Mechanisms of microplastic generation from polymer-coated controlled-release fertilizers (PC-CRFs).

Polymer-coated controlled-release fertilizers (PC-CRFs) are valued for nutrient efficiency, but concerns remain about the long-term impacts of their plastic coatings on soil health. This study investigates the physicochemical characteristics of two commercially available PC-CRFs, type A and B, and their changes during nutrient release. Accelerated nutrient release experiments were conducted for 25 d in ultrapure water (free water) and saturated soil with five wet-dry cycles.

Understanding the dynamics of microplastics transport in urban stormwater runoff: Implications for pollution control and management.

The transport of microplastics (MPs) from urban environments to water resources via stormwater runoff poses significant concerns due to its adverse impacts on water safety and aquatic ecosystems. This study presents a modeling approach aimed at understanding the transport mechanisms of MPs in an urban residential setting, considering settling and buoyant MPs. To consider the effect of MP shapes, the settling velocity of various settling MPs in shapes of fibers, films, and fragments was calculated.