Enrichment characteristics of microplastics in wind-eroded soils of mulched farmland and the adjacent grassland

doi:10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2024.00077

Journal of Desert Research ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (1): 94-102.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2024.00077

Enrichment characteristics of microplastics in wind-eroded soils of mulched farmland and the adjacent grassland

Chunlong Jiang^1a(), Hongye Jiang^1a, Linyue Dai^1a, Chen Chen^1a, Chenyu Zhao^1a, Zhongling Guo^1a^,^1b(), Jifeng Li^1a, Huiru Li^1a^,^1b, Xueyong Zou², Rende Wang³, Qing Li³, Na Zhou⁴, Yixiao Yuan³, Chunping Chang^1a^,^1b()

^1a.College of Geographical Sciences /, Hebei Normal University，Shijiazhuang 050024，China
^1b.Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Evolution and Ecological Construction, Hebei Normal University，Shijiazhuang 050024，China
^2.Beijing Normal University，Beijing 100875，China
^3.Institute of Geographical Sciences / Hebei Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Geographical Information Development and Application，Hebei Academy of Sciences，Shijiazhuang 050011，China
^4.Hebei University of Economics and Business，Shijiazhuang 050061，China

Received:2024-07-10 Revised:2024-08-29 Online:2025-01-20 Published:2025-01-13
Contact: Zhongling Guo,Chunping Chang

Abstract

Abstract:

Microplastic （MPs） pollution has become a global environmental issue. The enrichment characteristics of MPs in wind-eroded materials vary with different surface types. This study observed the enrichment phenomenon of MPs in wind-eroded materials from mulched farmland and adjacent grassland in the central part of the agricultural-pastoral transitional zone in northern China， and concluded the following：（1） Fibers， fragments， and films are the main forms of MPs in the soil and wind-eroded materials of farmland and grassland in the study area. The enrichment amount of MPs in grassland wind-eroded materials is slightly higher than that in mulched farmland. The enrichment ratio （ER） of MPs in the wind-eroded materials of mulched farmland ranges from 0 to 151.46 （average value 19.82）， while the ER of MPs in grassland is between 0 and 150.99 （average value 27.28）. Fiber-shaped MPs are more prone to be transported due to their susceptibility to wind erosion， and smaller-sized MPs are more likely to be enriched. （2） The input of exogenous MPs may be the main sources of MPs in the soil and adjacent grassland of mulched farmland， and mulched farmland is a potential source of MPs in adjacent grassland， thereby making the entire area a potential source of atmospheric emission of MPs. This study highlights the importance of MPs entering the atmosphere through the wind transmission pathway and clarifies the potential sources of atmospheric transmission of MPs. This is of great significance for future assessments of the environmental behavior and ecological risks of MPs.

Key words: microplastic （MPs）, enrichment ratio, wind erosion events, mulched farmland, grassland

CLC Number:

S153

Chunlong Jiang, Hongye Jiang, Linyue Dai, Chen Chen, Chenyu Zhao, Zhongling Guo, Jifeng Li, Huiru Li, Xueyong Zou, Rende Wang, Qing Li, Na Zhou, Yixiao Yuan, Chunping Chang. Enrichment characteristics of microplastics in wind-eroded soils of mulched farmland and the adjacent grassland[J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2025, 45(1): 94-102.

Figures/Tables 10

Fig.1 Study area

Fig.2 Instrument layout

Table 1 Soil properties and surface conditions of mulched farmland and grassland

参数	最大值		最小值		平均值		标准差
参数	农田	草地	农田	草地	农田	草地	农田	草地
土壤团聚体稳定性（AS）	0.99	0.97	0.34	0.67	0.81	0.89	0.22	0.09
土壤可蚀性（EF）	0.85	0.81	0.46	0.24	0.69	0.62	0.23	0.12
空气动力学粗糙度（Z₀）/mm	0.03	0.04	0.01	0.02	0.02	0.03	0.01	0.01

Table 2 Sediment transport flux and wind speed in mulched farmland and grassland

参数	日期	最大值		最小值		平均值		标准差
参数	日期	农田	草地	农田	草地	农田	草地	农田	草地
风速/（m·s^-1）	4月16日	2.83		1.65		2.45		0.37
	4月21日	3.52		1.75		2.19		0.46
	4月30日	4.31		1.90		2.78		0.61
输沙通量/（kg·m^-1）	4月16日	51.77	39.40	2.00	0.50	20.51	5.11	18.75	10.46
	4月21日	37.22	2.20	6.70	0.69	14.39	1.46	10.15	0.46
	4月30日	115.98	8.76	0.41	0.38	20.23	2.52	29.64	2.55

Fig.3 Types of microplastics

Fig.4 Soil microplastic characteristics in mulched farmland and grassland

Fig.5 Characteristics of microplastics in wind-eroded materials from mulched farmland and grassland

Fig.6 Enrichment characteristics of microplastics in wind-eroded materials from mulched farmland and grassland

Fig.7 Enrichment characteristics of MPs types and sizes in wind-eroded materials from mulched farmland and grassland

Fig.8 Wind direction distribution in the four counties of the study area on 16-30，April，2023

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Enrichment characteristics of microplastics in wind-eroded soils of mulched farmland and the adjacent grassland

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