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Microplastic pollution in vegetable farmlands of suburb Wuhan, central China
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Researchers surveyed vegetable farmlands in suburban Wuhan for microplastic contamination, finding 320–12,560 items/kg with highest concentrations near suburban roads, over 70% of particles smaller than 0.2 mm, and polyamide and polypropylene as dominant polymers. The study documents widespread farmland soil contamination in central China and highlights roads as a significant microplastic source.
Microplastic pollution has become an emergency issue in the global environment. However, little is known about the occurrence and distribution of microplastics in agroecological system. In this study, we investigated the pollution of microplastics in vegetable farmlands in suburb of Wuhan, central China. Results showed that the abundance of microplastics ranged from 320 to 12,560 items/kg Microplastic pollution adjacent to the suburban roads was about 1.8 times as serious as that in the residential areas. Microplastics with size less than 0.2 mm were dominated, reaching 70% in total. The main types of microplastics were fibers and microbeads. Moreover, polyamide (32.5%) and polypropylene (28.8%) were the main types of polymer. This study proclaims the occurrence and characteristics of microplastic pollution in typical farmland soils of suburb land. It may provide significant basis for subsequent research about microplastics contaminant in the terrestrial ecosystem.
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Microplastic and mesoplastic pollution in farmland soils in suburbs of Shanghai, China
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Vegetable farmland soils from 20 sites in Shanghai suburbs were analyzed for micro- and mesoplastics, finding microplastic concentrations of 78 items/kg in shallow (0–3 cm) and 62.5 items/kg in deep (3–6 cm) soils, and identifying PE and PP as dominant polymers. The study documents microplastic contamination in peri-urban farmland soils surrounding one of China's most densely populated cities.
Microplastic pollution in urban green-belt soil in Shihezi City, China
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Researchers found microplastic concentrations ranging from 287 to 3,227 particles per kilogram in urban green-belt soils in Shihezi City, China, with fibers dominating and polystyrene and polyethylene as the primary polymer types, pointing to atmospheric deposition and road runoff as key sources.
Potential sources and occurrence of macro-plastics and microplastics pollution in farmland soils: A typical case of China
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This study provides the first comprehensive survey of plastic pollution in Chinese farmland soil, analyzing data from 163 publications covering 728 sites. The average microplastic abundance was 4,537 particles per kilogram of dry soil, with agricultural plastic films and organic waste being the biggest sources. Since China is the world's largest user of agricultural plastics, these findings highlight how farming practices can lead to significant microplastic contamination of the soil that grows our food.
[Characteristics of Microplastic Present in Urban Road Dust].
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Researchers characterized microplastic pollution in urban road dust from Ma'anshan City, China, finding abundances of 223 particles/kg with polypropylene (58.9%) and polyethylene (30.1%) dominant, and commercial areas showing the highest contamination levels.
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in soils with different agricultural practices: Importance of sources with internal origin and environmental fate
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Microplastic abundance and characteristics were examined in soils representing four agricultural practice types in Chinese farmland to evaluate the influence of land use on plastic particle accumulation. Microplastic concentrations and polymer types varied by agricultural practice, with plastic mulch film use and irrigation water source as key drivers of farmland soil contamination.
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.