Publications by authors named "Xiu-Ping Tao"
Article Synopsis
- Polyethylene film mulching, commonly used for soil moisture in dryland farming, can break down into microplastics of various shapes, which is a concern for soil health.
- A study analyzed how different microplastic shapes (ball, fiber, fragment, and powder) impact soil bacterial communities over two years, determining that the shape of microplastics affected bacterial abundance and diversity more than their concentration.
- The research found that microplastic shapes influenced soil processes and bacterial community assembly through both random and specific interactions, highlighting the importance of addressing microplastic shapes in soil management rather than just their quantity.
J Hazard Mater
April 2023
Article Synopsis
- A two-year landfill test examined how different types and thicknesses of plastic films (polyethylene and biodegradable) release microplastics and phthalic acid esters (PAEs) into agricultural soil and affect crop yields.*
-
- The study found that biodegradable films, especially thin ones, led to higher microplastic counts and PAE concentrations compared to polyethylene films, with significant physical changes observed in the biodegradable materials after two years.*
-
- Results showed a negative correlation between microplastic and PAE levels with maize productivity, indicating that biodegradable films pose a greater environmental risk and impact on soil health compared to thicker polyethylene films.*
