Impact of plastic mulch film debris on soil physicochemical and hydrological properties. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qi, Yueling; Beriot, Nicolas; Gort, Gerrit; Huerta Lwanga, Esperanza; Gooren, Harm; Yang, Xiaomei; Geissen, Violette
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 266:Part 3(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Plastic pollution -- Microplastics -- Biodegradable plastic -- Soil quality -- Agricultural soil; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115097
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: The plastic mulch films used in agriculture are considered to be a major source of the plastic residues found in soil. Mulching with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is widely practiced and the resulting macro- and microscopic plastic residues in agricultural soil have aroused concerns for years. Over the past decades, a variety of biodegradable (Bio) plastics have been developed in the hope of reducing plastic contamination of the terrestrial ecosystem. However, the impact of these Bio plastics in agroecosystems have not been sufficiently studied. Therefore, we investigated the impact of macro (around 5 mm) and micro (<1 mm) sized plastic debris from LDPE and one type of starch-based Bio mulch film on soil physicochemical and hydrological properties. We used environmentally relevant concentrations of plastics, ranging from 0 to 2% (w/w), identified by field studies and literature review. We studied the effects of the plastic residue on a sandy soil for one month in a laboratory experiment. The bulk density, porosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity, field capacity and soil water repellency were altered significantly in the presence of the four kinds of plastic debris, while pH, electrical conductivity and aggregate stability were not substantially affected. Overall, our research provides clear experimental evidence that microplastics affect soil properties. The type, size and content of plastic debris as well as the interactions between these three factors played complex roles in the variations of the measured soil parameters. Living in a plastic era, it is crucial to conduct further interdisciplinary studies in order to have a comprehensive understanding of plastic debris in soil and agroecosystems. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: This study reported changes of soil properties induced by plastic debris. Type, size and content of plastic debris have distinct effects on soil parameters. The presence of LDPE debris decreased field capacity, while biodegradable plastic debris increased it. Plastic debris did not alter soil pH and electrical conductivity in this study. Abstract : Both LDPE and biodegradable plastic mulch film debris showed significant effects on soil physicochemical and hydrological properties.