Does the Element Availability Change in Soils Exposed to Bioplastics and Plastics for Six Months?

• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159610
• Publication Date: 2022-08-05T01:52:48Z
• Authors: Giorgia Santini; Giulia Maisto; Valeria Memoli; Gabriella Di Natale; Marco Trifuoggi; Lucia Santorufo
• Keywords: Bioplastic; Biodegradable plastic; Plastic film

Plastic sheets are widely used in farming soil to improve the productivity of cultures. Due their absorption capacity, plastic can alter element and metal content soils, turn affect properties. The use biodegradable films is an attractive eco-sustainable alternative approach overcome environmental pollution problems due but impacts on scarcely studied. aim research was evaluate impact conventional bioplastic total available concentrations elements (Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Zn) soils. performed mesocosm trials, filled with covered by sheets. After six months exposure, soils were characterized for pH, water content, organic carbon nitrogen, Al, Zn concentrations. results highlighted that showed higher contamination factors, suggesting represented a source metals or less-effective sink these background compared ones.