Papers

61,005 results
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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

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

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

Researchers assessed the impact of microplastic pollution on agricultural soils in the Euroregion Galicia-Norte Portugal, examining contamination levels across farmland as plastic use in agriculture intensifies globally. Microplastics were detected across sampled fields, with levels and types reflecting regional agricultural practices and plastic inputs.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
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

Mapping of Agricultural Plastics Pollution in Soil: case study of Italy, France and Norway

Researchers developed an atlas quantifying and localizing agricultural plastic waste in Italy, France, and Norway, finding that plastic mulch films and other agricultural plastics accumulate in soils and generate microplastic contamination that varies significantly by crop type, climate, and waste management practices.

2025 CINECA IRIS Institutional Research Information System (University of Bari Aldo Moro)
Article Tier 2

Environmental potential risk of microplastic pollution due to agricultural plastics: a case study in Apulia region

Researchers assessed the environmental risk of microplastic pollution from agricultural plastic waste in the Apulia region of Italy, examining how the breakdown of agricultural plastics at end-of-life contributes to soil and ecosystem contamination.

2025 CINECA IRIS Institutional Research Information System (University of Bari Aldo Moro)
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

Investigating the Agricultural Use and Disposal of Plastics in Malta

Researchers surveyed the use and disposal of agricultural plastics in Malta and found that the sector generates significant plastic waste with limited recycling infrastructure. Mulch films, greenhouse covers, and irrigation tubing were among the most common plastic products used, but many farmers lacked access to proper disposal channels. The study calls for better policies and waste collection systems to prevent agricultural plastics from contaminating farmland soils.

2024 Sustainability 4 citations
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

Dealing with Plastic Waste from Agriculture Activity

This review examines plastic waste generated by agricultural activities in Portugal and Europe — including mulch films, greenhouse covers, and irrigation tubing — and evaluates current recycling rates, contamination barriers, and strategies for improving plastic recovery from farming operations.

2022 Agronomy 24 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

Methodological Approach for Detecting Polypropylene Microplastics in Agricultural Soil in Southern Portugal

A methodological approach was developed specifically for detecting polypropylene microplastics, one of the most common plastics in the environment. Improved polypropylene-specific detection methods help fill a gap in monitoring programs, since this polymer can be challenging to identify with general-purpose techniques.

2025 Pollutants 1 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

Micro plastics mapping in the agricultural sector of Cyprus

Researchers mapped microplastic pollution across agricultural areas in Cyprus, identifying key hotspots and sources of contamination. They found that plastic mulch films, irrigation systems, and fertilizer applications were major contributors to microplastic accumulation in farmland soils. The study emphasizes the need for targeted policies to reduce plastic use in Mediterranean agriculture and protect both soil health and food safety.

2024 Journal of Environmental Management 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of Soil Microplastics and Their Relation to Soil and Terrain Attributes Under Different Land Uses

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in tropical soils under different land uses including forest, grassland, and agricultural areas. They found that agricultural soils had the highest microplastic concentrations, likely due to the use of plastic-based materials in farming. The study reveals how land use practices and soil characteristics influence the distribution and accumulation of microplastics in tropical environments.

2025 AgriEngineering 2 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

Microplastics pollution modulated by farming regimes under multi-scenarios

Microplastic concentrations in agricultural soils were found to vary with farming regimes, with certain practices under mulching leading to higher accumulation. The study highlights how common agricultural methods contribute to soil microplastic pollution and supports calls for better plastic mulch management.

2025 iScience 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in farmyard manures: implications for sustainable agriculture

Researchers investigated microplastic abundance and characteristics in non-commercial farmyard manures - a largely understudied pathway for microplastic entry into agricultural soils. The study assessed how manure application may serve as a source of microplastic contamination in farmland, contributing to understanding of plastic pollution cycles in terrestrial agricultural ecosystems.

2025 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
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

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

Microplastic contamination in soil agro-ecosystems: A review

This review examines microplastic contamination in agricultural soils across global regions, with a focus on underrepresented areas in Africa, Latin America, and Oceania. Researchers found that key sources include plastic mulch films, fertilizers, compost, and wastewater irrigation, and discuss strategies for pollution monitoring and control in farming systems.

2022 Environmental Advances 62 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in agricultural soils: a new challenge not only for agro-environmental policy?

This review addresses microplastic pollution in agricultural soils, identifying farming practices like mulching and sludge application as significant sources and discussing potential impacts on soil health and food safety. It calls for both policy action and more research on microplastic behavior in terrestrial environments.

2019 AgEcon Search (University of Minnesota, USA) 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance, spatial distribution, and characteristics of microplastics in agricultural soils and their relationship with contributing factors

Researchers found microplastic concentrations of 2,800 to 82,500 particles per kilogram in agricultural soils of Hainan Island, China, with plastic mulching, farming practices, and environmental factors all contributing to spatial variation in contamination levels.

2022 Journal of Environmental Management 88 citations