Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

Impact assessment of microplastics in agricultural soils of the Euroregion Galicia and Minho: preliminary results

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in agricultural soils across the Euroregion Galicia-Norte de Portugal, identifying distribution patterns and potential impacts on soil health. Agricultural practices involving plastic mulching were identified as the primary local source of soil microplastic contamination.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Prevalence of microplastics in agricultural soils in southern Portugal

Researchers conducted the first survey of microplastic contamination in agricultural soils from southern Portugal, collecting samples across four land-use areas with different farming practices and characterizing polymer types and their associations with agricultural history in a Mediterranean system.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Prevalence of microplastics in agricultural soils in southern Portugal

Researchers conducted the first survey of microplastic contamination in agricultural soils from southern Portugal, collecting samples across four land-use areas with different farming practices and characterizing polymer types and their associations with agricultural history in a Mediterranean system.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Assessing microplastic pollution in horticultural soils under greenhouse cultivation in northern Portugal

Researchers characterized and quantified microplastic pollution in greenhouse horticultural soils in the Minho region of northern Portugal, sampling multiple greenhouses with varying crop types, plastic cover durations, and agricultural practices using stratified random sampling. The study assessed microplastic presence, distribution, and characteristics across sites to evaluate the environmental implications of intensive plastic use in greenhouse agriculture.

2025 RepositóriUM (Universidade do Minho)
Article Tier 2

Management of agricultural plastic waste in Portugal to prevent microplastics

Researchers examined the management of agricultural plastic waste in Portugal, assessing how mismanagement of plastics used in farming has led to soil contamination with microplastics and identifying practices that reduce plastic fragmentation and environmental release. The study found gaps between best practices and actual farm-level waste management that result in preventable plastic accumulation in agricultural soils.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Management of agricultural plastic waste in Portugal to prevent microplastics

This study assessed agricultural plastic waste management practices in Portugal and their role in generating soil micro- and nanoplastics. Poor management of plastic mulches and other agricultural films was identified as a significant and preventable source of persistent soil contamination.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Spatial and temporal variance of microplastics in agricultural soils

This study reviewed how microplastic concentrations in agricultural soils vary by location and over time across multiple European field sites. The findings highlight that farming practices are direct sources of soil plastic contamination, and that long-term monitoring is needed to understand accumulation trends and their effects on soil health.

2023
Article Tier 2

The spatial distribution of microplastics in topsoils of an urban environment - Coimbra city case-study

Researchers mapped microplastic contamination across urban soils in Coimbra, Portugal, comparing samples from parks, roadsides, and other land uses. They found microplastics in all soil samples, with higher concentrations in areas with more human activity and artificial surfaces. The study demonstrates that urban soils are significant reservoirs of microplastic pollution and that land use patterns strongly influence contamination levels.

2022 Environmental Research 89 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution pattern and risk assessment of microplastics contamination in different agricultural systems

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in agricultural soils across six sites in Coimbatore, India with distinct farming practices, finding microplastics in 81% of organic matter-removed samples. The study revealed that different agronomic inputs and land management practices produce distinct microplastic contamination profiles.

2024 International Journal of Environmental & Analytical Chemistry 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Soil contamination by microplastics in a small French agricultural watershed

Researchers characterized microplastic contamination in agricultural soils across a small French watershed, examining how various farming practices influence microplastic sources, distribution, and fate in soil environments outside of previously studied regions like China.

2025 Environmental Pollution
Article Tier 2

The extent and impacts of soil pollution by microplastics

This study examines the extent and impacts of soil pollution by microplastics, reviewing evidence of how microplastic particles accumulate in terrestrial environments and affect soil ecosystems, organisms, and agricultural systems.

2024 SPIRE - Sciences Po Institutional REpository
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

Macro and microplastics in the soil: abundance, characterization, identification, and interactions under different land uses in an agricultural sub-basin

Researchers examined the abundance, characterization, identification, and interactions of macro- and microplastics in soils under different land uses within an agricultural sub-basin, assessing how land-use patterns influence plastic pollution distribution and potential interactions with the soil environment.

2025 LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas)
Article Tier 2

Amount, distribution and composition of large microplastics in typical agricultural soils in Northern Germany

Researchers surveyed agricultural soils in Northern Germany for large microplastics and found contamination across all sampled fields, with polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common polymer types. Concentrations varied widely depending on farming practices, with fields receiving compost and sewage sludge showing higher contamination levels. The study provides important baseline data on microplastic pollution in European agricultural soils and identifies fertilization practices as a key contamination pathway.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 211 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantification and Analysis of Microplastics in Farmland Soils: Characterization, Sources, and Pathways

This study quantified and characterized microplastics in farmland soils from multiple sites, identifying agricultural mulch films, irrigation water, and compost as major sources and documenting widespread soil contamination across different farming regions.

2021 Agriculture 99 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of microplastic pollution on agricultural soil and crops based on a global meta‐analysis

This meta-analysis examined data from studies worldwide to assess how microplastic pollution affects agricultural soil and crops. Researchers found that microplastics can alter soil properties including enzyme activity and nutrient availability, with effects varying by plastic type, concentration, and size. The study suggests that microplastic contamination in farmland may affect both soil health and crop growth in ways that depend heavily on local conditions.

2023 Land Degradation and Development 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Tracking the source of microplastics in soil—an exploratory case study in peach orchards from east-central Portugal

Researchers tracked the sources and types of microplastics found in agricultural soil at peach orchards in east-central Portugal by analyzing soil, irrigation water, organic fertilizers, and atmospheric fallout. They identified microplastics from multiple entry points, including irrigation and soil amendments, with fibers and fragments being the most common shapes. The study demonstrates the need for a multi-source approach to understanding how microplastics accumulate in farmland.

2025 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic appraisal of soil, water, ditch sediment and airborne dust: The case of agricultural systems

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination across agricultural soils, water, airborne dust, and ditch sediments in farm settings with different management practices. They found 11 types of microplastics in soil, with the highest concentrations in fields using plastic mulch, and documented the spread of particles into nearby water bodies and air. The study reveals that both plastic mulch and compost application contribute to microplastic pollution in agricultural landscapes.

2022 Environmental Pollution 69 citations
Article Tier 2

A nationwide assessment of microplastic abundance in agricultural soils: The influence of plastic crop covers within the United Kingdom

A nationwide study of 108 agricultural sites across the United Kingdom found microplastics in all soil samples, with concentrations averaging 3,680 particles per kilogram. Fields where plastic crop covers were used had significantly higher microplastic levels than those without plastic covers. This study shows that common agricultural plastic use is a major source of soil microplastic contamination, which could ultimately affect crop quality and enter the food chain.

2023 Plants People Planet 51 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic background levels in German soils: The influence of site-specific characteristics and land-use practices

Scientists found tiny plastic particles in farm soils across Germany, with higher levels in grasslands than crop fields. While the amounts detected were generally low, this research shows that microplastics are spreading everywhere in our environment, including the soils where our food is grown. This matters because these plastic particles could potentially enter our food chain, though more research is needed to understand the full health effects.

2026