Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Occurrence and health risk assessment of phthalate ester pollution in mulched farmland soil at a national scale, China

Researchers analyzed farmland soils across 29 Chinese provinces and found widespread phthalate ester contamination linked to plastic mulching films, with di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate posing carcinogenic risks exceeding safety thresholds in over 11% of samples, pointing to inadequate current regulations on agricultural plastic use.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Accumulation of soil microplastics and phthalate esters in nine typical Chinese croplands using plastic mulch film

Researchers conducted a harmonized analysis of microplastics and phthalate esters in agricultural soils from nine mulched crop regions across six Chinese provinces, finding microplastic abundances ranging from 2.4 million to higher concentrations in the 0–30 cm soil layer, with phthalate co-contamination.

2025 Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering
Article Tier 2

Are microplastics correlated to phthalates in facility agriculture soil?

A study of agricultural soils from facility greenhouses and open fields in two Chinese vegetable-growing regions found MP concentrations of 380–3,786 pieces/kg and phthalate ester (PAE) levels of 0.30–1.58 mg/kg, with greenhouse soils significantly higher in MPs but not consistently in PAEs.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 151 citations
Article Tier 2

Influencing factors and risk assessment of phthalate ester pollution in the agricultural soil on a tropical island

Researchers surveyed phthalate ester plasticizers across 106 sites on a tropical island and found that soil microplastic abundance, pesticide use, land type, and urbanization all influence phthalate levels, with the highest health risk concentrated in vegetable fields and paddy regions where dietary exposure is also greatest.

2024 Chemosphere 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics and Health Risks of Phthalate Ester Contamination in Soil and Plants in Coastal Areas of South China

Researchers investigated phthalate ester contamination across 37 sites in coastal South China, finding widespread contamination in both soil and plants with concentrations posing potential health risks, particularly from the plasticizers DEHP and DBP.

2022 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 23 citations
Article Tier 2

Co-occurrence of light microplastics and phthalate esters in soils of China

Researchers investigated the co-occurrence of light microplastics and phthalate esters in Chinese soils, finding both pollutants present in all sampled agricultural and urban soils with significant correlations suggesting shared sources of plastic-derived contamination.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 33 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution and Risk Assessment of Organophosphate Esters in Agricultural Soils and Plants in the Coastal Areas of South China

This study measured organophosphate esters, chemicals used as flame retardants and plasticizers in plastic products, in agricultural soils and crops along China's southern coast. These chemicals were found in every soil and plant sample tested, with some areas showing high ecological risk levels. While focused on chemical additives rather than microplastics directly, these are the same toxic compounds that leach from microplastics, showing how plastic-related chemicals contaminate the food supply.

2024 Toxics 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Status, characteristics, and ecological risks of microplastics in farmland surface soils cultivated with different crops across mainland China

Researchers conducted a nationwide survey of microplastics in farmland soils across mainland China, covering over 30 crop types in 109 cities. They found microplastics in all sampled soils, with concentrations varying by crop type, region, and farming practices such as plastic film mulching and irrigation methods. The study provides the most comprehensive picture to date of agricultural microplastic contamination in China and identifies the key farming practices that contribute most to soil pollution.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 28 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics of organophosphate ester contamination and multiple influencing factors in various agricultural soils across China: A national-scale investigation

Researchers conducted a national-scale investigation of organophosphate ester (OPE) contamination across different agricultural land types in China, examining the influence of agronomic practices and environmental factors alongside co-occurring microplastics and phthalate esters. The study found OPEs widely distributed in farmland soils and identified key drivers of contamination levels including soil properties, cropping systems, and proximity to pollution sources.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials
Article Tier 2

The abundance, characteristics and distribution of microplastics (MPs) in farmland soil—Based on research in China

This review analyzed microplastic contamination in farmland soil across China and found that fertilizer use and plastic mulch film are the biggest contributors, increasing soil microplastic levels by 170% and 232% respectively. The most common types found were polyethylene and polypropylene fragments and fibers. These findings are concerning because microplastics in farm soil can be taken up by crops and enter the human food supply.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 92 citations
Article Tier 2

Accumulation and Transport of Phthalic Acid Esters in the Soil-Plant System of Agricultural Fields with Different Years of Film Mulching

Agricultural plastic mulch films release phthalate plasticizers (PAEs) into surrounding soil over time, and these chemicals accumulate in crops like maize and cabbage. After more than 10 years of continuous mulching, DEHP levels in cabbage leaves exceeded China's national food safety limits, highlighting a direct pathway for plastic-associated chemical contaminants to enter the human food supply.

2023 Sustainability 8 citations
Article Tier 2

[Distribution Characteristics and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Farmland Soil in Guyuan].

Researchers analyzed microplastic distribution in agricultural soils in Guyuan City, China, finding concentrations ranging from 186 to 1,286 particles per kg, with greenhouse farming soils containing 35–229% more microplastics than open fields and PE and PP being the dominant polymer types. The findings raise concern for food chain contamination and demonstrate that plastic mulch film use in facility agriculture significantly increases soil microplastic accumulation.

2023 PubMed 2 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Polish Journal of Environmental Studies 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Phthalate ester levels in agricultural soils of greenhouses, their potential sources, the role of plastic cover material, and dietary exposure calculated from modeled concentrations in tomato

Researchers measured phthalate plasticizer concentrations in soils across 50 greenhouses and modeled dietary exposure through tomatoes, finding that plastic cover materials and irrigation pipes are the dominant sources of soil phthalate contamination and that DEHP in greenhouse-grown tomatoes poses a measurable carcinogenic risk.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Potential sources and occurrence of macro-plastics and microplastics pollution in farmland soils: A typical case of China

This study provides the first comprehensive survey of plastic pollution in Chinese farmland soil, analyzing data from 163 publications covering 728 sites. The average microplastic abundance was 4,537 particles per kilogram of dry soil, with agricultural plastic films and organic waste being the biggest sources. Since China is the world's largest user of agricultural plastics, these findings highlight how farming practices can lead to significant microplastic contamination of the soil that grows our food.

2023 Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology 162 citations
Article Tier 2

The characteristics and influencing factors of farmland soil microplastic in Hetao Irrigation District, China

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in farmland soil across a major grain-producing region in China, finding concentrations ranging from about 1,800 to over 86,000 particles per kilogram. Polyethylene film fragments from agricultural plastic mulch were the dominant type, and 90% of the particles were smaller than 180 micrometers. The study shows that farming practices are introducing large amounts of microplastics into the soil where food crops are grown, raising questions about potential transfer into the food supply.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 50 citations
Article Tier 2

Agricultural plastic mulching as a source of microplastics in the terrestrial environment

Researchers analyzed 384 soil samples from 19 Chinese provinces and found that macroplastic fragments were concentrated in agricultural fields with plastic mulch film use, providing large-scale field evidence linking agricultural mulching to terrestrial plastic contamination.

2020 Environmental Pollution 1205 citations
Article Tier 2

Soil Contamination by Phthalate Esters in Cultivated and Non-Cultivated Soils in North African Arid Regions: A Tunisian Case Study

Researchers conducted the first study of phthalate ester contamination in Tunisian soils, finding these plasticizer compounds were widespread in both cultivated and non-cultivated arid soils, with agricultural plastics and irrigation water identified as primary contamination sources.

2022 Environment and Natural Resources Journal 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Application of catastrophe theory in comprehensive ecological security assessment of plastic greenhouse soil contaminated by phthalate esters

This study assessed the ecological risk from phthalate plasticizers contaminating greenhouse soil in China, finding elevated contamination in areas with heavy plastic film use in agriculture. Phthalates from agricultural plastic films build up in soil and pose risks to soil organisms and crops.

2018 PLoS ONE 11 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 Environmental Science & Technology 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in soils with different agricultural practices: Importance of sources with internal origin and environmental fate

Microplastic abundance and characteristics were examined in soils representing four agricultural practice types in Chinese farmland to evaluate the influence of land use on plastic particle accumulation. Microplastic concentrations and polymer types varied by agricultural practice, with plastic mulch film use and irrigation water source as key drivers of farmland soil contamination.

2020 Journal of Hazardous Materials 282 citations
Article Tier 2

Distinct microplastic distributions in soils of different land-use types: A case study of Chinese farmlands

Microplastic distribution across six types of farmland land use was surveyed from soils in five Chinese provinces to determine how agricultural practices shape soil microplastic contamination. The study found that microplastic abundance varied significantly by land-use type, with plastic mulch film use and irrigation practices as key contributing factors.

2020 Environmental Pollution 278 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and characteristics of microplastics in soils from greenhouse and open-field cultivation using plastic mulch film

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in agricultural soils across three regions in China, comparing greenhouse and open-field cultivation that uses plastic mulch film. They found that microplastic abundance varied significantly by region and that the type of mulching practice accounted for over 34% of the variation in microplastic composition. The study provides important baseline data on how plastic film use in farming contributes to soil microplastic pollution.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 51 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence characteristics and risk assessment of microplastics in agricultural soils in the loess hilly gully area of Yan' an, China

Researchers measured microplastic levels in agricultural soil, water, and fertilizer in a farming region of central China and found an average of about 4,500 particles per kilogram of soil. Over 90% of the particles were smaller than 100 micrometers, and the main types were polyethylene and PET from sources like plastic mulch and compost. The findings show that farming practices are introducing significant microplastic contamination into the soil where food is grown.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 45 citations