Papers

61,005 results
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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

Occurrence characteristics, source analysis, and risk assessment of microplastics in agricultural soils: A case study on Shihezi Reclamation Area, Xinjiang, China

Microplastic occurrence was characterized in agricultural soils of the Shihezi Reclamation Area, Xinjiang — a region with decades of plastic film mulching — finding high-density PE and PP fragments as dominant types, with mulch film degradation as the primary source.

2025 The Science of The Total Environment
Article Tier 2

Cropland Microplastics in Xinjiang: Unveiling Distribution and Impact of Mulching Film Residues

This study assessed microplastic distribution and the contribution of agricultural mulching film residues across croplands in Xinjiang, China, finding widespread polyethylene microplastic contamination that correlates with mulch film use intensity and poses risks to soil health and food safety.

2024
Article Tier 2

Distinct soil microplastic distributions under various farmland-use types around Urumqi, China

Microplastic distribution was characterized in soils from greenhouse, crop field, and vegetable field land-use types around Urumqi in arid northwestern China. Greenhouse soils had the highest microplastic abundance, film-shaped particles dominated at 85.93%, and polyethylene was the most common polymer type across all land-use categories.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 60 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution of microplastics in mulched soil in Xinjiang, China

Researchers measured microplastic distribution in plastic-mulched farmland soils in Xinjiang, China, finding that plastic particles concentrate in the top soil layer where mulch films fragment. The dominant polymer found was polyethylene, consistent with the plastic mulch films widely used in agriculture across the region.

2021 International journal of agricultural and biological engineering 18 citations
Article Tier 2

The characteristics and influencing factors of farmland soil microplastic in Hetao Irrigation District, China

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in farmland soil across a major grain-producing region in China, finding concentrations ranging from about 1,800 to over 86,000 particles per kilogram. Polyethylene film fragments from agricultural plastic mulch were the dominant type, and 90% of the particles were smaller than 180 micrometers. The study shows that farming practices are introducing large amounts of microplastics into the soil where food crops are grown, raising questions about potential transfer into the food supply.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 50 citations
Article Tier 2

The occurrence of microplastics in farmland and grassland soils in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau: Different land use and mulching time in facility agriculture

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in farmland and grassland soils on the remote Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China. The study found an average of about 50 microplastic particles per kilogram of soil, with plastic film and polyester being the most common types. Notably, longer use of plastic mulch in farming was linked to higher microplastic levels, suggesting that agricultural plastic use is a key source of soil contamination even in remote regions.

2021 Environmental Pollution 225 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in cotton soils following long-term mulching: A field study for the Xinjiang production and construction corps in China

Researchers investigated microplastic accumulation across agricultural soils in Xinjiang, China — a major mulch film use region — finding that microplastic abundance positively correlates with mulching duration and that geographical and social factors drive north-south differences in contamination levels.

2025 Results in Engineering
Article Tier 2

Occurrence characteristics and ecological impact of agricultural soil microplastics in the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau, China

Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in agricultural soils on the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau in China, a remote area with low population density. They found microplastic concentrations ranging from about 17 to 950 particles per kilogram, with polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, and polyethylene being the most common types. The study suggests that facility-based agriculture significantly increases soil microplastic levels, and nearly half of the areas assessed showed relatively high polymer risk.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in arid soils: Impact of different cropping systems (Altay, Xinjiang)

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in farmland soils in an arid region of China, finding extremely high concentrations averaging over 52,000 particles per kilogram of soil. Polyethylene from plastic mulch film accounted for over 90% of the microplastics, with fields growing tall crops like sunflower and maize showing more contamination than potato fields. The study demonstrates that agricultural plastic mulch use is a major source of soil microplastic pollution, particularly in arid farming regions.

2022 Environmental Pollution 83 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics of Microplastic Pollution in Agricultural Soils in Xiangtan, China

Researchers characterized microplastic pollution in agricultural soils in Xiangtan, China, finding an average abundance of over 4,300 particles per kilogram of soil. The study found that rice paddies and vegetable fields contained different microplastic profiles, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common types, pointing to mulch film and irrigation water as likely sources.

2024 Sustainability 11 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

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

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

[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.

2023 PubMed 2 citations
Article Tier 2

The occurrence and distribution characteristics of microplastics in the agricultural soils of Shaanxi Province, in north-western China

Researchers surveyed microplastic abundance and polymer types in agricultural soils across multiple counties in Shaanxi Province, northwestern China, finding widespread contamination correlated with agricultural activity intensity and plastic mulch film use.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 459 citations
Article Tier 2

The abundance, characteristics and distribution of microplastics (MPs) in farmland soil—Based on research in China

This review analyzed microplastic contamination in farmland soil across China and found that fertilizer use and plastic mulch film are the biggest contributors, increasing soil microplastic levels by 170% and 232% respectively. The most common types found were polyethylene and polypropylene fragments and fibers. These findings are concerning because microplastics in farm soil can be taken up by crops and enter the human food supply.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 92 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Contamination in Urban, Farmland and Desert Environments along a Highway in Southern Xinjiang, China

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination along a highway in arid Xinjiang, China, finding pollution across urban, farmland, and desert environments, with polyester and polyethylene being the dominant polymer types and concentrations highest near urban areas.

2022 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 28 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence characteristics and risk assessment of microplastics in agricultural soils in the loess hilly gully area of Yan' an, China

Researchers measured microplastic levels in agricultural soil, water, and fertilizer in a farming region of central China and found an average of about 4,500 particles per kilogram of soil. Over 90% of the particles were smaller than 100 micrometers, and the main types were polyethylene and PET from sources like plastic mulch and compost. The findings show that farming practices are introducing significant microplastic contamination into the soil where food is grown.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 45 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution characteristics of soil microplastics and their impact on soil physicochemical properties in agricultural areas of the North China plain

Microplastics are accumulating across agricultural soils of the North China Plain, with this study finding moderate-to-low abundance across multiple land use types and detecting that plastic particles affect soil texture, bulk density, and water-holding capacity. Altered soil physical properties from microplastic contamination could impair crop growth and soil fertility over time, with implications for food security.

2024 Environmental Science Processes & Impacts 3 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 Sustainability 37 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

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

The microplastics distribution characteristics and their impact on soil physicochemical properties and bacterial communities in food legumes farmland in northern China

Researchers surveyed farmland soil across five provinces in northern China and found microplastic contamination ranging from 1,600 to over 36,000 particles per kilogram of soil. Most of the microplastics were small fibers and fragments, primarily from agricultural plastic film and organic fertilizer use. The study found that microplastic presence altered soil properties and shifted bacterial community composition, suggesting these particles may affect soil health in food-growing regions.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 26 citations