Papers

Vertical distribution and multi-source pathways of microplastics in agricultural soils: A study of typical irrigation areas in the upper Yellow River basin

Researchers found that farmland soil in the upper Yellow River region contained significantly more microplastics than nearby forest or grassland, with plastics detected in all soil layers down to one meter deep. Flood-style irrigation pushed microplastics much deeper into the ground than drip irrigation, doubling contamination levels. This is concerning because microplastics migrating deep into agricultural soil could eventually reach groundwater that people depend on for drinking water.

A review of the migration mechanisms of microplastics in terrestrial environments

This review maps out how microplastics move through land-based environments via wind, water, gravity, and biological processes like animal ingestion and plant uptake. The paper categorizes movement mechanisms as physical, chemical, or biological, and identifies key factors like particle size and shape that determine where microplastics end up. Understanding these migration pathways is essential for predicting how microplastics in soil can reach water supplies and the food chain.

Microplastics and their interaction with microorganisms in Bosten Lake sediment

Researchers conducted the first study of microplastic contamination in the sediment of Bosten Lake in China, finding plastics throughout the lake with the highest levels near populated areas. The most common types were PET and polyethylene, primarily in fiber form. Certain bacteria associated with plastic breakdown were more abundant in heavily contaminated areas, but the presence of microplastics in this freshwater system raises concerns about their entry into the food chain.

Characterization and mechanism of action of bimetallic-modified MIL-101(Fe) magnetic composites for enhanced removal of polystyrene from water

Spatial distributions of macronutrients, heavy metals and microplastics in surface sediments of the mainstem and lakes in the middle part of the Yellow River Basin

Researchers mapped the distribution of macronutrients, heavy metals, and microplastics in sediments along the middle section of the Yellow River and adjacent lakes in China. They found that microplastic concentrations ranged from 233 to 3,333 items per kilogram in river sediments, with nylon as the dominant polymer type. Contamination levels increased significantly after the river flowed through intensive agricultural areas, with urban lakes showing the highest heavy metal concentrations.

Microplastics and their interaction with microorganisms in Bosten Lake water

Testing Biodegradable Films as Alternatives to Plastic-Film Mulching for Enhancing the Yield and Economic Benefits of Processed Tomato in Xinjiang Region

Biodegradable mulch films were tested against conventional plastic mulch in processed tomato fields in Xinjiang, China, with results showing comparable yields while substantially reducing plastic residue accumulation in soil.

Corrigendum to “Microplastics and their interaction with microorganisms in Bosten Lake Water” [J. Clean. Prod. 481 (2024) 144157]