Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Residual Film in Soil Profile under Continuous Film Mulching

Xiaoting Yang, Wei Fan, Jinggui Wu (), Yan Lv, Wenyue Zhu and Hongguang Cai ()
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Xiaoting Yang: Collage of Resources and Environment Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Wei Fan: Collage of Resources and Environment Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Jinggui Wu: Collage of Resources and Environment Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Yan Lv: Soil and Fertilizer Station of Jilin Province, Changchun 130033, China
Wenyue Zhu: Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jilin City 132011, China
Hongguang Cai: Institute of Agricultural Environment and Resources, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130033, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 21, 1-10

Abstract: Plastic pollution in farmland soil has become a significant concern for scientists studying farmland ecosystems. However, the current research focus on the environmental impacts of plastics in soil overlooks crucial factors such as sources, distribution, and persistence. In this study, we examined the distribution of residual film after eight years of film mulching in mid-April 2018. We also assessed changes in spatial distribution from 2018 to 2020. Our findings reveal that eight years of film mulching significantly increased the quantity of agricultural mulch film residues in the soil. The size of residual film fragments varied from 0.25 cm 2 to 109 cm 2 , and the average size, number, and quantity of residues were influenced by soil depth. There was a noticeable downward trend in the quantity of agricultural mulch film residues, decreasing annually by 0.525 kg·ha −1 . In contrast, the number of residual films showed an average annual growth rate of 2.13 × 10 5 p·ha −1 . Importantly, we observed a substantial accumulation of residual film fragments below the 10 cm soil layer over time. Fragments ranging from 1–5 cm 2 were the most abundant and gradually accumulated in deeper soil layers, enhancing mulching film recovery efficiency. This study provides valuable insights into the influence of mulch cycles on farmland soil profiles, identifying the key locations and size-to-shape ratios of residual films. These findings serve as a theoretical foundation for implementing effective measures to control mulch film pollution in agricultural practices.

Keywords: plastic pollution; farmland soil; residual film; distribution characteristics; mulch cycle (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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