We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Distribution of microplastics in mulched soil in Xinjiang, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastic distribution in plastic-mulched farmland soils in Xinjiang, China, finding that plastic particles concentrate in the top soil layer where mulch films fragment. The dominant polymer found was polyethylene, consistent with the plastic mulch films widely used in agriculture across the region.
In order to study the distribution of soil microplastics in the plastic film mulched farmland, the fluidization-centrifugation secondary density flotation method was optimized and improved to obtain the samples. The main components of microplastics were analyzed by Fourier spectrometer, and the surface morphology, porosity, particle size and abundance distribution characteristics of microplastics were studied by electron microscopy. The results showed that plastic mulch is the main source of microplastics. Its morphology mainly consists of fragments, fibers and particles. The size of debris microplastics was larger, with an average of 1.6300 mm, mainly distributed in the 0-300 mm cultivation layer while the size of particle micro plastic was smaller, with an average of 0.1400 mm. The width of fiber microplastic was 5-20 μm, but the length could reach 0.2000-2.0000 mm, with an average particle size of 0.9200 mm. Fiber and granular microplastics could be seen in each soil layer. The surface layer of microplastics has a large number of pores characterized with a length of 50 μm and a width of about 5-10 μm, which might be an easy oxidation site for microplastics. This oxidation is continuous, making microplastics continuously decompose into smaller particles. The abundance of microplastics is negatively correlated with soil depth. The average abundance of microplastics is 161.50±5.20 pieces/100 g in 0-300 mm soil layer, which is their main enrichment area. However, the average abundance of microplastics decreases to 11.20±1.10 pieces/100 g in 400-800 mm soil depth. Moreover, the average particle size of microplastics is also linearly negatively correlated with soil depth. Microplastics with smaller particle size are easier to migrate as they pass through soil pores under the action of water and fertilizer. The research can provide s reference for understanding plastic mulch pollution. Keywords: soil microplastics, plastic pollution, distribution, composition DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20211402.6165 Citation: Hu C, Lu B, Guo W S, Tang X Y, Wang X F, Xue Y H, et al. Distribution of microplastics in mulched soil in Xinjiang, China. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2021; 14(2): 196–204.
More Papers Like This
Cropland Microplastics in Xinjiang: Unveiling Distribution and Impact of Mulching Film Residues
AI summary Read the abstract
This study assessed microplastic distribution and the contribution of agricultural mulching film residues across croplands in Xinjiang, China, finding widespread polyethylene microplastic contamination that correlates with mulch film use intensity and poses risks to soil health and food safety.
Occurrence characteristics, source analysis, and risk assessment of microplastics in agricultural soils: A case study on Shihezi Reclamation Area, Xinjiang, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastic occurrence was characterized in agricultural soils of the Shihezi Reclamation Area, Xinjiang — a region with decades of plastic film mulching — finding high-density PE and PP fragments as dominant types, with mulch film degradation as the primary source.
Microplastic Accumulation in Agricultural Soils with Different Mulching Histories in Xinjiang, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that microplastic accumulation in agricultural soils of Xinjiang, China increases significantly with mulching history, with fields mulched for over 20 years containing substantially more microplastics across all soil layers.
Distribution of microplastics in mulched soil in Xinjiang, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied microplastic distribution in plastic film mulched farmland soils in Xinjiang, China, using an optimised fluidization-centrifugation density flotation method, finding that plastic mulch was the dominant source of soil microplastics and characterising their morphology, size distribution, and polymer composition by Fourier spectroscopy and electron microscopy.
Occurrence status of microplastics in main agricultural areas of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Agricultural soils in Xinjiang, China, were surveyed for microplastic contamination, revealing widespread presence in major farming regions where plastic mulch films and irrigation systems are heavily used. The study provides one of the first regional-scale assessments of microplastic pollution in this important agricultural area.
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.