对塑料污染的调查向内陆推进

概要

随着气候变化、人口增加对粮食生产的压力以及粮食安全的风险，以及塑料在农业中的使用率大大增加，研究陆地环境中的微塑料是极其重要的。但众所周知，土壤中的微塑料估计需要长达300年的时间才能完全降解。

研究表明，微塑料的存在改变了土壤的特性，如结构、持水能力和微生物群落等方面，而这种改变在一定程度上造成了农作物减产。

同样，农业土壤中的微塑料丰富多样，并且受到土地使用和耕作活动的影响，会对生活在土壤中的生物产生影响。

另外，农业土壤中的微塑料这种污染物会导致发芽率下降和种子生产的变化，这可能对粮食生产产生负面影响。

此外，温室塑料薄膜和灌溉管道是农业生产中常用的产品。这些塑料产品被留在田地里后经历磨损和太阳的降解，被分解成二次微塑料，无法清除。

Investigation into plastic pollution moves inland

A bundle of anthropogenic fibers found in UK soil. Credit: Ellie Harrison

New research highlights the increasing threat of microplastics to global farming and food production.

Scientists at Staffordshire University are driving research to understand the scale of plastic pollution in agricultural soils and its impact around the world.

Claire Gwinnett, Professor of Forensic and Environmental Science, explained that "we know a lot about microplastics in oceans and freshwater and we are starting to learn more about microplastics in the air, but we still know very little about microplastics in terrestrial environments."

"With climate change, the pressure of increasing populations on food production and risks to food security, it has become apparent that it is incredibly important that we look into this."

In recent years, the use of plastics in agriculture has increased significantly. However, microplastics in soil are estimated to take up to 300 years to completely degrade. It is believed that their presence alters soil characteristics such as its structure, water holding capacity, and microbial communities, and that microplastics are, in part, responsible for crop-reducing effects.

The Staffordshire Forensic Fibres and Microplastic Research Group has been undertaking various studies, including an international review into the pressures of plastic pollution in rural regions, which highlights the need for wider analysis of terrestrial microplastics to help reduce environmental and public health threats.

Professor Gwinnett says that "we know that microplastics in agricultural soils are abundant, varied, and are influenced by land use and farming activities. We know from a small number of studies that it can affect organisms living in the soil such as worms and springtails."

"Studies on the effect of microplastics on plants are even rarer but we also know that it impacts crops grown in these environments as well as livestock living there. What we need to know now is how much plastic there is and to better understand what effect this is having."

Ellie Harrison, a Ph.D. researcher in the Staffordshire Forensic Fibres and Microplastic Research Group, is currently conducting a series of studies on the effects of microplastics on common UK agricultural crops. She says that "research into the impacts of microplastics in the agricultural soils conducted at Staffordshire University has shown that this pollutant can cause a decrease in germination rate and changes to seed production which could have negative consequences for food production."

A recent study, conducted in partnership with Çukurova University, has investigated the amount of plastics derived from disposable greenhouse plastic films and irrigation pipes in agricultural soils in Turkey.

Professor Gwinnett says that "greenhouse films and irrigation piping are products commonly used in farming and we have the same plastic uses in the UK and across Europe. Instead of being removed, these plastic products are often left in fields where they experience wear and tear and degradation from the sun which breaks these plastics down into secondary microplastics."

"Our results show that from years and years of using these plastics, microplastics are accumulating in the soil and cannot be removed."

Soil samples were taken from 10 different locations in the Adana/Karataş region in Turkey. The number of micro-, meso-, macro- and megaplastics that was identified in soil where greenhouse film and irrigation piping was used, was about 47, 78, 17, and 1.2-times higher than in farmlands that did not use plastic, respectively. Findings indicated that residual plastics decreased in the soil where used plastics were removed after usage. The results aim to guide farmers in better management of plastics.

A further study with Çukurova University is investigating farmer practices and perceptions in Turkey to understand what the barriers are to taking up preventative measures or more sustainable approaches.

Staffordshire University has been conducting similar research in the UK in partnership with the National Farmers' Union (NFU); this study looks into the amount and types of microplastic in UK agricultural soils. This is the first of its kind in the UK and it aims to get a better understanding of the extent of microplastic pollution in farmland.

Professor Gwinnett added that "plastic usage in the agricultural sector may have worthy benefits in the short term, but the long-term effects cannot be ignored. We hope that our growing body of research can be used to inform decision makers and kickstart real change to safeguard soil health and the future of the farming."

Source:

Science X

Published on August 17, 2022

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