We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Revealing the Full Picture of Agricultural Plastic Legacy Pollution: Toward “Zero‐Leakage” Management in Chinese Farmlands
ClearPotential 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.
Contribution of mulch film to microplastics in agricultural soil and surface water in China
Researchers developed a framework to quantify how much agricultural mulch film contributes to microplastic contamination in farmland soil and surface water in China, measuring the ratio of mulch-derived particles to total microplastics from all sources.
Sustainable Plasticulture in Chinese Agriculture: a Review of Challenges and Routes to Achieving Long-term Food and Ecosecurity
This review examines the challenges of plasticulture in Chinese agriculture, where macro-, micro-, and nanoplastic pollution from mulch films threatens long-term soil health and crop production. The authors propose holistic solutions targeting plastic production, use, and waste management to protect food security.
The Use and Recycling of Agricultural Plastic Mulch in China: A Review
This review examines the widespread use of plastic mulch in Chinese agriculture, where adoption ranks first globally, along with the severe farmland pollution caused by residual plastic film. Researchers summarize the types of mulch used, the environmental damage from accumulation in soil, and current recycling practices. The study discusses government policies and farmer practices aimed at addressing plastic mulch pollution and offers reference points for other countries facing similar challenges.
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.
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.
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.
Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Residual Film in Soil Profile under Continuous Film Mulching
Eight years of continuous plastic mulch film use on Chinese farmland steadily increased the number of plastic fragments in soil, with smaller pieces migrating progressively deeper over time even as total plastic mass slowly declined. The finding that fragments accumulate below 10 cm — beyond the reach of most tillage — highlights how agricultural microplastic pollution can become entrenched and difficult to remediate.
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.
Assessment of microplastic ecological risk and environmental carrying capacity of agricultural soils based on integrated characterization: A case study
Researchers assessed microplastic pollution in agricultural soils of the Tarim River Basin in China, finding concentrations ranging from 0 to 4,000 particles per kilogram. Polyethylene and polypropylene from agricultural mulch films and drip irrigation were the dominant plastics found. Early warning models predict that polyethylene and polypropylene levels may approach environmental carrying capacity thresholds in the near future, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to manage plastic pollution in farming regions.
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.
Potential sources and occurrence of macro-plastics and microplastics pollution in farmland soils: A typical case of China
This study provides the first comprehensive survey of plastic pollution in Chinese farmland soil, analyzing data from 163 publications covering 728 sites. The average microplastic abundance was 4,537 particles per kilogram of dry soil, with agricultural plastic films and organic waste being the biggest sources. Since China is the world's largest user of agricultural plastics, these findings highlight how farming practices can lead to significant microplastic contamination of the soil that grows our food.
Effects of agricultural land types on microplastic abundance: A nationwide meta-analysis in China
Meta-analysis of 321 observations across Chinese agricultural soils found that vegetable-growing soils had the highest microplastic contamination, followed by orchards, cropland, and grassland. Agricultural film mulch significantly increased soil microplastic levels, especially in orchards, while higher population density and economic activity correlated with increased contamination across all land types.
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.
The agricultural plastic paradox: Feeding more, harming more?
This review examines the trade-off between the agricultural benefits of plastic film mulch, which helps feed an estimated 85 million additional people in China alone, and the growing microplastic contamination it causes in farmland soils. Researchers found that current studies on the effects of mulch-derived microplastics use inconsistent methods and often unrealistically high concentrations, making it difficult to assess the true risks. The study calls for standardized research approaches to better understand whether the agricultural benefits of plastic mulch outweigh its environmental costs.
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.
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.
Progress of Microplastic Pollution in Vegetable Land in Guanzhong Plain Area
This study reviews the current state of microplastic pollution in vegetable fields across the Guanzhong Plain in China, where widespread use of agricultural mulch film has contributed to soil contamination. Researchers analyzed the key factors affecting microplastic accumulation and migration in agricultural soils. The study proposes targeted prevention measures to protect the ecological environment and ensure safe vegetable production in the region.
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.
The Plastic Age: River Pollution in China from Crop Production and Urbanization
Researchers developed an integrated model estimating that 716 kilotons of plastics entered Chinese rivers annually from crop production mulching, sewage systems, and mismanaged solid waste, with agricultural plastic films being a major but often overlooked source.