A recent EcoWatch article highlights alarming levels of microplastic contamination in agricultural soils, revealing that these soils can contain microplastics at concentrations up to 23 times higher than those found in ocean waters. This significant pollution primarily stems from agricultural practices such as the use of plastic mulching films, sewage sludge-based fertilizers, and plastic-coated agrochemicals. These microplastics not only degrade soil health by disrupting microbial communities and reducing fertility but also pose risks to human health through potential uptake by crops. The article underscores the urgent need for sustainable farming practices and stricter regulations to mitigate microplastic pollution in agriculture.
A recent EcoWatch article highlights alarming levels of microplastic contamination in agricultural soils, revealing that these soils can contain microplastics at concentrations up to 23 times higher than those found in ocean waters. This significant pollution primarily stems from agricultural practices such as the use of plastic mulching films, sewage sludge-based fertilizers, and plastic-coated agrochemicals. These microplastics not only degrade soil health by disrupting microbial communities and reducing fertility but also pose risks to human health through potential uptake by crops. The article underscores the urgent need for sustainable farming practices and stricter regulations to mitigate microplastic pollution in agriculture.
