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A Review of Microplastic Contamination in Agriculture: Sources, Impacts, and Solutions
Summary
This review examines the sources, occurrence, and impacts of microplastic pollution in agriculture, including degradation of mulch films, contaminated sewage sludge, and polymer-coated agrochemicals. Researchers highlight evidence that crops can take up microplastics, creating a direct pathway for food chain contamination. The study calls for standardized analytical methods and a comprehensive mitigation strategy based on refusing, redesigning, reducing, reusing, recycling, and recovering agricultural plastics.
While plastics are fundamental to modern agriculture for enhancing productivity and resource efficiency, their extensive use has established the sector as a substantial contributor to microplastic (MP) pollution. Hence, the objective of this paper is to review the current understanding of microplastic pollution originating from agricultural activities, covering their sources, occurrence, and multifaceted impacts using appropriate standard procedures. The primary sources of these synthetic particles (<5 mm) are diverse, including the degradation of mulch films, the application of MP-laden sewage sludge (biosolids), contaminated irrigation water, and polymer coatings on agrochemicals. This accumulation poses significant risks, altering soil health and adversely affecting biota. Furthermore, evidence of MP uptake by crops signifies a direct pathway for food chain contamination, presenting poorly quantified risks to food safety and human health. Compounding this problem, current agricultural plastic waste management is inadequate, resulting in low recycling rates and continued environmental leakage. A comprehensive mitigation strategy, guided by the 6R model (Refuse, Redesign, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover), is essential. Future research must prioritize the standardization of analytical methods, robust long-term risk assessments, and the validation of sustainable solutions to ensure agricultural integrity.