Irrigation-facilitated low-density polyethylene microplastic vertical transport along soil profile: An empirical model developed by column experiment

The Urgent Need to Investigate Microplastic Contamination in Groundwater: Soil and Groundwater Interactions as Key Drivers

“…Moreover, in the vertical direction, human activities such as irrigation could accelerate the migration of MPs deep into the soil and shallow aquifer. Furthermore, the abundance of MPs in the source soil layer decreased as the irrigation content increased, while the abundance at greater soil depths increased significantly . Water table fluctuation also led to the rise of capillary fringe and altered the distribution of MPs along the column in a tidal aquifer environment, and the type of clay mineral and variations in ionic strength can also affect the migration and aging rate of MPs in complex porous media containing clay minerals (Figure c).…”

“…Groundwater flow characteristic is one of the dominant factors that controls the migration and distribution of MPs, especially the sudden change in flow rate. A high water velocity facilitates the longer migration of MPs, and a high water velocity was conducive to transporting more MPs from source points . Moreover, in the vertical direction, human activities such as irrigation could accelerate the migration of MPs deep into the soil and shallow aquifer.…”

“…In particular, the freshwater and terrestrial environments not only serve as a major sink of MPs but also can be a significant source of groundwater MP pollution. , Plastic waste and agricultural plastic films gradually break down into MPs in the soil, which can infiltrate groundwater by rainwater and irrigation water, potentially posing risks to groundwater and ecosystems . To date, research on MPs in groundwater remains limited, particularly regarding the effects of changes in the multimedium interface and hydrodynamic fields on the transport and fate of MPs.…”

“…14,15 Plastic waste and agricultural plastic films gradually break down into MPs in the soil, which can infiltrate groundwater by rainwater and irrigation water, potentially posing risks to groundwater and ecosystems. 16 To date, research on MPs in groundwater remains limited, particularly regarding the effects of changes in the multimedium interface and hydrodynamic fields on the transport and fate of MPs. It is alarming to note that purified wastewater treatment plants discharge an astonishing quantity of 276 million MPs per day, resulting in >100 billion MPs entering the environment each year.…”

“…migration of MPs, and a high water velocity was conducive to transporting more MPs from source points. 16 Moreover, in the vertical direction, human activities such as irrigation could accelerate the migration of MPs deep into the soil and shallow aquifer. Furthermore, the abundance of MPs in the source soil layer decreased as the irrigation content increased, while the abundance at greater soil depths increased significantly.…”