In Situ Impact of Waste Polyethylene ( PE ) Films on Soil Quality and Plant Growth in Agricultural Soil

Bibliographic Data

ID21648452
AuthorsYoora Cho (0000-0002-0057-2733, Korea Biochar Research Center, Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering Korea University Seoul Korea), Geonwook Hwang (Korea Biochar Research Center, Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering Korea University Seoul Korea), Mee Kyung Sang (0000-0001-9032-7012, Division of Agricultural Microbiology National Institute of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration Wanju South Korea), Patryk Oleszczuk (0000-0001-8546-7299, Department of Radiochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry Maria Curie‐Skłodowska University Lublin Poland), Jonathan T E Lee (0000-0002-6976-1831, National University of Singapore), Sung Yeon Hwang (0000-0002-1352-3009, Department of Convergent Biotechnology and Advanced Materials Science Kyung Hee University Yongin Republic of Korea, corresponding author), Yong Sik Ok (0000-0003-3401-0912, Korea Biochar Research Center, Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering Korea University Seoul Korea, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume36
Issue14
Pages5054-5065
Publication date2025-08-30
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueLand Degradation and Development (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1085-3278 • E-ISSN: 1099-145X
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ldr.5687
OpenAlexW4411191372
LanguageEN
References cited74

Plastic films have accumulated in soil ecosystems over decades of agricultural activities. These films potentially disrupt the soil structure, hinder nutrient cycling, and deteriorate soil quality. However, there is still a substantial knowledge gap in understanding how real‐world waste polyethylene films (WPEFs), with varied shapes and sizes, influence soil quality and plant performance in the fields. This study investigated the effects of WPEFs on soil quality, crop growth, and changes in plastic characteristics. In situ soil incubation was conducted for 4 months under natural field conditions, and lettuce ( Lactuca sativa ) was cultivated during the period. Soils with 0%–2% of WPEFs were analyzed for physicochemical and biological properties, and lettuces from each soil condition were analyzed for growth indicators after harvest. WPEFs were examined for physicochemical changes using FTIR and SEM. After the incubation, the WPEF 2.0 treatment reduced soil bulk density significantly, from 1.03 to 0.77 g/cm 3 , and decreased microaggregates (

Agriculture · Agronomy · Biology · Composite material · In situ · Plant growth · Polyethylene · Soil Quality · Soil water · Waste management · Chemistry · Engineering · Environmental Science · Materials Science · Microplastics and Plastic Pollution · Municipal Solid Waste Management · Recycling and Waste Management Techniques · Ecology · Environmental Engineering · Soil Science

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