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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Rainfall-induced microplastic fate and transport in unsaturated Dutch soils
ClearA dual-pathway modeling framework for rainfall-driven transport of microplastics in soil-water systems
This study tracked how three common types of microplastic — polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET — move through sandy soil during simulated rainfall events, finding that rainfall intensity and plastic type both strongly govern where particles end up. Intense, short bursts of rain transport fewer microplastics both horizontally and vertically than the same total volume of gentler rain, while PET sticks to shallow soil layers and polypropylene travels furthest horizontally due to its buoyancy. The researchers developed mathematical models to predict microplastic movement, which could help inform strategies for intercepting contamination before it reaches groundwater or waterways.
Simulating microplastic transport in unsaturated soil using HYDRUS-1D
Researchers used computer modeling to simulate how microplastics move through agricultural soil under different rainfall intensities and soil types, finding that sandy soils and higher rainfall cause microplastics to travel deeper and reach groundwater more quickly. The models showed that plastic type also matters — low-density polyethylene was the most mobile, raising concerns about microplastic leaching into water supplies from farming fields.
Microplastic polymer type impacts water infiltration and its own transport in soil
Researchers conducted laboratory soil column experiments to examine how microplastic polymer type affects both water infiltration rates and the transport of the plastic particles themselves through soil, testing the two most commonly used agricultural microplastic types under controlled hydrological conditions. The study found that polymer type significantly influenced both water flow dynamics and microplastic mobility in soil, with important implications for predicting plastic fate in agricultural and natural terrestrial ecosystems.
Understanding microplastic transport and retention in soil: insights from laboratory and field studies
This study combined laboratory column experiments and field observations to characterize how polyethylene, PBAT, and starch-based biodegradable microplastics move through sandy loam and loamy sand soils under different hydrological conditions. Transport distance and retention depth varied significantly by polymer type and soil texture, with rainfall intensity being a key driver of vertical microplastic migration.
Exploring the vertical transport of microplastics in subsurface environments: Lab-scale experiments and field evidence
Researchers investigated how microplastics move downward through soil using laboratory column experiments and field sampling of groundwater. They found that heavier rainfall, smaller particle size, and fiber-shaped microplastics all increased vertical transport through unsaturated soil. Field samples confirmed the presence of microplastics in both soil layers and groundwater, suggesting that surface plastic pollution can migrate into underground water supplies.
The Transport of Microplastics from Soil in Response to Surface Runoff and Splash Erosion
Using high-frequency photography and fluorescent particles during rainfall simulations, researchers tracked how different types of microplastics move across soil surfaces in real time. All tested microplastic types moved faster than natural sand particles during rainfall, with surface runoff being the primary transport mechanism. The findings suggest that rain events can efficiently wash microplastics from agricultural and urban soils into nearby waterways.
Rainfall-induced lateral and vertical microplastic transport of varying sizes in agricultural fields
Rainfall simulation experiments tracked polyethylene microplastics of three size ranges (53–500 µm) on agricultural soil plots, finding that smaller particles were transported farther laterally in surface runoff and penetrated deeper into soil profiles, highlighting size-dependent microplastic mobility under rainfall conditions.
Interactions between water flow and microplastics in silt loam and loamy sand
Researchers found that increasing microplastic content (1-7% w/w) in both silt loam and loamy sand soils enhanced water infiltration rates, driving microplastic particles deeper into the soil profile. The study reveals a feedback mechanism where microplastics alter the very water flow patterns responsible for their own transport and distribution.
Understanding the overland transport of microplastics from agricultural soils to freshwater systems
This study investigated how microplastics move from agricultural soils to freshwater systems through surface runoff. Researchers found that rainfall intensity, soil type, and particle characteristics all influenced how much plastic reached waterways. Understanding the overland transport pathway is important because agricultural soils are one of the largest reservoirs of microplastics in terrestrial environments.
Size/shape-dependent migration of microplastics in agricultural soil under simulative and natural rainfall
Researchers found that microplastic migration in agricultural soil under rainfall depends on particle size and shape, with smaller particles moving deeper and rainfall intensity significantly influencing vertical transport patterns in soil profiles.
Horizontal transport of macro- and microplastics on soil surface by rainfall induced surface runoff as affected by vegetations
Researchers investigated how rainfall-induced surface runoff transports macro- and microplastics across soil surfaces, finding that vegetation cover significantly reduces plastic transport while plastic size, density, and rainfall intensity also influence horizontal movement.
Subsurface transport of microplastic particles in gravel columns: Impacts of different rain events and particle characteristics
Researchers conducted column experiments using pre-stained microplastic particles of two density types in gravel sediment to investigate how different rainfall intensities and land-use scenarios influence the vertical transport and retention of microplastics in subsurface environments. The study found that both particle density and rainfall event characteristics significantly affected microplastic mobility through subsurface sediments, informing models of microplastic fate in soil-water systems.
Horizontal and vertical mobilisation of microplastics in agricultural soils: run-off and infiltration experiments
Researchers measured the horizontal runoff and vertical leaching of microplastics from agricultural mulching films in field plots, quantifying transport under simulated rainfall. Both transport pathways were significant, with particle size and soil properties influencing how far microplastics moved from their source.
Microplastic polymer type impacts water infiltration and its own transport in soil
Researchers examined how different types of microplastics move through soil and affect water infiltration. They found that polypropylene, being more hydrophobic, impeded water flow more strongly than polyethylene terephthalate, while PET was more mobile in the soil column. The study suggests that a microplastic's surface properties and density play key roles in determining both how it travels through soil and how much it disrupts water movement.
Microplastics undergo accelerated vertical migration in sand soil due to small size and wet-dry cycles
Polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics of varying sizes were tracked through sand soil columns under repeated wet-dry cycles, finding that the smallest particles (21 μm PE) migrated deepest and that migration depth increased linearly with the number of wet-dry cycles. The study reveals that small microplastics can penetrate much deeper into soil profiles than larger particles, raising concern about groundwater contamination.
Horizontal transport characteristics of microplastics under simulated hydrodynamic conditions
Researchers systematically investigated the horizontal transport of microplastics across soil surfaces under simulated hydrodynamic conditions using 1 µm polystyrene particles and quartz sand. The study identified surface runoff scouring as a key pathway by which microplastics are mobilized and distributed laterally through terrestrial environments.
Behaviour and transport of microplastics under saturated flow conditions in sediments and soils
Researchers investigated the behaviour and transport of microplastics under saturated flow conditions in sediments and soils, examining how particle properties influence movement through porous media. The study aimed to improve understanding of subsurface microplastic fate and transport relevant to both soil and groundwater contamination.
Dispersion and transport of microplastics in three water-saturated coastal soils
Transport of three sizes of microplastics (0.3, 0.5, and 1 micrometer) through three water-saturated coastal soils was compared, finding that soil properties including organic matter content and ionic composition strongly influenced microplastic mobility and dispersion.
How soil moisture and flow regime drive microplastic transport in the vadose zone: insight from modelling and column experiments
Scientists studied how tiny plastic particles move through soil toward underground water sources that we use for drinking water. They found that plastic particles travel very differently depending on how wet or dry the soil is - sometimes getting trapped, other times moving quickly through the ground. This research helps us better understand how microplastics might contaminate our groundwater supplies, which is important for protecting drinking water quality.
Rainfall-Induced Transport of Microplastics in Soils Depends on Soil Pore Structure
Scientists studied how tiny plastic particles move through real soil when it rains, finding that the soil's natural pore structure (like tiny tunnels and holes) determines how deep and fast the plastics travel. This research helps us better understand how microplastics spread through farmland soil, which is important because these plastics could eventually end up in our food and water supply. Understanding this movement is a key step toward predicting long-term health risks from microplastic contamination.
Vertical migration of microplastics in porous media: Multiple controlling factors under wet-dry cycling
Researchers studied how microplastics move vertically through sandy soil during cycles of wetting and drying, testing four common plastic types at various particle sizes. They found that smaller, more hydrophobic particles migrated deeper, and that frequent wet-dry cycles and the presence of dissolved organic matter accelerated downward movement. The findings suggest that microplastics in agricultural soils could potentially reach groundwater, posing risks to underground water quality.
Concentration‐ and Size‐Dependent Influences of Microplastics on Soil Hydraulic Properties and Water Flow
Researchers investigated how microplastic concentration and particle size affect soil hydraulic properties and water flow. They found that microplastic contamination reduced saturated conductivity by up to 50% and inhibited water infiltration, with higher concentrations and larger particle sizes leading to weaker soil water-holding capacity.
Saturated hydraulic conductivity in microplastics incorporated soils: Effects of soil texture, polymer type, particle size, and concentration
Researchers measured saturated hydraulic conductivity in loam and sandy loam soils amended with PET, PVC, and PE microplastics of two size classes, finding that PET particles in sandy loam produced the highest conductivity values and that polymer hydrophobicity and particle size both influence soil water flow.
Experimental study on the transport processes of different types of microplastics in rainfall runoff over urban road surface
Researchers investigated the transport of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polypropylene microplastics in urban road runoff under varying rainfall intensities and slopes using simulated rainfall experiments. They found that rainfall intensity and slope significantly influence microplastic mobilization and entry into downstream water bodies.