Agricultural plastics as a potential threat to food security, health, and environment through soil pollution by microplastics: Problem definition

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 892, P. 164533 - 164533

Published: June 5, 2023

The dynamic expansion of the Agricultural Plastics (AP) use has allowed for improved agricultural products quality, yields, and enhanced sustainability along with multiple benefits Agrifood sector. present work investigates relationship AP characteristics, End-of-Life (EoL) practices degradation potential generation micro-, nanoparticles (MNP) in soil. composition, functionalities, behaviour contemporary conventional biodegradable categories are systematically analysed. Their market dynamics briefly presented. risk conditions role soil pollution possible MNP analysed based on a qualitative assessment approach. classified from high to low-risk respect their probability contamination by worst-best scenarios. Proposed alternative sustainable solutions eliminate risks presented each category. Characteristic quantitative estimations generated selected case studies reported literature. significance various indirect sources is allowing appropriate mitigation strategies policies be designed implemented.

Language: Английский

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A critical review of biodegradable plastic mulch films in agriculture: Definitions, scientific background and potential impacts

TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 170, P. 117391 - 117391

Published: Nov. 4, 2023

Biodegradable plastic mulches (BDMs) can offer an eco-sustainable alternative to conventional polyethene (PE) mulch films in agriculture. While PE must be removed after use, BDMs are tilled into the soil, where they expected biodegrade. However, their long-term impacts on soil ecosystem (functions, processes, and microbial communities) remain unclear. This review critically analyses evidence about potential of as a possible eco-friendly traditional mulches. It updates available literature fate agriculture ecosystems, pinpointing crucial aspects that deserve further investigation. The combined findings indicated BDM incorporation could stimulate activity may ultimately affect organic matter dynamics. using should linked risks incomplete biodegradation by releasing residual bio-microplastics, bio-nanoparticles additives. We here highlighted gaps knowledge (i.e. impact ecology risk toxicity) need for studies natural environmental conditions well field experiments evaluate actual health agroecosystem sustainability. Moreover, there still needs more clarity standards covering under which biodegradable biodegrade ensure safe end-of-life.

Language: Английский

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Natural polysaccharides and proteins-based films for potential food packaging and mulch applications: A review

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 261, P. 129628 - 129628

Published: Jan. 24, 2024

Language: Английский

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Towards Sustainable Agroecosystems: A Life Cycle Assessment Review of Soil-biodegradable and Traditional Plastic Mulch Films

Environmental Science and Ecotechnology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 24, P. 100541 - 100541

Published: Feb. 12, 2025

The increasing use of traditional agricultural plastic mulch films (PMs) has raised significant environmental concerns, prompting the search for sustainable alternatives. Soil-biodegradable (BDMs) are often proposed as eco-friendly replacements; however, their widespread adoption remains contentious. This review employs a comparative life cycle assessment perspective to evaluate impact PMs and BDMs across production, use, end-of-life stages, providing strategies mitigate on agroecosystems. generally exhibit lower energy greenhouse gas emissions than but contribute greater land-use demands. Reported eutrophication acidification potentials less consistent, varying based feedstock types scope BDM, well management PM. burden both is influenced by stage, polymer composition, farming practices, additives, film thickness, local climatic conditions. manufacturing stage major contributor BDMs, despite shared benefits crop yields. However, post-use impacts more pronounced PMs, driven strategy adsorbed waste content. While starch-based offer alternative uncertainties regarding residence time BDM residues in soil (albeit shorter PM residues) effects health, coupled with higher production costs, impede adoption. For end-of-life, biodegradation recommended. Energy material recovery options crucial mechanical recycling preferred, although it requires addressing human toxicity. discusses these complexities within specific contexts provides actionable insights guide integration into practices.

Language: Английский

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Increasing concentration of pure micro- and macro-LDPE and PP plastic negatively affect crop biomass, nutrient cycling, and microbial biomass

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 458, P. 131932 - 131932

Published: June 26, 2023

Over the last 50 years, intense use of agricultural plastic in form mulch films has led to an accumulation soil, creating a legacy fields. Plastic often contains additives, however it is still largely unknown how these compounds affect soil properties, potentially influencing or masking effects itself. Therefore, aim this study was investigate pure plastics varying sizes and concentrations, improve our understanding plastic-only interactions within soil-plant mesocosms. Maize (Zea mays L.) grown over eight weeks following addition micro macro low-density polyethylene polypropylene at increasing concentrations (equivalent 1, 10, 25, years film use) on key plant properties were measured. We found effect both microplastic health negligible short-term (1 <10 years). However, ≥ 10 application for types resulted clear negative growth microbial biomass. This provides vital insight into microplastics properties.

Language: Английский

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From Lab to Field: Biofertilizers in the 21st Century

Horticulturae, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9(12), P. 1306 - 1306

Published: Dec. 5, 2023

Nowadays, legal regulations and social environmental concerns are converging towards the promotion of more sustainable agriculture based on organic compounds soil preservation. These trends fuelling growth biofertilizers, which beneficial preparations containing microorganisms able to enhance a plant’s ability uptake essential nutrients. Their production commercialization encompass multitude critical steps deeply reviewed in this manuscript through an exhaustive overview key stages, such as microorganism selection, new sources, upscaling field trials, encapsulation, current application systems regulatory considerations. However, although economical expectations promising, several methodological, environmental, undermining their advancement. The redefinition international frameworks, enhancement trending technologies, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration across sectors players promote biofertilizers eco-friendly cost-effective alternatives chemical fertilizers.

Language: Английский

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Effect of degradable microplastics, biochar and their coexistence on soil organic matter decomposition: A critical review

TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 118082 - 118082

Published: Nov. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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Microbioplastics sources, mobility, impact, and management: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 3, 2025

Language: Английский

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Quantification of Microplastics in Agricultural Soils by total organic carbon -solid sample combustion analysis

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 490, P. 137841 - 137841

Published: March 5, 2025

Accurate quantification of microplastics (MPs) in soils is a significant challenge due to the complex nature organo-mineral matrix. Fine mineral particles and organic matter often interfere with efficiency extraction, identification MPs from soils. Here, an optimized MP extraction method proposed, using total carbon analyser-solid sample combustion unit (TOC-SSM) analysis. The approach entails field survey, digestion by Piranha solution, density separation, quantification. This achieves high recovery rate 97.39 ± 14.25 (SE) % for sized between 300 600 µm, 94.80 13.48 less than µm spiked soil as samples. optimised then applied strawberry farm that use plastic mulch films quantify contamination levels. Our results indicate concentrations 12.24 3.65 mg kg-1 (for 300-2000 size) 2.62 0.66 smaller µm). With improved simplicity ability provide actual weight plastics MPs, this work offers potential assessing low-density northeastern Australian agricultural dominant contamination, specifically polyethylene (PE).

Language: Английский

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Advancing agriculture through bioresource technology: The role of cellulose-based biodegradable mulches

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 255, P. 128006 - 128006

Published: Nov. 16, 2023

Language: Английский

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