Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

[Distribution and Sources of Microplastics in Farmland Soil Along the Fenhe River].

This study investigated the distribution and sources of microplastics in farmland soil along the Fenhe River in China, finding widespread contamination from agricultural plastic films and other sources. The results highlight how agricultural plastic use contributes directly to microplastic buildup in food-producing soils.

2021 PubMed 9 citations
Article Tier 2

[Microplastic Pollution Status and Ecological Risk Evaluation in Weihe River].

This Chinese study characterized microplastic abundance, shapes, sizes, colors, and polymer types in the Weihe River in northwest China. The findings document significant microplastic contamination in a major regional river that drains one of China's most densely populated agricultural areas, raising concerns about both ecosystem and human health.

2023 PubMed 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution, sources and multi-dimensional environmental risk assessment of microplastics in soils and groundwater along the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow river

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in both soil and groundwater along the middle and lower reaches of China's Yellow River. They found soil concentrations ranging from 426 to over 3,000 particles per kilogram, with fibers being the dominant shape in both soil and groundwater. A novel risk assessment approach revealed that while soil contamination was mostly moderate, nearly a quarter of groundwater samples reached high-risk levels.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization of microplastics and the association of heavy metals with microplastics in suburban soil of central China

Microplastics in suburban soils of central China were characterized across three land-use types, with woodland containing the highest concentrations (4.1×10³ particles/kg) and 81.7% of particles under 100 μm, while XRF analysis confirmed heavy metals were enriched on plastic surfaces compared to surrounding soil. The study confirms that smaller microplastics are the dominant form and can act as carriers for heavy metal contamination in urban-adjacent soils.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 572 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution, Environmental Risk Assessment, and Key Drivers of Microplastics in Farmland Soils Across Agricultural Zones in China

Researchers mapped the distribution and environmental risk of microplastics across a study area while identifying the key drivers of spatial variation, including land use and proximity to pollution sources. The findings provide a framework for prioritizing cleanup and management efforts in microplastic-contaminated environments.

2025 Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial Distributions, Compositional Profiles, Potential Sources, and Intfluencing Factors of Microplastics in Soils from Different Agricultural Farmlands in China: A National Perspective

Researchers conducted a nationwide survey of microplastics in Chinese agricultural soils, collecting 477 samples from 109 cities across 31 regions, and identified spatial distribution patterns and key factors influencing farmland microplastic contamination.

2022 Environmental Science & Technology 130 citations
Article Tier 2

[Occurrence Characteristics and Ecological Risk Assessment of Soil Microplastics in Xinxiang Section of Weihe River Basin].

Researchers collected soil samples from multiple soil types and layers in the Xinxiang section of the Weihe River Basin and used laser direct infrared chemical imaging to identify microplastics, finding polyurethane (17.57%) and polyethylene (15.97%) as dominant polymer types, with ecological risk assessed using polymer risk index and pollution load index.

2025 PubMed
Article Tier 2

[Occurrence Relationship Between Microplastics and Heavy Metals Pollutants in the Estuarine Sediments of Poyang Lake and the Yangtze River].

This study analyzed microplastic and heavy metal concentrations in sediments at the junction of Poyang Lake and the Yangtze River in China, finding substantial microplastic abundance (averaging ~982 particles/kg) that correlated with levels of copper, cadmium, lead, zinc, and chromium. The co-occurrence of these pollutants raises concern that microplastics and heavy metals may compound each other's environmental risks in this region.

2020 PubMed 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics of Microplastic Pollution in Agricultural Soils in Xiangtan, China

Researchers characterized microplastic pollution in agricultural soils in Xiangtan, China, finding an average abundance of over 4,300 particles per kilogram of soil. The study found that rice paddies and vegetable fields contained different microplastic profiles, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common types, pointing to mulch film and irrigation water as likely sources.

2024 Sustainability 11 citations
Article Tier 2

[Distribution Characteristics and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Farmland Soil in Guyuan].

Researchers analyzed microplastic distribution in agricultural soils in Guyuan City, China, finding concentrations ranging from 186 to 1,286 particles per kg, with greenhouse farming soils containing 35–229% more microplastics than open fields and PE and PP being the dominant polymer types. The findings raise concern for food chain contamination and demonstrate that plastic mulch film use in facility agriculture significantly increases soil microplastic accumulation.

2023 PubMed 2 citations
Article Tier 2

With spatial distribution, risk evaluation of heavy metals and microplastics to emphasize the composite mechanism in hyporheic sediments of Beiluo River

Researchers mapped heavy metal and microplastic contamination in river sediments in China, finding that cadmium, lead, and arsenic posed the highest contamination risk, while fiber-shaped microplastics under 500 micrometers were most common. Heavy metals were found concentrated on microplastic surfaces through electrostatic attraction and bacterial biofilms, meaning the plastics serve as carriers for toxic metals in the water. This combined pollution is concerning because river sediments can release contaminants into water used for drinking and agriculture.

2023 Journal of Hazardous Materials 55 citations
Article Tier 2

Potential sources and occurrence of macro-plastics and microplastics pollution in farmland soils: A typical case of China

This review examines plastic pollution in Chinese farmland soils, finding that agricultural practices like mulch film use and sewage sludge application are major sources of both macro- and microplastics that accumulate over time.

2023 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Status, characteristics, and ecological risks of microplastics in farmland surface soils cultivated with different crops across mainland China

Researchers conducted a nationwide survey of microplastics in farmland soils across mainland China, covering over 30 crop types in 109 cities. They found microplastics in all sampled soils, with concentrations varying by crop type, region, and farming practices such as plastic film mulching and irrigation methods. The study provides the most comprehensive picture to date of agricultural microplastic contamination in China and identifies the key farming practices that contribute most to soil pollution.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 28 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in soils with different agricultural practices: Importance of sources with internal origin and environmental fate

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.

2020 Journal of Hazardous Materials 282 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence characteristics and potential risk of microplastics under different land conditions

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution across different land types in northern China, including farmland, industrial areas, and restored land. Farmland soil had the highest microplastic concentrations, about twice that of industrial park soil, and over half of sampling sites showed moderate pollution levels. The study also found that longer periods of land restoration were associated with lower microplastic abundance.

2024 Environmental Pollution 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence, sources, and risks of microplastics in agricultural soils of Weishan Irrigation District in the lower reaches of the Yellow River, China

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in agricultural soils across the Weishan Irrigation District in China's Yellow River region, finding an average of 500 to 900 particles per kilogram of soil depending on land use type. Most particles were small films, fibers, and fragments, primarily made of polyethylene, likely originating from irrigation water, organic fertilizers, and plastic agricultural materials. The study found that assessing ecological risk based on specific microplastic characteristics revealed higher danger levels than looking at total particle counts alone.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic and mesoplastic pollution in farmland soils in suburbs of Shanghai, China

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.

2018 Environmental Pollution 1233 citations
Meta Analysis Tier 1

National-scale distribution of micro(meso)plastics in farmland soils across China: Implications for environmental impacts

Farmland soils across 30 sites in China contained an average of 358 microplastic items/kg, with concentrations higher in arid northern regions; meta-analysis showed that while current soil levels are generally below minimum effective concentrations for harming crops and soil enzymes, they are approaching those thresholds.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 152 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence, distribution and affecting factors of microplastics in agricultural soils along the lower reaches of Yangtze River, China

Researchers conducted a large-scale field survey of microplastics in agricultural soils along the lower Yangtze River, finding widespread contamination that correlated with proximity to plastic-mulching farmland and irrigation with treated wastewater.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 220 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence status of microplastics in main agricultural areas of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China

Agricultural soils in Xinjiang, China, were surveyed for microplastic contamination, revealing widespread presence in major farming regions where plastic mulch films and irrigation systems are heavily used. The study provides one of the first regional-scale assessments of microplastic pollution in this important agricultural area.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 55 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantification and characterization of microplastics in farmland soils of Jiangsu Province, East China

Microplastic abundance in farmland soils across six plots in Jiangsu Province, China ranged from 667 to 9333 items per kilogram, with agricultural management practices and proximity to urban areas identified as key factors influencing contamination levels.

2023 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 15 citations
Article Tier 2

The Source, Distribution Characteristics,and Migration Behavior of Microplastic Pollutionin Soil Environment in China: A Review

Researchers reviewed how microplastics enter Chinese soils — mainly through plastic mulch films, sewage irrigation, and fertilizer application — and how they migrate through soil layers while carrying other pollutants with them. The review highlights that China's intensive agricultural practices make its soils among the most microplastic-contaminated on Earth, with implications for food safety and groundwater quality.

2024 Polish Journal of Environmental Studies 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence, distribution, and characteristics of microplastics in agricultural soil around a solid waste treatment center in southeast China

Researchers found microplastic contamination in all agricultural soil samples surrounding a solid waste treatment center in southeastern China, with concentrations up to 2,360 particles per kilogram and evidence that weathered polyethylene and polypropylene particles are accumulating heavy metals on their surfaces.

2022 Journal of Soils and Sediments 29 citations
Meta Analysis Tier 1

[Meta-analysis of the Occurrence Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Microplastics in Agricultural Soil in China].

This meta-analysis pooled data from studies across China to assess microplastic pollution in agricultural soil. The research found that microplastic levels vary by region and are influenced by factors like temperature, precipitation, and farming practices. Since agricultural soil is where food crops grow, understanding microplastic contamination in farmland is directly relevant to food safety and human health.

2025 PubMed 3 citations