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The spatio-temporal variability of soil microplastic distribution and erosion-induced microplastic export under extreme rainfall event using sediment fingerprinting and 7Be in intensive agricultural catchment

  • 0Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China.
Journal of Hazardous Materials +

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February 4, 2025

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February 4, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Soil erosion in intensive agriculture releases microplastics (MPs) into water bodies. Land use changes significantly impact MP distribution and export, highlighting the need for targeted erosion control strategies.

Area Of Science

  • Environmental Science
  • Soil Science
  • Ecotoxicology

Background

  • Intensive agriculture contributes to soil microplastic (MP) accumulation and erosion, impacting water quality.
  • Understanding MP occurrence and migration at the catchment scale, especially during erosion events, is crucial but limited.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To investigate the spatio-temporal distribution of soil MPs.
  • To quantify erosion-induced MP export loads under extreme rainfall.
  • To identify sources of sediment and MPs in an agricultural catchment.

Main Methods

  • Field sampling across different land use types.
  • Analysis of microplastic abundance, size, and polymer types (polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene).
  • Stable isotope analysis (δ13C) and Beryllium-7 to trace sediment sources and MP export.

Main Results

  • Microplastic abundance peaked in November 2022, with highest concentrations in cropland converted from forest (C(F)) and crop farmland (C).
  • The majority of MPs were smaller than 500 μm.
  • Cropland (C) and cropland converted from forest (C(F)) were identified as primary sediment sources, contributing significantly to MP export loads.

Conclusions

  • Land use changes are a primary driver of soil MP distribution and erosion-induced export.
  • Effective catchment erosion control and MP pollution prevention strategies must focus on altered land use practices in intensive agricultural systems.

Keywords: