Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Impact assessment of microplastics in agricultural soils of the Euroregion Galicia and Minho: preliminary results

Researchers assessed the impact of microplastic pollution on agricultural soils in the Euroregion Galicia-Norte Portugal, examining contamination levels across farmland as plastic use in agriculture intensifies globally. Microplastics were detected across sampled fields, with levels and types reflecting regional agricultural practices and plastic inputs.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Impact assessment of microplastics in agricultural soils of the Euroregion Galicia and Minho: preliminary results

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in agricultural soils across the Euroregion Galicia-Norte de Portugal, identifying distribution patterns and potential impacts on soil health. Agricultural practices involving plastic mulching were identified as the primary local source of soil microplastic contamination.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Prevalence of microplastics in agricultural soils in southern Portugal

Researchers conducted the first survey of microplastic contamination in agricultural soils from southern Portugal, collecting samples across four land-use areas with different farming practices and characterizing polymer types and their associations with agricultural history in a Mediterranean system.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Prevalence of microplastics in agricultural soils in southern Portugal

Researchers conducted the first survey of microplastic contamination in agricultural soils from southern Portugal, collecting samples across four land-use areas with different farming practices and characterizing polymer types and their associations with agricultural history in a Mediterranean system.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Greenhouse farming as a source of macroplastic and microplastics contamination in agricultural soils: a case study from Southeast-Hungary

Researchers quantified macroplastic and microplastic contamination in greenhouse farmland soils in China, finding significant accumulation of polyethylene film fragments throughout the soil profile and in underlying groundwater, demonstrating that greenhouse agriculture is a substantial source of agricultural soil plastic pollution.

2022 Agrokémia és Talajtan 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Management of agricultural plastic waste in Portugal to prevent microplastics

This study assessed agricultural plastic waste management practices in Portugal and their role in generating soil micro- and nanoplastics. Poor management of plastic mulches and other agricultural films was identified as a significant and preventable source of persistent soil contamination.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Contamination of microplastics in greenhouse soil subjected to plastic mulching

This study quantified microplastic accumulation in greenhouse soils under different durations of plastic mulching, finding that longer mulching periods significantly increased MP concentrations in both topsoil and subsoil. Soil physicochemical properties were associated with MP contamination levels, suggesting soil type and organic matter influence MP retention.

2024 Environmental Technology & Innovation 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Management of agricultural plastic waste in Portugal to prevent microplastics

Researchers examined the management of agricultural plastic waste in Portugal, assessing how mismanagement of plastics used in farming has led to soil contamination with microplastics and identifying practices that reduce plastic fragmentation and environmental release. The study found gaps between best practices and actual farm-level waste management that result in preventable plastic accumulation in agricultural soils.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
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

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.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 49 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 143 citations
Article Tier 2

Tracking the source of microplastics in soil—an exploratory case study in peach orchards from east-central Portugal

Researchers tracked the sources and types of microplastics found in agricultural soil at peach orchards in east-central Portugal by analyzing soil, irrigation water, organic fertilizers, and atmospheric fallout. They identified microplastics from multiple entry points, including irrigation and soil amendments, with fibers and fragments being the most common shapes. The study demonstrates the need for a multi-source approach to understanding how microplastics accumulate in farmland.

2025 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Macro- and micro-plastic accumulation in soils under different intensive farming systems: A case study in Quzhou county, the North China Plain

Soil samples from six farming systems in the North China Plain showed macroplastic abundances from 0.2 to 46.8 kg/ha and microplastic concentrations up to 3.7×10⁴ items/kg, with greenhouse and mulched vegetable fields showing the highest contamination.

2024 Environmental Pollution 9 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 iScience 1 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 CINECA IRIS Institutional Research Information System (University of Bari Aldo Moro)
Article Tier 2

Quantification of macroplastic litter in fallow greenhouse farmlands: case study in southeastern hungary

A survey of fallow greenhouse farmlands in southern Hungary found an average of 434 macroplastic pieces per 100 square meters on soil surfaces, predominantly film fragments from agricultural covers. This quantification of large plastic debris matters because macroplastics are the primary source of microplastic contamination in farmland soils as they break down over time.

2023 Environmental Sciences Europe 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics Derived From Disposable Greenhouse Plastic Films and Irrigation Pipes: A Case Study From Turkey

Researchers found an average of 11.13 microplastics/kg in agricultural soils in Turkey's Adana region where disposable greenhouse plastic films and irrigation pipes are used, with one site reaching 32 microplastics/kg, linking agricultural plastic inputs directly to soil microplastic contamination.

2022 Research Square (Research Square) 7 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2023
Article Tier 2

Understanding the impact of microplastic contamination on soil quality and eco-toxicological risks in horticulture: A comprehensive review

This review examines how microplastic contamination in horticultural soils affects soil quality, plant health, and food safety. Microplastics alter soil structure, reduce beneficial microbial activity, and can transfer toxic chemicals to edible crops. Since horticulture provides a significant portion of the global food supply, understanding and addressing microplastic contamination in these soils is critical for protecting human health.

2024 Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering 22 citations
Article Tier 2

Plastics derived from disposable greenhouse plastic films and irrigation pipes in agricultural soils: a case study from Turkey

Researchers investigated plastic contamination in agricultural soils in Turkey where disposable greenhouse films and irrigation pipes are used. They found an average of 16.5 plastic pieces per kilogram of soil, with about 42% being microplastics, and evidence indicates that removing used plastics after the growing season significantly reduces soil contamination.

2022 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 68 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution pattern and risk assessment of microplastics contamination in different agricultural systems

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in agricultural soils across six sites in Coimbatore, India with distinct farming practices, finding microplastics in 81% of organic matter-removed samples. The study revealed that different agronomic inputs and land management practices produce distinct microplastic contamination profiles.

2024 International Journal of Environmental & Analytical Chemistry 9 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2021 Agriculture 99 citations
Article Tier 2

Methodological Approach for Detecting Polypropylene Microplastics in Agricultural Soil in Southern Portugal

A methodological approach was developed specifically for detecting polypropylene microplastics, one of the most common plastics in the environment. Improved polypropylene-specific detection methods help fill a gap in monitoring programs, since this polymer can be challenging to identify with general-purpose techniques.

2025 Pollutants 1 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 Plants People Planet 51 citations