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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Characteristics of Soil Heavy Metal Pollution and Health Risks in Chenzhou City
ClearCharacterization 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.
Spatial Risks of Microplastics in Soils and the Cascading Effects Thereof
Using data from over 3,000 field sites across China, researchers found that about 4.3% of soil ecosystems face ecological risk from microplastics, with agricultural soils being the most vulnerable at nearly 15%. Climate factors like temperature and precipitation, combined with human activities like plastic film use in farming, are the main drivers of risk. The study highlights that microplastic contamination in farm soil is a widespread problem that could affect the safety of crops grown for human consumption.
Characterization of microplastic, metals associated and ecological risk assessment in the topsoil of shiraz metropolis, south west of Iran
Researchers surveyed topsoil across the city of Shiraz, Iran and found microplastics in all sample types, with urban soils containing roughly three times more particles than industrial or agricultural soils. Fragments and small particles between 100 and 250 micrometers were the most common forms detected. The study also found that metals like lead, zinc, and copper tend to accumulate on microplastic surfaces, potentially increasing the ecological risk these particles pose.
Distribution characteristics and integrated ecological risks evaluation modelling of microplastics and heavy metals in geological high background soil
Researchers investigated the co-occurrence of microplastics and heavy metals in high geological background soil in Qianxi, China, and developed a new model for evaluating their combined ecological risk. They found elevated cadmium levels alongside significant microplastic contamination, with different crop rotation patterns influencing pollution distribution. The study proposes a two-dimensional index for assessing the joint environmental risks of microplastics and heavy metals in agricultural soils.
Effects of soil properties and land use patterns on the distribution of microplastics: A case study in southwest China
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in soils across different land use types in Guizhou Province, southwest China. The study found that soil properties and land use patterns significantly influence microplastic abundance and distribution, with agricultural and urban soils generally showing higher contamination levels than less intensively managed areas.
Impact Imposed by Urbanization on Soil Heavy Metal Content of Lake Wetland and Evaluation of Ecological Risks in East Dongting Lake in China
This Chinese study measured heavy metal contamination in wetland soils of East Dongting Lake, finding elevated concentrations of several metals linked to nearby industrial and agricultural activities. Wetland contamination with heavy metals often co-occurs with microplastic pollution, and these combined stressors can have synergistic harmful effects on wetland ecosystems.
Risk assessment and zoning of soil microplastics in a typical megacity, China
Researchers mapped microplastic contamination across soils in Nanjing, a major Chinese city, and found that risk levels varied significantly by location. Residential areas, government districts, and industrial zones showed the highest concentrations, with washing-related activities and soil properties being key factors influencing pollution levels. The study provides a risk-based zoning framework that could help city planners prioritize cleanup and prevention efforts in the most affected areas.
Characterization of Microplastics and Associated Heavy Metals in Urban Soils Affected by Anthropogenic Littering: Distribution, Spatial Variation, and Influence of Soil Properties
Researchers sampled soils across residential, commercial, and industrial land-use types in urban areas and found microplastics in every location, with polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyamide as the dominant polymer types, at concentrations up to 850,000 particles per kilogram. Heavy metals were also associated with the plastic particles, meaning microplastics in urban soil may serve as combined carriers of chemical toxicants. The findings highlight urban soil as a major but underappreciated reservoir of microplastic pollution.
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.
Microplastic characteristics and microplastic-heavy metal synergistic contamination in agricultural soil under different cultivation modes in Chengdu, China
Researchers surveyed agricultural soils across different farming types in Chengdu, China and found microplastics in every sample, with grasslands containing more than twice the concentration of other land uses. The most common particle types were fibers, films, and granules, predominantly in red, blue, and transparent colors. The study also assessed the combined contamination of microplastics and heavy metals, finding that these pollutants tend to co-occur and may create synergistic risks in farming soils.
Distribution of microplastics in the soils of a petrochemical industrial region in China: Ecological and Human Health Risks
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in soils across a major petrochemical industrial region in China and found concentrations ranging from 714 to over 11,000 particles per kilogram. Educational land had the highest contamination levels, and ecological risk assessments showed nearly all land-use types were at the highest risk level. The study also found that infants face significantly higher daily microplastic exposure than adults, underscoring the need for targeted pollution management in industrial urban areas.
[Relationships Between Microplastic and Surrounding Soil in an E-Waste Zone of China].
Researchers measured microplastic contamination in soils around an e-waste dismantling zone in China, finding that plastic particles had distinct properties compared to those in less contaminated nearby soils, and that microplastic abundance correlated with other soil pollution indicators. E-waste processing sites are emerging as significant but understudied sources of microplastic soil contamination.
Assessment of soil microplastics: An overview on toxicity, effects on heavy metals adsorption, solid-phase extraction, and detection techniques
This review examined how microplastics in soil enter the food chain and pose human health risks, with particular attention to their role as carriers for heavy metals. Agricultural practices like plastic mulching and sewage sludge application were identified as major sources of soil MP contamination.
Magnetic Particles Weight as an Indicator for Heavy Metals Concentration
Researchers tested whether the mass of magnetic particles in soil could serve as a proxy indicator for heavy metal contamination in urban environments. Magnetic particle content correlated with concentrations of lead, zinc, and other metals from traffic and industrial sources. While not focused on microplastics, urban heavy metal contamination often co-occurs with microplastic pollution from the same traffic and industrial sources.
Significant influence of land use types and anthropogenic activities on the distribution of microplastics in soil: A case from a typical mining-agricultural city
Scientists surveyed microplastic pollution across five types of land in a Chinese mining-agricultural city and found the highest levels in greenhouse farmland, with nearly 3,738 particles per kilogram of soil. Agricultural plastic waste, irrigation water, and fertilizers were identified as the main sources of contamination. The study shows that farming practices are major contributors to microplastic buildup in the soil that produces our food.
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.
Research Progress of Soil Pollution and Its Remediation Technology
This review examines the combined soil pollution problem of heavy metals and microplastics in China, summarizing sources, ecological impacts, and remediation technologies including phytoremediation, bioremediation, and physicochemical approaches to restore contaminated agricultural land.
The effects of microplastics on heavy metals bioavailability in soils: a meta-analysis
This meta-analysis of 790 data sets found that microplastics can increase the availability of toxic heavy metals like copper, lead, and cadmium in soil. This means plastic pollution may make it easier for dangerous metals to enter the food chain through crops, potentially increasing health risks for people.
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.
A review of microplastics in soil: Occurrence, analytical methods, combined contamination and risks
This review provides a comprehensive overview of microplastic pollution in soil ecosystems, covering sources, detection methods, and ecological impacts. Researchers found that soils are major reservoirs for microplastics, and the study highlights how combined contamination with other pollutants like heavy metals and pesticides may amplify risks to soil organisms and food safety.