We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic characteristic in the soil across the Tibetan Plateau
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers systematically investigated microplastic pollution across the Tibetan Plateau, finding widespread contamination averaging 47 items per kilogram of soil, with fibers predominating and concentrations influenced by proximity to human activities.
Microplastics are widely detected in terrestrial environments. However, microplastic features in the soil of remote areas are still sparse. In this study, microplastic pollution in soil across the Tibetan Plateau was systematically investigated. The results revealed that microplastic was ubiquitous in the soil of the Tibetan Plateau with an average abundance of 47.12 items/kg-dry weight (range: 5-340 items/kg). Compared with the published data of soil microplastic pollution in other regions, the microplastic pollution in the Tibetan Plateau was relatively low. Fibers represented 43.54% of microplastic particles detected, followed by fragments (32.20%) and films (23.78%). They mainly consisted of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. Transparent and white microplastics were prevalent, and small microplastics (50-500 μm) occupied approximately 66% of all microplastics. High values of microplastics were found near Lhasa, Naqu, and Linzhi. Furthermore, microplastic pollution was found to be negatively related to the distance to the nearest city (p < 0.01), wind velocity (p = 0.014), altitude (p = 0.181), yet positively related to precipitation (p = 0.024). This work presents new insights into the magnitude of microplastics contamination in the soil across the Tibetan Plateau and supplies valuable data for future research on ecotoxicology, ecosystem impacts, and earth system feedback of microplastics on terrestrial ecosystems.
More Papers Like This
Analysis of microplastics in soils on the high-altitude area of the Tibetan Plateau: Multiple environmental factors
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in soils across different land use types on the high-altitude Tibetan Plateau, a remote and sparsely populated region. The study found that microplastic abundance varied with land use, altitude, meteorological conditions, and distance from roads, with greenhouse soils showing the highest concentrations, indicating that even remote high-altitude environments are not free from microplastic pollution.
Occurrence characteristics and ecological impact of agricultural soil microplastics in the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in agricultural soils on the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau in China, a remote area with low population density. They found microplastic concentrations ranging from about 17 to 950 particles per kilogram, with polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, and polyethylene being the most common types. The study suggests that facility-based agriculture significantly increases soil microplastic levels, and nearly half of the areas assessed showed relatively high polymer risk.
Pollution and Distribution of Microplastics in Grassland Soils of Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers collected and analyzed 22 grassland soil samples from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and found microplastics present in every sample, with an average abundance of 1,202 particles per kilogram. Polyethylene terephthalate was the dominant polymer type, and most particles were in the 10-50 micrometer size range. The findings demonstrate that microplastic contamination reaches even remote, high-altitude grassland environments far from major population centers.
Analysis of microplastics in a remote region of the Tibetan Plateau: Implications for natural environmental response to human activities
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in a remote region of the Tibetan Plateau and found plastic particles in surface water, sediment, and soil even in this sparsely populated area. Tourism was identified as the primary source of water contamination, while agriculture and historical industrial activity contributed to soil pollution. The study demonstrates that microplastic pollution from human activities extends even to some of the most remote environments on Earth.
The occurrence of microplastics in farmland and grassland soils in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau: Different land use and mulching time in facility agriculture
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in farmland and grassland soils on the remote Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China. The study found an average of about 50 microplastic particles per kilogram of soil, with plastic film and polyester being the most common types. Notably, longer use of plastic mulch in farming was linked to higher microplastic levels, suggesting that agricultural plastic use is a key source of soil contamination even in remote 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.