We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics in agricultural drainage water: A link between terrestrial and aquatic microplastic pollution
AI summary Read the abstract
Agricultural drainage water was identified as a direct link between microplastic contamination in farmland soils and downstream aquatic systems, with drain tile water carrying significant loads of fragment and fiber-shaped microplastics from fields amended with sewage sludge or mulch films.
Microplastic (MP) contamination has been reported to be higher in terrestrial compared to aquatic environments. This is probably due to the fact that plastic items are mostly produced and used in terrestrial environments and have a longer residence time. However, there are several links between the terrestrial and aquatic environments. We analyzed drainage water samples from agricultural soils in the Seeland, a heavily drained agriculturally intensive area in Switzerland for its MP (>100 μm) concentration and composition. We found MP in relevant numbers (mean 10.5 ± 9.5 N L). The polymers were mainly PA and PE, and the size distribution showed an exponential increase with decreasing particle size. The results show considerable MP concentrations in drainage water and imply a transport of MP in soils down to the drainage pipes. Given the large areas drained both in Switzerland and globally, it is proposed that MP leaching from soil can be a significant source of MP to aquatic ecosystems. Such a contribution should be considered when dealing with MP cycling on a local to global scale.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic in Agricultural Tile Drainage and Stream Water During Periods of High and Low Flow
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in agricultural tile drainage water and nearby streams in the US Midwest during both high- and low-flow periods, finding microplastics in all samples. Tile drainage systems — used to manage water in agricultural fields — transported microplastics from farmland into streams. This study identifies agricultural drainage as an important pathway for microplastics to enter freshwater ecosystems from fields treated with plastic mulch or sewage sludge.
Fate of microplastics in agricultural soils amended with sewage sludge: Is surface water runoff a relevant environmental pathway?
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated whether surface water runoff transports microplastics from sewage sludge-amended agricultural soils to aquatic ecosystems in a semi-arid region of Spain, providing evidence that runoff is a relevant pathway for microplastic redistribution.
Are Agricultural Soils Dumps for Microplastics of Urban Origin?
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated whether agricultural soils serve as dumping grounds for urban-origin microplastics, finding evidence that sewage sludge application and atmospheric deposition deliver city-sourced plastics to farmland.
Tracing the Path: Fate and Transport of Microplastics from Aquatic Systems to Soils
AI summary Read the abstract
This article traces how microplastics travel from aquatic systems into soils, exploring the physical and chemical processes that govern their movement and ultimate fate in terrestrial environments. Understanding these transport pathways is essential because soil contamination by microplastics threatens agricultural productivity and creates another route for plastics to enter the human food supply.
Contribution of mulch film to microplastics in agricultural soil and surface water in China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a framework to quantify how much agricultural mulch film contributes to microplastic contamination in farmland soil and surface water in China, measuring the ratio of mulch-derived particles to total microplastics from all sources.
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.