Quantification and Analysis of Microplastics in Farmland Soils: Characterization, Sources, and Pathways

Hoda Fakour, Shang-Lien Lo, Nathan Thadeo Yoashi, Angelbetter Marselian Massao, Nelson Naboth Lema, Fezile Bethusile Mkhontfo, Patrick Chris Jomalema, Nasra Shabani Jumanne, Bright Hubert Mbuya, James Travor Mtweve and Moslem Imani
Additional contact information
Hoda Fakour: International College of Practice and Education for the Environment, International Program for Sustainable Development, Chang Jung Christian University, No.1, Changda Rd., Gueiren District, Tainan City 71101, Taiwan
Shang-Lien Lo: Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, No.1, Sec.4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei 106, Taiwan
Nathan Thadeo Yoashi: International College of Practice and Education for the Environment, International Program for Sustainable Development, Chang Jung Christian University, No.1, Changda Rd., Gueiren District, Tainan City 71101, Taiwan
Angelbetter Marselian Massao: International College of Practice and Education for the Environment, International Program for Sustainable Development, Chang Jung Christian University, No.1, Changda Rd., Gueiren District, Tainan City 71101, Taiwan
Nelson Naboth Lema: International College of Practice and Education for the Environment, International Program for Sustainable Development, Chang Jung Christian University, No.1, Changda Rd., Gueiren District, Tainan City 71101, Taiwan
Fezile Bethusile Mkhontfo: International College of Practice and Education for the Environment, International Program for Sustainable Development, Chang Jung Christian University, No.1, Changda Rd., Gueiren District, Tainan City 71101, Taiwan
Patrick Chris Jomalema: International College of Practice and Education for the Environment, International Program for Sustainable Development, Chang Jung Christian University, No.1, Changda Rd., Gueiren District, Tainan City 71101, Taiwan
Nasra Shabani Jumanne: International College of Practice and Education for the Environment, International Program for Sustainable Development, Chang Jung Christian University, No.1, Changda Rd., Gueiren District, Tainan City 71101, Taiwan
Bright Hubert Mbuya: International College of Practice and Education for the Environment, International Program for Sustainable Development, Chang Jung Christian University, No.1, Changda Rd., Gueiren District, Tainan City 71101, Taiwan
James Travor Mtweve: International College of Practice and Education for the Environment, International Program for Sustainable Development, Chang Jung Christian University, No.1, Changda Rd., Gueiren District, Tainan City 71101, Taiwan
Moslem Imani: Department of Geomatics Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan City 701, Taiwan

Agriculture, 2021, vol. 11, issue 4, 1-16

Abstract: While microplastics (MPs) have been identified extensively in aquatic ecosystems, their presence remains largely unexplored in soil ecosystems. Considering the potential effect of MPs on soil biodiversity and function, the present study investigated and analyzed the abundance and characteristics of MPs in soil profile. Taking soil samples from Tainan city farms, as one of the hotspots of agricultural practices in Taiwan, concentrations, types, compositions, pathways, and sources of MPs in farmland soils were quantified. Results showed that MPs were found in all soil samples in different depths ranging from 12–117 items/m 2 and MP abundance in farms adjacent to the suburban roads was about three times more than in enclosed farms separated from roads. Fragment and fibers were the main forms and low-density polyethylene was the dominant polymer of detected MPs. Historical land use, extensive application of plastic mulch, and utilization of fruit protection foams were identified as the main sources of MPs in farmlands. This study identifies the presence of MP emissions in farmland soils and investigates its features, which could serve as a framework for future studies into the ecological effects of MPs in the terrestrial environment.

Keywords: microplastics; farmland; soil; polyethylene; fibers; fragments; foams (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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