Articles | Volume 8, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-31-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-31-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Original research article
| 
19 Jan 2022
Original research article |
| 19 Jan 2022
| 19 Jan 2022
Are agricultural plastic covers a source of plastic debris in soil? A first screening study
Zacharias Steinmetz
iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, Group of Environmental and Soil Chemistry, University of Koblenz–Landau, Fortstraße 7, 76829 Landau, Germany
Paul Löffler
iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, Group of Environmental and Soil Chemistry, University of Koblenz–Landau, Fortstraße 7, 76829 Landau, Germany
Silvia Eichhöfer
iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, Group of Environmental and Soil Chemistry, University of Koblenz–Landau, Fortstraße 7, 76829 Landau, Germany
Jan David
iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, Group of Environmental and Soil Chemistry, University of Koblenz–Landau, Fortstraße 7, 76829 Landau, Germany
Katherine Muñoz
iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, Group of Organic and Ecological Chemistry, University of Koblenz–Landau, Fortstraße 7, 76829 Landau, Germany
Gabriele E. Schaumann
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, Group of Environmental and Soil Chemistry, University of Koblenz–Landau, Fortstraße 7, 76829 Landau, Germany
Viewed
Total article views: 6,267 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Cumulative views and downloads
(calculated since 30 Aug 2021)
| HTML | XML | Total | BibTeX | EndNote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,676 | 1,469 | 122 | 6,267 | 140 | 175 |
- HTML: 4,676
- PDF: 1,469
- XML: 122
- Total: 6,267
- BibTeX: 140
- EndNote: 175
Total article views: 4,975 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Cumulative views and downloads
(calculated since 19 Jan 2022)
| HTML | XML | Total | BibTeX | EndNote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,808 | 1,068 | 99 | 4,975 | 124 | 158 |
- HTML: 3,808
- PDF: 1,068
- XML: 99
- Total: 4,975
- BibTeX: 124
- EndNote: 158
Total article views: 1,292 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Cumulative views and downloads
(calculated since 30 Aug 2021)
| HTML | XML | Total | BibTeX | EndNote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 868 | 401 | 23 | 1,292 | 16 | 17 |
- HTML: 868
- PDF: 401
- XML: 23
- Total: 1,292
- BibTeX: 16
- EndNote: 17
Viewed (geographical distribution)
Total article views: 6,267 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Thereof 5,988 with geography defined
and 279 with unknown origin.
Total article views: 4,975 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Thereof 4,755 with geography defined
and 220 with unknown origin.
Total article views: 1,292 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Thereof 1,233 with geography defined
and 59 with unknown origin.
| Country | # | Views | % |
|---|
| Country | # | Views | % |
|---|
| Country | # | Views | % |
|---|
| Total: | 0 |
| HTML: | 0 |
| PDF: | 0 |
| XML: | 0 |
- 1
1
| Total: | 0 |
| HTML: | 0 |
| PDF: | 0 |
| XML: | 0 |
- 1
1
| Total: | 0 |
| HTML: | 0 |
| PDF: | 0 |
| XML: | 0 |
- 1
1
Cited
34 citations as recorded by crossref.
- POSS(epoxy)8 reinforced poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/lignin biodegradable films: Fabrication, enhanced mechanical properties and UV aging resistance J. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127921
- Novel strategies for the determination of plastic additives derived from agricultural plastics in soil using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) D. Dvorakova et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174492
- Systematic development of extraction methods for quantitative microplastics analysis in soils using metal-doped plastics A. Tophinke et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119933
- Visible intruders: Tracing (micro-) plastic in organic fertilizers D. Thomas & E. Bloem https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174311
- Method Validation: Extraction of Microplastics from Organic Fertilisers D. Ciréderf Boulant et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments12050143
- Coarse microplastic accumulation patterns in agricultural soils during two decades of different urban composts application G. Colombini et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125076
- Microplastic in long-term soil monitoring: first spatial and temporal data on plastics in agricultural topsoils C. Weber et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-023-03663-z
- Into the Nanograms─Sensitive Detection of Microplastics in Passively Sampled Indoor Air Using F-Splitless Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry W. Pipkin et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestair.3c00035
- Potential impact of polyethylene microplastics on the growth of water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica F.): Endophyte and rhizosphere effects F. Yu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138737
- Plasticulture detection at the country scale by combining multispectral and SAR satellite data A. Fabrizi et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93658-2
- Effect of Dry Soil Aggregate Size on Microplastic Distribution and Its Implications for Microplastic Emissions Induced by Wind Erosion M. Yang et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.2c00338
- Utilizing Environmentally Friendly Techniques for the Sustainable Control of Plant Pathogens: A Review M. Cucu et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071551
- Plastic Emissions from Mulch Film and Abatement Measures — a Model-Based Assessment for Germany M. Henseler https://doi.org/10.1007/s10666-023-09944-8
- Assessment of microplastic contamination and associated risks in agricultural soils: a case study along the National Highway-66, Goa, India R. Chodankar & N. Kalangutkar https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-026-15186-4
- Vertical distribution of microplastics in an agricultural soil after long-term treatment with sewage sludge and mineral fertiliser W. Heinze et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124343
- Microplastic abundance and heavy metal contamination in agricultural soil with the wastewater treatment plants effluent; Tehran, Iran M. Mozaffarghadirli et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-024-11752-6
- Mass spectrometry-based techniques for determination of microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems Q. Huang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2024.117853
- Baseline assessment of potentially toxic elements in soil from the surface of disposed personal protective equipment in the world longest natural sea beaches M. Islam et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-025-12477-w
- MS and GC–MS Analytical Methods for On-Line Thermally Induced Evolved Gas Analysis (OLTI-EGA) G. Gullifa et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors13070258
- On-farm practices shape microplastics pathways and risks in agricultural soils: A review based on synthesis of global field data T. Roy et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enceco.2025.09.015
- Phytotoxicity of polystyrene, polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) R. Shi et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115441
- Global perspective of ecological risk of plastic pollution on soil microbial communities B. Yang et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1468592
- A Simple Method for Quantification of Polyhydroxybutyrate and Polylactic Acid Micro-Bioplastics in Soils by Evolved Gas Analysis J. Fojt et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27061898
- Distribution characteristics and correlation of macro- and microplastics under long-term plastic mulching in northwest China J. Cao et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2023.105738
- Historical and current occurrence of microplastics in water and sediment of a Finnish lake affected by WWTP effluents M. Viitala et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120298
- Assessment of cryogenic pretreatment for simulating environmental weathering in the formation of surrogate micro- and nanoplastics from agricultural mulch film A. Astner et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161867
- Revealing the role of land-use features on macrolitter distribution in Swiss freshwaters L. Schreyers et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124911
- Microbiome engineering to palliate microbial dysbiosis occurring in agroecosystems R. Darriaut et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micres.2025.128178
- Plastic Mulch Films in Agriculture: Their Use, Environmental Problems, Recycling and Alternatives K. Salama & M. Geyer https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10100179
- Plastic debris in plastic-mulched soil—a screening study from western Germany Z. Steinmetz & H. Schröder https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13781
- Plastic Quantification and Polyethylene Overestimation in Agricultural Soil Using Large-Volume Pyrolysis and TD-GC-MS/MS R. Bartnick et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c10101
- iMulch: an investigation of the influence of polymers on a terrestrial ecosystem using the example of mulch films used in agriculture C. Wolf et al. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-024-01050-0
- The factors affecting microplastic pollution in farmland soil for different agricultural uses: A case study of China L. Cai et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2024.107972
- Different mulch films, consistent results: soil fauna responses to microplastic A. Weltmeyer & M. Roß-Nickoll https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-024-13096-x
34 citations as recorded by crossref.
- POSS(epoxy)8 reinforced poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/lignin biodegradable films: Fabrication, enhanced mechanical properties and UV aging resistance J. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127921
- Novel strategies for the determination of plastic additives derived from agricultural plastics in soil using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) D. Dvorakova et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174492
- Systematic development of extraction methods for quantitative microplastics analysis in soils using metal-doped plastics A. Tophinke et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119933
- Visible intruders: Tracing (micro-) plastic in organic fertilizers D. Thomas & E. Bloem https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174311
- Method Validation: Extraction of Microplastics from Organic Fertilisers D. Ciréderf Boulant et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments12050143
- Coarse microplastic accumulation patterns in agricultural soils during two decades of different urban composts application G. Colombini et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125076
- Microplastic in long-term soil monitoring: first spatial and temporal data on plastics in agricultural topsoils C. Weber et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-023-03663-z
- Into the Nanograms─Sensitive Detection of Microplastics in Passively Sampled Indoor Air Using F-Splitless Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry W. Pipkin et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestair.3c00035
- Potential impact of polyethylene microplastics on the growth of water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica F.): Endophyte and rhizosphere effects F. Yu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138737
- Plasticulture detection at the country scale by combining multispectral and SAR satellite data A. Fabrizi et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93658-2
- Effect of Dry Soil Aggregate Size on Microplastic Distribution and Its Implications for Microplastic Emissions Induced by Wind Erosion M. Yang et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.2c00338
- Utilizing Environmentally Friendly Techniques for the Sustainable Control of Plant Pathogens: A Review M. Cucu et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071551
- Plastic Emissions from Mulch Film and Abatement Measures — a Model-Based Assessment for Germany M. Henseler https://doi.org/10.1007/s10666-023-09944-8
- Assessment of microplastic contamination and associated risks in agricultural soils: a case study along the National Highway-66, Goa, India R. Chodankar & N. Kalangutkar https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-026-15186-4
- Vertical distribution of microplastics in an agricultural soil after long-term treatment with sewage sludge and mineral fertiliser W. Heinze et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124343
- Microplastic abundance and heavy metal contamination in agricultural soil with the wastewater treatment plants effluent; Tehran, Iran M. Mozaffarghadirli et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-024-11752-6
- Mass spectrometry-based techniques for determination of microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems Q. Huang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2024.117853
- Baseline assessment of potentially toxic elements in soil from the surface of disposed personal protective equipment in the world longest natural sea beaches M. Islam et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-025-12477-w
- MS and GC–MS Analytical Methods for On-Line Thermally Induced Evolved Gas Analysis (OLTI-EGA) G. Gullifa et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors13070258
- On-farm practices shape microplastics pathways and risks in agricultural soils: A review based on synthesis of global field data T. Roy et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enceco.2025.09.015
- Phytotoxicity of polystyrene, polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) R. Shi et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115441
- Global perspective of ecological risk of plastic pollution on soil microbial communities B. Yang et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1468592
- A Simple Method for Quantification of Polyhydroxybutyrate and Polylactic Acid Micro-Bioplastics in Soils by Evolved Gas Analysis J. Fojt et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27061898
- Distribution characteristics and correlation of macro- and microplastics under long-term plastic mulching in northwest China J. Cao et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2023.105738
- Historical and current occurrence of microplastics in water and sediment of a Finnish lake affected by WWTP effluents M. Viitala et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120298
- Assessment of cryogenic pretreatment for simulating environmental weathering in the formation of surrogate micro- and nanoplastics from agricultural mulch film A. Astner et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161867
- Revealing the role of land-use features on macrolitter distribution in Swiss freshwaters L. Schreyers et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124911
- Microbiome engineering to palliate microbial dysbiosis occurring in agroecosystems R. Darriaut et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micres.2025.128178
- Plastic Mulch Films in Agriculture: Their Use, Environmental Problems, Recycling and Alternatives K. Salama & M. Geyer https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10100179
- Plastic debris in plastic-mulched soil—a screening study from western Germany Z. Steinmetz & H. Schröder https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13781
- Plastic Quantification and Polyethylene Overestimation in Agricultural Soil Using Large-Volume Pyrolysis and TD-GC-MS/MS R. Bartnick et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c10101
- iMulch: an investigation of the influence of polymers on a terrestrial ecosystem using the example of mulch films used in agriculture C. Wolf et al. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-024-01050-0
- The factors affecting microplastic pollution in farmland soil for different agricultural uses: A case study of China L. Cai et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2024.107972
- Different mulch films, consistent results: soil fauna responses to microplastic A. Weltmeyer & M. Roß-Nickoll https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-024-13096-x
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 28 May 2026
Short summary
To scrutinize the contribution of agricultural plastic covers to plastic pollution, we quantified soil-associated plastic debris (≤ 2 mm) in and around agricultural fields covered with different plastics. PP fleeces and 50 µm thick PE films did not emit significant amounts of plastic debris into soil during their 4-month use. However, thinner and perforated PE foils (40 µm) were associated with elevated PE contents of up to 35 mg kg−1. Their long-term use may thus favor plastic accumulation.
To scrutinize the contribution of agricultural plastic covers to plastic pollution, we...
