Pollution and Distribution of Microplastics in Grassland Soils of Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China
Microplastics (MPs) are plastic fragments with particle sizes smaller than 5 mm that have potentially harmful effects on ecosystems and human health. The soil environment is not only the source but also the sink of MPs. Thus, it is necessary to fully understand the pollution and distribution of MPs...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Toxics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/1/86 |
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| author | Sumei Li Ziyi Li Jun Xue Sha Chen Hanbing Li Jian Ji Yixuan Liang Jiaying Fei Weiyi Jiang |
| author_facet | Sumei Li Ziyi Li Jun Xue Sha Chen Hanbing Li Jian Ji Yixuan Liang Jiaying Fei Weiyi Jiang |
| author_sort | Sumei Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Microplastics (MPs) are plastic fragments with particle sizes smaller than 5 mm that have potentially harmful effects on ecosystems and human health. The soil environment is not only the source but also the sink of MPs. Thus, it is necessary to fully understand the pollution and distribution of MPs in soils. In this study, Qinghai Province, northeast of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, was selected as the research area, and 22 soil samples were collected and analyzed to study the levels and distribution characteristics of MPs in grassland soils. MPs were obtained from the soils by using density separation, and a laser confocal micro Raman spectrometer was used for MP identification. The results showed that MPs were detected in all of the soil samples. The total abundances of MPs ranged from 1125 to 1329 items/kg, with a mean abundance of 1202 items/kg. Various types, shapes, sizes, and colors of MPs were observed. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was the dominant polymer in all the grassland soil samples. The size range of 10–50 μm accounted for 50% of all identified MPs. Pellets were the dominant MP shape, and colored MPs accounted for 64% of all MPs. The results revealed the presence of large quantities of MPs in the grassland soils of remote areas as well. This study can act as a reference for further studies of MPs in terrestrial systems. At the end of the paper, the prospects and suggestions for pollution control by soil MPs are given. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:06:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a346d2e739914524842d92ddf1affa16 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2305-6304 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:06:24Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Toxics |
| spelling | doaj.art-a346d2e739914524842d92ddf1affa162023-12-01T00:56:15ZengMDPI AGToxics2305-63042023-01-011118610.3390/toxics11010086Pollution and Distribution of Microplastics in Grassland Soils of Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, ChinaSumei Li0Ziyi Li1Jun Xue2Sha Chen3Hanbing Li4Jian Ji5Yixuan Liang6Jiaying Fei7Weiyi Jiang8Department of Environment, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, ChinaDepartment of Environment, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, ChinaSolid Waste and Chemicals Management Center, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing 100029, ChinaDepartment of Environment, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, ChinaDepartment of Environment, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, ChinaDepartment of Environment, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, ChinaDepartment of Environment, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, ChinaDepartment of Environment, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, ChinaGraduate School of International Study, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of KoreaMicroplastics (MPs) are plastic fragments with particle sizes smaller than 5 mm that have potentially harmful effects on ecosystems and human health. The soil environment is not only the source but also the sink of MPs. Thus, it is necessary to fully understand the pollution and distribution of MPs in soils. In this study, Qinghai Province, northeast of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, was selected as the research area, and 22 soil samples were collected and analyzed to study the levels and distribution characteristics of MPs in grassland soils. MPs were obtained from the soils by using density separation, and a laser confocal micro Raman spectrometer was used for MP identification. The results showed that MPs were detected in all of the soil samples. The total abundances of MPs ranged from 1125 to 1329 items/kg, with a mean abundance of 1202 items/kg. Various types, shapes, sizes, and colors of MPs were observed. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was the dominant polymer in all the grassland soil samples. The size range of 10–50 μm accounted for 50% of all identified MPs. Pellets were the dominant MP shape, and colored MPs accounted for 64% of all MPs. The results revealed the presence of large quantities of MPs in the grassland soils of remote areas as well. This study can act as a reference for further studies of MPs in terrestrial systems. At the end of the paper, the prospects and suggestions for pollution control by soil MPs are given.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/1/86microplasticsgrassland soilpollutionQinghai–Tibet Plateaudistribution |
| spellingShingle | Sumei Li Ziyi Li Jun Xue Sha Chen Hanbing Li Jian Ji Yixuan Liang Jiaying Fei Weiyi Jiang Pollution and Distribution of Microplastics in Grassland Soils of Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China Toxics microplastics grassland soil pollution Qinghai–Tibet Plateau distribution |
| title | Pollution and Distribution of Microplastics in Grassland Soils of Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China |
| title_full | Pollution and Distribution of Microplastics in Grassland Soils of Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China |
| title_fullStr | Pollution and Distribution of Microplastics in Grassland Soils of Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pollution and Distribution of Microplastics in Grassland Soils of Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China |
| title_short | Pollution and Distribution of Microplastics in Grassland Soils of Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China |
| title_sort | pollution and distribution of microplastics in grassland soils of qinghai tibet plateau china |
| topic | microplastics grassland soil pollution Qinghai–Tibet Plateau distribution |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/1/86 |
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