We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Application of catastrophe theory in comprehensive ecological security assessment of plastic greenhouse soil contaminated by phthalate esters
Summary
This study assessed the ecological risk from phthalate plasticizers contaminating greenhouse soil in China, finding elevated contamination in areas with heavy plastic film use in agriculture. Phthalates from agricultural plastic films build up in soil and pose risks to soil organisms and crops.
Large amount of phthalate esters (PAEs) used as plasticizers in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products has caused ubiquitous contamination to the environment and potential ecology security risk all around the world, especially in places plastic films were indispensably utilized due to the widely proposing of facility agriculture in China. A case of PAEs contamination in four suburb areas of Nanjing was analyzed and discussed in this study. A new frame work has been put forward based on multi-criteria evaluation model and mathematical method of catastrophe theory, using farming work, laboratory determination and relevant environmental standards to measure the ecology security risk of PAEs in study areas. The factors were selected based on the availability of the data and the local conditions. The assessment model involves the contamination status of PAEs in soil and vegetables, the contamination effects of PAEs to human and soil organisms and the contamination source of PAEs from plastic films and other products in the four study facility agriculture areas. An evaluation system of the model was composed of thirteen mesosphere indicators and twenty-five underlying indicators including total PAEs concentration in soils, single PAE concentration in soils, total PAEs concentrations in roots, leafy, solanaceous and stem vegetables, PAE human risks, soil microbial counts, microorganism diversity indices, atmospheric deposition of PAEs, whether sewage wastewater irrigation, planting mode of the facility agriculture areas and climate condition of study areas. The modified evaluation system was used in the assessment of ecology security of the same place based on the data of 2012, and the results suggested that the ecology security indicators were reliable and were agree well with the practical situation of the study areas. The results could provide guidance for the application of health risk assessment of soil environment for the strong objectivity of catastrophe theory compared with other evaluation methods.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Pollution characteristics and affecting factors of phthalate esters in agricultural soils in mainland China
Scientists tested farmland soil samples from across China and found phthalate plasticizers (chemicals added to make plastics flexible) in 100% of samples, with the highest levels in greenhouse soils. The concentrations correlated with microplastic levels and plastic mulch film use, and some samples exceeded safety thresholds for agricultural soil. These chemicals can transfer from soil to crops and pose health risks including hormone disruption, making this a food safety concern for the large populations that depend on Chinese agriculture.
Occurrence and health risk assessment of phthalate ester pollution in mulched farmland soil at a national scale, China
Researchers analyzed farmland soils across 29 Chinese provinces and found widespread phthalate ester contamination linked to plastic mulching films, with di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate posing carcinogenic risks exceeding safety thresholds in over 11% of samples, pointing to inadequate current regulations on agricultural plastic use.
Phthalate ester levels in agricultural soils of greenhouses, their potential sources, the role of plastic cover material, and dietary exposure calculated from modeled concentrations in tomato
Researchers measured phthalate plasticizer concentrations in soils across 50 greenhouses and modeled dietary exposure through tomatoes, finding that plastic cover materials and irrigation pipes are the dominant sources of soil phthalate contamination and that DEHP in greenhouse-grown tomatoes poses a measurable carcinogenic risk.
Accumulation of soil microplastics and phthalate esters in nine typical Chinese croplands using plastic mulch film
Researchers conducted a harmonized analysis of microplastics and phthalate esters in agricultural soils from nine mulched crop regions across six Chinese provinces, finding microplastic abundances ranging from 2.4 million to higher concentrations in the 0–30 cm soil layer, with phthalate co-contamination.
Greenhouse farming as a source of macroplastic and microplastics contamination in agricultural soils: a case study from Southeast-Hungary
Researchers quantified macroplastic and microplastic contamination in greenhouse farmland soils in China, finding significant accumulation of polyethylene film fragments throughout the soil profile and in underlying groundwater, demonstrating that greenhouse agriculture is a substantial source of agricultural soil plastic pollution.