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Advances in researches of the mulch-film degradation and the underlying mechanism.
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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.
Mulch-filmaccounted for more than half of plastic film used in Chinese agriculture. The wide utilization of mulch-film brings great economic value but also causes "white pollution". The residual film is difficult to be recycled and degraded, which directly affects soil regeneration. We introduced the current status of the plastic film usage in China and reviwed the research progress in its degradation. The biological and non-biological pathways and mechanisms of mulch-film degradation were summarized, with particular focus on the polyolefin degradation with synergistic effect of photocatalysis, metal ion doping as well as the impacts of different sources of bacteria and enzymes on the degradation efficiency of polyolefins. The more efficient degradation methods of plastic film are prospected. This review would provide reference for the further studies of plastic film degradation and microplastic degradation.
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This systematic review examines how plastic mulch films used in agriculture break down over time and release microplastics into farm soil. The films improve crop growth but create lasting environmental damage as plastic fragments accumulate and alter soil properties. The findings underscore the importance of developing truly biodegradable alternatives to protect farmland from microplastic pollution.
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This field study tracked the physical disintegration of biodegradable mulch films in agricultural soil over time, monitoring how the films fragment and whether they fully disappear. Understanding the fragmentation and fate of agricultural plastic films in soil is important because these films are a significant source of microplastic contamination of farmland.
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This review examines how plastic mulch films used in agriculture break down into polyethylene microplastics and what happens to them in farm ecosystems. Researchers describe how microorganisms colonize these particles and can eventually break down the plastic molecules, but also how the microplastics alter soil microbial communities and nutrient cycling. The study highlights plastic mulching as a major source of microplastic contamination in agricultural soils worldwide.
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.