We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Agricultural Plastic Mulching as a Source of Microplastics in the Terrestrial Conditions
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how agricultural plastic mulching — widely used to boost crop yields and conserve water — degrades and releases microplastics into surrounding terrestrial environments. Agricultural plastics represent a largely underappreciated but massive source of soil microplastic contamination, with direct implications for food crop safety and the long-term health of farmland ecosystems.
The use of plastics in agriculture has been intensified due to the associated benefits in diverse aspects such as crop yield, water saving and protection against weeds or plagues. Although there is a long list of plastic elements used in agriculture, their main use...
More Papers Like This
Mulches and Microplastic Pollution in the Agroecosystem
AI summary Read the abstract
Plastic polyethylene mulch films used in agriculture fragment over time into microplastics that accumulate in soil, contaminating agroecosystems and potentially entering the food supply through crop uptake and irrigation water. As plastic mulch use grows globally, so does the agricultural contribution to microplastic pollution and human dietary exposure.
Distribution of microplastics in soil aggregates after film mulching
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that microplastics from agricultural plastic film mulching preferentially accumulate in small soil aggregates, with fiber- and film-shaped particles dominating after long-term use, suggesting that monitoring microplastic distribution in soil aggregates can serve as a practical indicator of soil health degradation.
Microplastics in the Terrestrial Environment
AI summary Read the abstract
This book synthesizes current research and knowledge gaps regarding microplastic impacts across terrestrial ecosystems, including soils, plants, and land-dwelling organisms. Compiling terrestrial microplastic research is essential as land environments receive far more microplastic input than oceans yet remain comparatively understudied, particularly regarding food crop contamination and soil ecosystem disruption.
Commonly Used Disposable Plastic Bags as a Source of Microplastic in Environment
AI summary Read the abstract
Disposable plastic bags degrade over time into microplastic particles, contributing substantially to environmental microplastic contamination even as policy measures attempt to curb their use. Understanding plastic bags as a diffuse secondary microplastic source underscores the need for stricter material bans rather than mere reduction incentives.
Hazards of Microplastic Pollution in Agriculture
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examined the sources and hazards of microplastic pollution in agricultural settings, including plastic mulch degradation, sewage sludge application, and plastic packaging, and their effects on soil health and crop systems. Agricultural microplastic exposure is especially significant for human health because it creates a direct farm-to-table contamination pathway, with particles and leached chemicals potentially present in vegetables, grains, and livestock products.
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.