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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Residual Film in Soil Profile under Continuous Film Mulching
ClearMacro- and microplastic accumulation in soil after 32 years of plastic film mulching
Researchers quantified plastic accumulation in an agricultural field after 32 continuous years of plastic mulch film use. They found roughly 10 times more macroplastic fragments in fertilized plots than non-fertilized plots, likely because plant roots and stems became entangled with the film making removal difficult. The study found that plastic mulch contributed 33% to 56% of total microplastics detected down to one meter of soil depth, demonstrating substantial long-term accumulation from agricultural plastic use.
Exploring the Occurrence Characteristics of Microplastics in Typical Maize Farmland Soils With Long-Term Plastic Film Mulching in Northern China
A survey of 225 soil samples from maize farmland with long-term plastic film mulching in northern China found widespread microplastic contamination, with abundance, distribution, and polymer composition reflecting the history of film use and agricultural management practices.
Microplastic Accumulation in Agricultural Soils with Different Mulching Histories in Xinjiang, China
Researchers found that microplastic accumulation in agricultural soils of Xinjiang, China increases significantly with mulching history, with fields mulched for over 20 years containing substantially more microplastics across all soil layers.
Characteristics of microplastics in dryland soils after long‐term film mulching and the effect of cropping type in western Liaoning Province, China
Fields in a semi-arid region of China that had been covered with agricultural plastic film for over a decade showed significant microplastic accumulation in the soil, with fragment shapes dominating and concentrations varying by crop type. Different crops influenced both the abundance and characteristics of microplastic particles, likely due to differences in tillage, root activity, and film use patterns. This study adds to growing evidence that agricultural plastic mulching is a major driver of farmland microplastic pollution with potential consequences for soil health and crop safety.
Vertical distributions of microplastics in long-term mulched soils and their potential impacts on soil properties and microbial diversity
Microplastic concentrations were measured at different depths in agricultural soils that had been mulched with plastic film over many years, finding vertical stratification with higher concentrations near the surface. Long-term plastic mulching leads to progressive accumulation of microplastics throughout the soil profile.
Distribution and weathering characteristics of microplastics in paddy soils following long-term mulching: A field study in Southwest China
Researchers investigated microplastic distribution in paddy soils following long-term plastic film mulching in Southwest China, finding that ten years of continuous mulching significantly increased filmy microplastic accumulation and that weathering altered the chemical properties of these particles.
Duration- and area-dependent influences of plastic film mulch on soil microplastics abundance
Researchers conducted a field campaign combined with remote sensing to investigate how the duration and coverage area of plastic film mulching affect microplastic abundance in agricultural soils in northern China's agro-pastoral ecotone, finding that microplastic concentrations ranged from 41.7 to 787.5 items per kilogram and positively correlated with mulching duration.
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.
Vertical distribution and characteristics of soil microplastics under different land use patterns: A case study of Shouguang City, China
Researchers systematically investigated microplastic distribution across seven land use types and three soil depth layers in Shouguang City, China. The study found that greenhouse and polytunnel agricultural soils had the highest microplastic abundance, dominated by polyethylene and polypropylene film fragments, with concentrations decreasing with depth but still reaching 11-19% of total levels in the deepest layer at 40-60 centimeters.
Accumulation of microplastics in greenhouse soil after long-term plastic film mulching in Beijing, China
Researchers found that microplastic contamination in Beijing greenhouse soils increased with the duration of plastic film mulching, with abandoned greenhouses accumulating the highest levels at over 2,200 particles per kilogram of soil.
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.
Microplastics in agricultural soils: Extraction and characterization after different periods of polythene film mulching in an arid region
Researchers developed a new method to extract microplastics from agricultural soil and found that fields mulched with plastic film for 30 years had the highest microplastic concentrations, at 40 mg per kilogram of soil, with particle size decreasing as the years of mulching increased. The study highlights the long-term accumulation of microplastics in soils under continuous plastic film agriculture.
Distribution characteristics of microplastics in agricultural soils from the largest vegetable production base in China
Soil samples from greenhouse and open-field vegetable farms in Shouguang, China's largest greenhouse production region, contained 310–5,698 MP items/kg, with small particles (<0.5 mm) accumulating preferentially in deeper soil layers — indicating vertical migration over time.
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.
The persistently breaking trade-offs of three-decade plastic film mulching: Microplastic pollution, soil degradation and reduced cotton yield
A study of cotton fields in northwest China with 3-32 years of continuous plastic mulch use found that microplastic abundance in soil increased exponentially with mulching duration, while soil physical properties degraded and cotton root traits and yields declined in heavily mulched plots. The results challenge the assumed economic trade-off of plastic mulching, suggesting decades of cumulative MP pollution eventually costs more in yield than it provides in early-season benefits.
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.
Microplastics in agricultural soils in China: Sources, impacts and solutions
This review examines microplastic contamination in Chinese agricultural soils, finding abundances ranging from about 5 to over 40,000 items per kilogram depending on location. The study identifies plastic mulching films as the most significant source, followed by abandoned greenhouses and organic fertilizers, and recommends sustainable agronomic practices to reduce soil microplastic pollution.
Impact of plastic film mulching on microplastic in farmland soils in Guangdong province, China
Researchers surveyed farmland in Guangdong, China's largest economic province, to determine how much plastic mulch film contributes to soil microplastic pollution. They found that fields using plastic mulch had significantly higher microplastic levels than those without, and the contamination correlated with years of mulch use. The study helps clarify the direct agricultural contribution to soil microplastic pollution in regions with many overlapping pollution sources.
[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.
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.
Spatial distribution of microplastics in Mollisols of the farmland in Northeast China: the role of field management and plastic sources
Researchers investigated how farmland management practices affect the distribution of microplastics in vegetable fields in Northeast China. They found seven types of plastic polymers in soil layers down to 30 centimeters, with larger macroplastic fragments being the primary source of microplastic contamination. Higher fertilization doses contributed more to microplastic generation than tillage frequency.
Plastic mulching in agriculture. Trading short-term agronomic benefits for long-term soil degradation?
This study examined plastic mulch use in agriculture, arguing that short-term crop benefits come with long-term costs as mulch fragments accumulate in soil as microplastics and disrupt soil structure, biology, and water dynamics.
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.
Environmental fate and effects of mulch films on agricultural soil: A systematic review from application to residual impact
This systematic review examines how plastic mulch films used in agriculture break down over time and release microplastics into farm soil. The films improve crop growth but create lasting environmental damage as plastic fragments accumulate and alter soil properties. The findings underscore the importance of developing truly biodegradable alternatives to protect farmland from microplastic pollution.