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Agricultural plastic films reshape soil microplastic distribution, nitrogen cycle and ecological risks in facility agriculture
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Researchers compared microplastic characteristics in protected agriculture systems and traditional farmland soils in China, finding significantly higher microplastic abundance in mulched farmland and documenting correlations between microplastic presence and altered soil nitrogen cycling and heavy metal distribution.
Microplastic pollution in protected agriculture is intensifying due to excessive plastic film usage. However, little is known concerning how different protected agriculture practices reshape residual characteristics of microplastics, and their coupling with soil physicochemical factors and heavy metals remains unclear. This study conducted a comparative analysis of microplastic features in typical protected agriculture systems and traditional farmland soils, examining their relationships with soil physicochemical factors and heavy metals. Results revealed that the abundance of microplastics in mulched farmland (MF) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that in traditional farmland (TF), and greenhouse (GH), suggesting that plastic mulch, rather than greenhouse film, significantly increases the abundance of soil-residual microplastics. Dominant microplastic forms were films and fragments < 1 mm (84.25 %, with 62.66 % <0.5 mm), primarily polyethylene (PE, 36.8 %) and polypropylene (PP, 18.9 %), appearing mainly in black (45 %), brown (18.5 %), and transparent (18 %) colors. Microplastic distribution was significantly influenced by nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, and chromium. Moreover, the abundance of genes associated with nitrogen fixation was significantly greater in the plastisphere than in the soil, with Cyanobacteriota being the major contributor. Ecological risk assessments showed GH posed the highest risks, followed by the TF, with the MF exhibiting the lowest risk levels. These findings enhance understanding of microplastic behavior in agricultural systems and provide scientific evidence for managing agricultural nonpoint source pollution, supporting the development of targeted mitigation strategies.
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Occurrence and characteristics of microplastics in soils from greenhouse and open-field cultivation using plastic mulch film
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in agricultural soils across three regions in China, comparing greenhouse and open-field cultivation that uses plastic mulch film. They found that microplastic abundance varied significantly by region and that the type of mulching practice accounted for over 34% of the variation in microplastic composition. The study provides important baseline data on how plastic film use in farming contributes to soil microplastic pollution.
Effects of plastic mulching on the accumulation and distribution of macro and micro plastics in soils of two farming systems in Northwest China.
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This study investigated how plastic mulching practices in Northwest China affect the accumulation and soil distribution of macro and microplastics in agricultural fields. Plastic fragments from degraded mulch films were found throughout the soil profile, with farming system and management practices influencing the extent of plastic contamination.
Exploring the Occurrence Characteristics of Microplastics in Typical Maize Farmland Soils With Long-Term Plastic Film Mulching in Northern China
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A survey of 225 soil samples from maize farmland with long-term plastic film mulching in northern China found widespread microplastic contamination, with abundance, distribution, and polymer composition reflecting the history of film use and agricultural management practices.
[Distribution Characteristics and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Farmland Soil in Guyuan].
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Researchers analyzed microplastic distribution in agricultural soils in Guyuan City, China, finding concentrations ranging from 186 to 1,286 particles per kg, with greenhouse farming soils containing 35–229% more microplastics than open fields and PE and PP being the dominant polymer types. The findings raise concern for food chain contamination and demonstrate that plastic mulch film use in facility agriculture significantly increases soil microplastic accumulation.
Distinct microplastic distributions in soils of different land-use types: A case study of Chinese farmlands
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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.
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