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Microplastic pollution in vegetable farmlands of suburb Wuhan, central China
Summary
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.