Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

From risk assessment towards risk based testing and reduction: monitoring microplastic contamination in arable fields

Researchers monitored microplastic contamination in arable agricultural fields as part of a risk-based testing and reduction framework, documenting occurrence patterns and developing approaches to prioritize field-specific risk reduction for the estimated 90% of environmental microplastics found in terrestrial systems.

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

Microplastics in soils: assessment, analytics and risks

This review examines microplastic prevalence, analytical methods, and risks in soils, finding that terrestrial microplastic contamination has received far less attention than marine accumulation despite comparable or greater abundance. Researchers evaluated current difficulties in soil microplastic sampling, isolation, and identification and called for standardised methodologies to assess ecological and human health risks.

2018 Environmental Chemistry 150 citations
Article Tier 2

Probabilistic environmental risk assessment of microplastics in soils

This study developed a probabilistic risk assessment framework for evaluating microplastic contamination in soils. Researchers analyzed data from multiple studies to estimate the likelihood and severity of microplastic risks to soil ecosystems. The findings indicate that agricultural soils are particularly vulnerable and that current contamination levels in some regions may already pose ecological risks.

2023 Geoderma 55 citations
Article Tier 2

A methodological approach of the current literature on microplastic contamination in terrestrial environments: Current knowledge and baseline considerations

This review of microplastic pollution in terrestrial and agricultural soils finds that a lack of standardized extraction and identification procedures makes most studies incomparable, calling for baseline contamination controls and harmonized reporting of concentrations, morphotypes, and analytical methods. The authors identify knowledge gaps for future research and provide minimum recommended procedures for field studies.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 155 citations
Article Tier 2

Strategy towards producing relevant and reliable data for the hazard assessment of micro- and nanoplastics in agricultural soils

This paper outlines a strategy for producing better scientific data on the hazards of micro and nanoplastics in agricultural soils. Current research suffers from a lack of standardized testing methods, unrealistic experimental conditions, and inconsistent materials, making it hard to draw reliable conclusions. The authors provide specific recommendations for more environmentally relevant experiments that could support meaningful regulations to protect soil ecosystems and food safety.

2024 TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry 22 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in terrestrial environment: Identification, characterization, and risk assessment in Indore, Central India

Researchers measured microplastic contamination in soil from agricultural and recreational areas in Indore, India. Recreational sites had about six times more microplastic particles than farmland, with most particles made of common plastics like PET and polypropylene. While the ecological risk was rated low for now, the long-term buildup of these particles in soil could eventually pose threats to crops and the food chain.

2024 Soil Use and Management 26 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 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