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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Identifying hot-spots for microplastic contamination in agricultural soils—a spatial modelling approach for Germany
ClearAre Agricultural Soils Dumps for Microplastics of Urban Origin?
Researchers investigated whether agricultural soils serve as dumping grounds for urban-origin microplastics, finding evidence that sewage sludge application and atmospheric deposition deliver city-sourced plastics to farmland.
Macro and microplastics in the soil: abundance, characterization, identification, and interactions under different land uses in an agricultural sub-basin
Researchers examined the abundance, characterization, identification, and interactions of macro- and microplastics in soils under different land uses within an agricultural sub-basin, assessing how land-use patterns influence plastic pollution distribution and potential interactions with the soil environment.
Mapping of Agricultural Plastics Pollution in Soil: case study of Italy, France and Norway
Researchers developed an atlas quantifying and localizing agricultural plastic waste in Italy, France, and Norway, finding that plastic mulch films and other agricultural plastics accumulate in soils and generate microplastic contamination that varies significantly by crop type, climate, and waste management practices.
Quantification and analysis of surface macroplastic contamination on arable areas
Researchers quantified macroplastic contamination on German farmland, finding that fields fertilized with compost had 42 times more plastic particles per hectare than unfertilized fields, indicating that compost application and roadside littering are major pathways for plastic entering agricultural soils.
Influences of land use and depth profile on the characteristics of microplastics in agricultural soils
Researchers examined how land use and soil depth profile influence microplastic characteristics in agricultural soils, finding that wastewater and sludge application, plastic mulching, and atmospheric deposition are key sources, and that MP type and abundance vary with soil management practice and depth, highlighting the importance of vertical distribution in soil MP studies.
Evidence of microplastic accumulation in agricultural soils from sewage sludge disposal
Agricultural soils from 31 fields with different sludge application histories were analyzed for microplastics, finding significant accumulation in fields with repeated sludge applications and a positive correlation between application frequency and plastic particle counts. The study provides direct field evidence that sewage sludge fertilization is a major pathway for microplastic accumulation in agricultural soil.
Microplastic distribution and transport in agricultural soils : from field to burrow scale
Researchers investigated the spatial distribution and transport of microplastics in agricultural soils through field surveys and laboratory experiments. They found that sewage sludge amendments led to significantly higher microplastic contamination than mineral fertilizers, and that earthworm activity was a key mechanism for moving plastic particles deeper into soil. The study highlights the importance of accounting for both horizontal and vertical microplastic transport in soils when assessing agricultural pollution.
Amount, distribution and composition of large microplastics in typical agricultural soils in Northern Germany
Researchers surveyed agricultural soils in Northern Germany for large microplastics and found contamination across all sampled fields, with polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common polymer types. Concentrations varied widely depending on farming practices, with fields receiving compost and sewage sludge showing higher contamination levels. The study provides important baseline data on microplastic pollution in European agricultural soils and identifies fertilization practices as a key contamination pathway.
Spatial and temporal variance of microplastics in agricultural soils
This study reviewed how microplastic concentrations in agricultural soils vary by location and over time across multiple European field sites. The findings highlight that farming practices are direct sources of soil plastic contamination, and that long-term monitoring is needed to understand accumulation trends and their effects on soil health.
Soil contamination by microplastics in a small French agricultural watershed
Researchers characterized microplastic contamination in agricultural soils across a small French watershed, examining how various farming practices influence microplastic sources, distribution, and fate in soil environments outside of previously studied regions like China.
Microplastics pollution modulated by farming regimes under multi-scenarios
Microplastic concentrations in agricultural soils were found to vary with farming regimes, with certain practices under mulching leading to higher accumulation. The study highlights how common agricultural methods contribute to soil microplastic pollution and supports calls for better plastic mulch management.
Microplastics in soils: a review of possible sources, analytical methods and ecological impacts
This review of over 60 studies examines the sources, global distribution, and analytical methods for microplastics in soil, finding that agricultural soils are particularly contaminated via sewage sludge application, plastic mulch, and atmospheric deposition. The authors call for standardized extraction and identification protocols to enable cross-study comparisons.
Meso- and microplastic distribution and spatial connections to metal contaminations in highly cultivated and urbanised floodplain soilscapes – a case study from the Nidda River (Germany)
Researchers mapped meso- and microplastic distribution in floodplain soils along the Nidda River in Germany and found spatial correlations with trace metal contamination. Results suggest that both plastics and metals accumulate together in sediment sinks, with urbanization and proximity to industrial sites driving contamination hotspots.
Quantification and Analysis of Microplastics in Farmland Soils: Characterization, Sources, and Pathways
This study quantified and characterized microplastics in farmland soils from multiple sites, identifying agricultural mulch films, irrigation water, and compost as major sources and documenting widespread soil contamination across different farming regions.
Microplastic in long-term soil monitoring: first spatial and temporal data on plastics in agricultural topsoils
By analysing archived soil samples from a long-term German monitoring programme spanning up to 16 years, researchers confirmed that microplastic contamination (mainly polyethylene and synthetic rubber) is widespread and long-standing in agricultural topsoils, with unexpected hotspots also found in forest and grassland sites. The study demonstrates that archived soil samples can be used to retrospectively track plastic pollution history in terrestrial environments.
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.
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.
Spatial analysis of riverine microplastic in a Rhine floodplain soil in Germany
Researchers mapped microplastic distribution in floodplain soils along Germany's Rhine River, finding that flood events spread microplastics far from the riverbank into surrounding land. This shows flooding can contaminate agricultural soils with microplastics, potentially entering food crops.
Impact of sewage sludge application on soil microplastic accumulation and nutrient levels: Analysis of 22 years of data from central UK farmland
Researchers analyzed 22 years of data from central UK farmland to assess how repeated sewage sludge application accumulates microplastics in agricultural soil while nutrients are absorbed by crops, finding that microplastic buildup disrupts geochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
Microplastic background levels in German soils: The influence of site-specific characteristics and land-use practices
Scientists found tiny plastic particles in farm soils across Germany, with higher levels in grasslands than crop fields. While the amounts detected were generally low, this research shows that microplastics are spreading everywhere in our environment, including the soils where our food is grown. This matters because these plastic particles could potentially enter our food chain, though more research is needed to understand the full health effects.