We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Fate of plastic film residues in agro-ecosystem and its effects on aggregate-associated soil carbon and nitrogen stocks
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied the fate of biodegradable and LDPE plastic film residues buried in agricultural soil over three years and found that biodegradable films did not meaningfully degrade under field conditions, both types altered soil aggregate structure and reduced carbon and nitrogen stocks compared to controls.
Biodegradable (Bio) plastic films are widely viewed as promising alternative products of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films to minimize plastic debris accumulation and pollution in agroecosystems. Yet, this speculation indeed lacks of sufficient evidences. We conducted a landfill investigation on the aging characteristics of Bio and LDPE plastic films in maize field, and the effects on soil aggregate composition and carbon & nitrogen stocks. The degradation rate of Bio film was up to 41.1% while that of LDPE film was zero. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that the crack formation of Bio film had a pronounced domino effect, and FTIR showed that old Bio film displayed an extra wide peak threshold ranging from 3000 to 3500 cm. Particularly, the abundance of microplastics was elevated with the increased plastic residues, and the increment mostly resulted from Bio residues. Critically, plastic residues significantly lowered the soil macro-aggregates (>0.25 mm) proportion, while increasing that of micro-aggregates (0.1-0.25 mm) in LDPE, and silt/clay fraction (<0.1 mm) in Bio respectively. They significantly promoted total nitrogen content of the aggregates with the same size, but decreased the organic carbon content, dramatically lowering the C/N. Therefore, we first identified the fate of plastic film residues in agroecosystems and revealed the serious deficiencies of Bio plastic film.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic incorporation into soil aggregates: Insights from two-year field experiments in European agricultural topsoils
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted two-year field experiments in European agricultural topsoils comparing microplastic incorporation into soil aggregates from biodegradable and conventional plastic mulch films, finding that soil properties and MP size and shape influence the degree of occlusion, with aggregate embedment potentially protecting MPs from further degradation.
Impact of plastic mulch film debris on soil physicochemical and hydrological properties
AI summary Read the abstract
This study compared low-density polyethylene and biodegradable plastic mulch films in agricultural soils, finding that both types left plastic residues that altered soil water infiltration, aggregate stability, and other physicochemical properties relevant to crop productivity.
Effect of different polymers of microplastics on soil organic carbon and nitrogen – A mesocosm experiment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that adding polyethylene and biodegradable microplastics to agricultural soil altered carbon and nitrogen dynamics, with biodegradable microplastics having stronger effects on soil organic carbon decomposition and nutrient cycling than conventional plastics.
Environmental fate and effects of mulch films on agricultural soil: A systematic review from application to residual impact
AI summary Read the abstract
This research investigated the biodegradation of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and related biodegradable polyesters under different environmental conditions, characterizing degradation rates and microbial communities involved. The study helps clarify under which environmental conditions certified biodegradable plastics actually degrade, informing labeling standards and end-of-life management.
Advances in researches of the mulch-film degradation and the underlying mechanism.
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how plastic mulch films degrade in agricultural soils, covering the physical, chemical, and biological processes involved. Researchers found that residual plastic fragments accumulate in soils over repeated growing seasons and may affect soil structure, water movement, and microbial communities.
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.