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Crop-dependent changes in water absorption of expanded polystyrene in soil environments
Shin Woong Kim1, Dokyung Kim1, Yooeun Chae1
1Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, South Korea.
Chemosphere
|December 15, 2018
Summary
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) in soil showed increased water absorption after mung bean and rice cultivation. However, crop type did not significantly affect cadmium adsorption or desorption by the EPS.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is increasingly found in soil environments.
- Understanding its interaction with soil and chemical transport is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of agricultural crops on the water absorption and cadmium adsorption/desorption properties of expanded polystyrene (EPS) in a soil system.
Main Methods:
- A plant bioassay was conducted using mung bean, lettuce, and rice grown in soil containing macro-sized EPS.
- EPS water absorption, cadmium adsorption, and desorption were measured after cultivation.
Main Results:
- EPS water absorption significantly increased after mung bean and rice cultivation compared to a no-crop control.
- Cadmium adsorption percentages ranged from 15-18% and did not differ significantly across crop conditions.
- Cadmium desorption showed minimal interaction with crop-dependent water absorption rates.
Conclusions:
- Crop cultivation influences EPS water absorption capacity in soil.
- EPS does not appear to act as a significant cadmium vector in this agricultural context.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate plastic-soil-chemical interactions.
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