPs to break down, while trees in woodland block rays of light, slowing MPs breakage to some extent. And the polymer type of MPs was mostly PE and the main ones were black. This study may provide important data for follow-up research on MPs in terrestrial ecosystems.
More Papers Like This
[Abundances and Morphology Patterns of Microplastics Under Different Land Use Types on the Loess Plateau].
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the abundance and morphological patterns of microplastics across different land use types on the Loess Plateau in China, examining how agriculture, grassland, and other land uses shape microplastic accumulation in soils of this major agricultural production region.
Microplastics trapped in soil aggregates of different land-use types: A case study of Loess Plateau terraces, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastic abundance in soil aggregates from four land-use types on China's Loess Plateau, finding MPs trapped in aggregates across all land uses with farmland soils having the highest concentrations. Woodland soils had the lowest MP content and the most stable aggregate structure, suggesting land use substantially controls both MP accumulation and aggregate integrity.
Land-use patterns determine the distribution of soil microplastics in typical agricultural areas on the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that land-use patterns strongly determine microplastic distribution in agricultural soils on the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, with facility agriculture and farmland soils containing significantly higher microplastic abundance than grassland and orchard soils.
Distinct microplastic distributions in soils of different land-use types: A case study of Chinese farmlands
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastic distribution across six types of farmland land use was surveyed from soils in five Chinese provinces to determine how agricultural practices shape soil microplastic contamination. The study found that microplastic abundance varied significantly by land-use type, with plastic mulch film use and irrigation practices as key contributing factors.
Effects of soil properties and land use patterns on the distribution of microplastics: A case study in southwest China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in soils across different land use types in Guizhou Province, southwest China. The study found that soil properties and land use patterns significantly influence microplastic abundance and distribution, with agricultural and urban soils generally showing higher contamination levels than less intensively managed areas.
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.