We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Urban soil microplastic characterization across diverse land use types along the Anyangcheon stream in Seoul, Korea
ClearDistribution of microplastics in soil by types of land use in metropolitan area of Seoul
Researchers collected soil samples from five types of land in Seoul — farms, roadsides, residential areas, parks, and forests — and found microplastics in all of them, with agricultural land and roadsides showing the highest concentrations. Common plastic types included polyethylene and polypropylene, highlighting how everyday land use spreads microplastic contamination even far from obvious pollution sources.
Investigation on Microplastics in Soil near Landfills in the Republic of Korea
Researchers found microplastics in soil samples taken near two South Korean landfills, averaging 73–98 particles per kilogram, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the dominant types and fragments being the most common shape. The high proportion of secondary (weathered) microplastics indicates that fragmentation of larger plastic waste is actively occurring at these sites. These findings confirm that landfills are a significant local source of microplastic soil contamination and warrant inclusion in national monitoring programs.
Characterization of Microplastics and Associated Heavy Metals in Urban Soils Affected by Anthropogenic Littering: Distribution, Spatial Variation, and Influence of Soil Properties
Researchers sampled soils across residential, commercial, and industrial land-use types in urban areas and found microplastics in every location, with polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyamide as the dominant polymer types, at concentrations up to 850,000 particles per kilogram. Heavy metals were also associated with the plastic particles, meaning microplastics in urban soil may serve as combined carriers of chemical toxicants. The findings highlight urban soil as a major but underappreciated reservoir of microplastic pollution.
Microplastics in Urban Soils From Different Land Use Activities of Cyberjaya (Malaysia): Exploring Occurrence, Relationships, Sources and Pollution Level
Researchers surveyed urban soils across five different land uses in Cyberjaya, Malaysia, and found microplastics in all of them, with construction areas showing the highest concentrations. The types of plastic particles varied by location, suggesting that the sources and characteristics of soil microplastic contamination depend on what activities take place in that area.
Microplastics in soil and groundwater of Korea: Occurrence, characteristics and risk assessment
This review synthesizes recent Korean research on microplastic contamination in soil and groundwater, finding that PP, PE, PET, and PVC are the most common polymers, fragments dominate in shape (indicating secondary breakdown of plastic products), and agricultural practices are major local sources including plastic mulch films and greenhouse covers. Groundwater microplastic levels vary seasonally with monsoon rainfall, while soil levels remain relatively stable year-round. The review concludes that Korea needs a nationwide investigation and tighter regulations on agricultural plastic use to address what is already a low-to-moderate ecological risk in studied regions.
Microplastic Pollution in Residential Soils
Researchers collected surface soil from three residential density zones in Surabaya, Indonesia, and characterized microplastics by abundance, shape, color, and polymer type. Microplastics were present in all samples, with concentrations higher in denser residential areas, likely reflecting greater per-capita plastic use and outdoor plastic degradation.
Temporal and spatial distribution of microplastic in the sediment of the Han River, South Korea
The first comprehensive survey of microplastic temporal and spatial distribution in Han River sediment in South Korea found microplastics at all sites with concentrations varying by season and proximity to urban areas, with polyethylene and polypropylene fragments and fibers as the dominant types.
Microplastic pollution in urban green-belt soil in Shihezi City, China
Researchers found microplastic concentrations ranging from 287 to 3,227 particles per kilogram in urban green-belt soils in Shihezi City, China, with fibers dominating and polystyrene and polyethylene as the primary polymer types, pointing to atmospheric deposition and road runoff as key sources.
Distribution, compositional characteristics, and historical pollution records of microplastics in tidal flats of South Korea
Researchers investigated spatial and vertical distributions of microplastics in tidal flat sediments along the west coast of South Korea, finding distinct patterns in abundance and polymer composition linked to proximity to urban centers and tidal hydrodynamics.
A close relationship between microplastic contamination and coastal area use pattern
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination across three coastal areas in Korea characterized by different human activities: urban, aquafarm, and rural. They found that microplastic abundance and polymer composition varied by area, with diverse polymers at urban sites, polystyrene dominant near aquaculture operations, and polypropylene prevalent at rural fishing sites. The study demonstrates a close relationship between coastal land use patterns and the characteristics of microplastic pollution in both abiotic and biotic samples.
Microplastics contamination in the soil from Urban Landfill site, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in soil samples from an urban landfill site in Dhaka, Bangladesh. They found microplastics in all samples, predominantly fibers and fragments made of polyethylene and polypropylene, with concentrations varying across the landfill. The study provides some of the first evidence of terrestrial microplastic pollution in Bangladesh and identifies urban landfills as significant reservoirs of soil microplastic contamination.
Spatial distribution of microplastics in soil with context to human activities: a case study from the urban center
Researchers mapped the spatial distribution of microplastics in topsoil across different land use types in an urbanized city in the upper Indus plain. They found that agricultural and urban areas had significantly higher microplastic concentrations than less developed areas, with fibers being the dominant particle type. The study links microplastic soil contamination patterns to specific human activities including irrigation with wastewater, plastic mulching, and industrial discharge.
Effects of land use on the distribution of soil microplastics in the Lihe River watershed, China
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination across five different land use types in a Chinese river watershed. They found that urban soils had the highest microplastic levels, followed by agricultural areas, with woodland having the lowest, and that population density strongly correlated with microplastic diversity. The study suggests that human activity intensity and plastic waste disposal are the main drivers of soil microplastic pollution at the watershed scale.
Distribution and characterization of microplastics in marine sediments from coastal and offshore in South Korea
Researchers conducted an intensive survey of microplastic levels and distribution in marine sediments from coastal areas, recognizing the seafloor as the ultimate repository for plastic particles. Microplastic concentrations in sediments were highest near urban and industrial coastlines, with fibers and fragments as the most common types.
Distribution of Microplastics in an Urban Soil:The Case of a Medium-Sized Cityin the Central Valley of Chile
Researchers systematically sampled soils across an entire Chilean city and found microplastics at 95% of sampling sites, with plastic fibers making up 68% of the particles detected. The near-universal contamination signals that urban soils are a widespread and underappreciated reservoir of microplastic pollution.
Microplastic pollution in soil: a case-study from the Raffaele Viviani public park in Naples, Italy
This field study characterized microplastic contamination in soil samples from a public park in Naples, Italy, finding diverse polymer types at concentrations indicating that urban green spaces accumulate significant microplastic loads from atmospheric deposition and visitor activity.
Characteristics and potential risks of microplastics in the soil near landfill in Anyang, China
Soil samples collected around a large landfill in Anyang, China contained between 900 and 4,900 microplastic particles per kilogram, dominated by fibers and films smaller than 0.5 mm, with rayon and polypropylene as the most common polymers. Overall contamination was classified as moderate with low ecological risk, but soil texture was the main factor influencing how microplastics distributed themselves — not organic matter or pH. The results suggest landfills are meaningful point sources of soil microplastic contamination to surrounding land.
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.
Pollution Characteristics of Microplastics in Soils in Southeastern Suburbs of Baoding City, China
Researchers characterized microplastic pollution in soils from the southeastern suburbs of Beijing, finding widespread contamination across 12 sampling sites with fibers and fragments as the dominant forms, and highlighting agricultural activities and urban runoff as likely sources. The study contributes soil-ecosystem baseline data to a research area dominated by aquatic microplastic studies.
Examining Soil Microplastics: Prevalence and Consequences Across Varied Land Use Contexts
Scientists examined microplastic contamination in soil samples from different land use areas in Makassar City, Indonesia. They found microplastics present across all sites, with the types and concentrations varying based on how the land was used, whether for agriculture, residential, or commercial purposes. The study suggests that human activity patterns strongly influence the amount and kind of microplastic pollution found in urban and agricultural soils.
Microplastics in urban soils of Nanjing in eastern China: Occurrence, relationships, and sources
Researchers surveyed microplastics in urban green space soils across Nanjing, China, finding an average abundance of 461 particles per kilogram with fibers and fragments as the dominant forms. Source analysis linked microplastic patterns to nearby delivery and recycling activity points, suggesting that urban logistics infrastructure is an underrecognized microplastic source.
Urban Microplastic Pollution Revealed by a Large-Scale Wetland Soil Survey
Researchers conducted a large-scale survey of wetland soils across an urban area and found an average of 379 microplastic particles per kilogram, with abundance closely linked to proximity to the city's economic center. Polypropylene was the most common polymer type, and fiber and fragment shapes dominated the samples. The study found that atmospheric particle pollution and heavy metal concentrations in soil were strongly correlated with microplastic levels, suggesting shared urban pollution sources.
Effects of soil properties and land use patterns on the distribution of microplastics: A case study in southwest China
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in soils across different land use types in Guizhou Province, southwest China. The study found that soil properties and land use patterns significantly influence microplastic abundance and distribution, with agricultural and urban soils generally showing higher contamination levels than less intensively managed areas.
Microplastic diversity, risks and soil impacts: A multi-metric assessment across land-use systems
Researchers surveyed microplastic abundance, polymer diversity, and ecological risk across seven land-use types in India's Brahmaputra Valley, finding that built-up areas had the highest particle counts while forest soils paradoxically showed the greatest polymer hazard scores due to high-risk polymers, and that land-use type shapes both the quantity and composition of soil microplastic contamination.