Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Effects of land use on soil microplastic distribution adjacent to Danjiangkou reservoir, China

Researchers collected 120 soil samples around China's Danjiangkou Reservoir — a major drinking water source — and found microplastics at concentrations ranging from 645 to over 15,000 particles per kilogram. Subsoil layers (20–40 cm deep) contained more microplastics than surface layers, and the number of nearby villages was the strongest predictor of contamination. These findings are significant because reservoir-surrounding soils act as a reservoir for microplastics that can ultimately enter drinking water supplies.

2023 Chemosphere 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution and source of microplastics in China's second largest reservoir - Danjiangkou Reservoir

Microplastic distribution and sources were investigated in Danjiangkou Reservoir, the second largest reservoir in China and the source for the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. The study found microplastics throughout both the Han and Dan sections of the reservoir, identifying agricultural runoff and upstream river inputs as key contamination sources.

2020 Journal of Environmental Sciences 148 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence status of microplastics in main agricultural areas of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China

Agricultural soils in Xinjiang, China, were surveyed for microplastic contamination, revealing widespread presence in major farming regions where plastic mulch films and irrigation systems are heavily used. The study provides one of the first regional-scale assessments of microplastic pollution in this important agricultural area.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 55 citations
Article Tier 2

Anthropogenic activities and hydrologic environment of Danjiangkou Reservoir regulate soil microplastics in the water level fluctuation zone

Researchers conducted large-scale sampling in the water-level fluctuation zone of Danjiangkou Reservoir in China to understand microplastic distribution. They found that microplastic abundance ranged from 144 to 1050 particles per kilogram of soil, with human activities and land use being the primary factors determining contamination levels. The study shows that the reservoir's hydrological environment, including water level changes and flow patterns, plays a key role in redistributing microplastics.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Manuscript prepared for submission to environmental toxicology and pharmacology pollution in drinking water source areas: Microplastics in the Danjiangkou Reservoir, China

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in surface water and sediments of the Danjiangkou Reservoir, the source area for China's South-to-North Water Diversion Project, finding microplastics in all samples at abundances ranging from 467 to 15,017 particles/m3 in water and 15 to 40 particles/kg in sediment. Fibrous particles smaller than 2 mm dominated, with micro-Raman spectroscopy identifying polypropylene as the primary polymer type.

2018 Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 113 citations
Article Tier 2

Vertical distribution and multi-source pathways of microplastics in agricultural soils: A study of typical irrigation areas in the upper Yellow River basin

Researchers found that farmland soil in the upper Yellow River region contained significantly more microplastics than nearby forest or grassland, with plastics detected in all soil layers down to one meter deep. Flood-style irrigation pushed microplastics much deeper into the ground than drip irrigation, doubling contamination levels. This is concerning because microplastics migrating deep into agricultural soil could eventually reach groundwater that people depend on for drinking water.

2025 Environmental Pollution 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence, distribution and affecting factors of microplastics in agricultural soils along the lower reaches of Yangtze River, China

Researchers conducted a large-scale field survey of microplastics in agricultural soils along the lower Yangtze River, finding widespread contamination that correlated with proximity to plastic-mulching farmland and irrigation with treated wastewater.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 220 citations
Article Tier 2

[Distribution and Sources of Microplastics in Farmland Soil Along the Fenhe River].

This study investigated the distribution and sources of microplastics in farmland soil along the Fenhe River in China, finding widespread contamination from agricultural plastic films and other sources. The results highlight how agricultural plastic use contributes directly to microplastic buildup in food-producing soils.

2021 PubMed 9 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

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

Microplastics in agricultural soils on the coastal plain of Hangzhou Bay, east China: Multiple sources other than plastic mulching film

Researchers analyzed agricultural soils from the Hangzhou Bay coastal plain and found microplastic concentrations of 571 pieces/kg in mulched soils versus 263 pieces/kg in non-mulched soils, with irrigation water identified as an additional major source alongside mulch films. The findings point to multiple input pathways for microplastic accumulation in Chinese farmland soils.

2019 Journal of Hazardous Materials 682 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatiotemporal distribution of microplastics in surface water, biofilms, and sediments in the world's largest drinking water diversion project

Researchers conducted the first spatiotemporal survey of microplastics in the South-to-North Water Diversion Project canal in China — which supplies drinking water to over 53 million people — finding microplastics present in surface water, biofilms, and sediments throughout the highly regulated system. The study raises concerns about microplastic contamination in engineered drinking water infrastructure.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 43 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics contamination in groundwater of a drinking-water source area, northern China

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in shallow groundwater from a major drinking-water source area in northern China. The study found microplastics present in groundwater samples, with their abundance, morphology, and chemical composition varying across the study area and correlating with nearby human activities.

2022 Environmental Research 56 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics abundance associated with farmland use types and the impact on soil microbial communities: A case study in Southern China

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination across orchard, paddy field, and vegetable field soils in Southern China and analyzed how it affected soil microbial communities. They found microplastic levels ranging widely across sites, with very small particles under 30 micrometers being most common, and identified 32 different polymer types. The study shows that farmland use type and agricultural practices like plastic mulching significantly influence both the amount and type of microplastic contamination in soils.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 21 citations
Article Tier 2

The distribution of microplastics in soil aggregate fractions in southwestern China

Researchers investigated microplastic distribution across different soil types in agricultural and forested areas near a lake in southwestern China and found plastic particles in every sample, with concentrations as high as 42,960 particles per kilogram. Approximately 95% of the particles fell within the microplastic size range, and fibers were the dominant form, likely originating from textiles and agricultural materials. The study demonstrates that microplastic contamination in soils is extensive and varies with land use practices.

2018 The Science of The Total Environment 1282 citations
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

[Composition and Distribution Characteristics of Microplastics in Danjiangkou Reservoir and Its Tributaries].

Researchers analyzed the types, abundance, and distribution of microplastics in Danjiangkou Reservoir, a first-class drinking water source protection area in China. Finding microplastics in a protected drinking water source underscores the need for improved upstream plastic waste management and water treatment to protect public health.

2021 PubMed 6 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

Occurrence, sources, and risks of microplastics in agricultural soils of Weishan Irrigation District in the lower reaches of the Yellow River, China

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in agricultural soils across the Weishan Irrigation District in China's Yellow River region, finding an average of 500 to 900 particles per kilogram of soil depending on land use type. Most particles were small films, fibers, and fragments, primarily made of polyethylene, likely originating from irrigation water, organic fertilizers, and plastic agricultural materials. The study found that assessing ecological risk based on specific microplastic characteristics revealed higher danger levels than looking at total particle counts alone.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Existence of microplastics in soil and groundwater in Jiaodong Peninsula

Researchers found microplastics in both soil and groundwater samples from a Chinese coastal region, with fibers dominant in groundwater and fragments dominant in soils. The discovery of microplastics in groundwater raises concerns about plastic contamination of drinking water aquifers in agricultural areas.

2021 E3S Web of Conferences 16 citations
Article Tier 2

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

This review examines plastic pollution in Chinese farmland soils, finding that agricultural practices like mulch film use and sewage sludge application are major sources of both macro- and microplastics that accumulate over time.

2023 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Occurrence, sources, and ecological risk of microplastics in groundwater: Impacts by agricultural activities and atmospheric deposition

Researchers measured microplastic levels in groundwater beneath Shanghai and found concentrations ranging from 3 to 99 particles per liter, with agricultural activity and atmospheric deposition identified as primary sources. The study used multiple risk indices to show that some areas had concerning levels of contamination. Since groundwater is a major drinking water source for many communities, this finding highlights a direct pathway for microplastic exposure in humans.

2025 Water Research 24 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of microplastics on microbial community in sediments of the Huangjinxia Reservoir—water source of a water diversion project in western China

Researchers examined microplastic contamination and its effects on microbial communities in sediments of the Huangjinxia Reservoir in western China, investigating how microplastic presence alters the composition and function of microbial assemblages in this drinking water source.

2020 Chemosphere 97 citations