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(Micro)plastics from erosion control engineering in China: Environment pollution and prevention strategies
  • +4
  • Zhonglu Guo,
  • Haoxin Hao,
  • Fengling Yan,
  • Junguang Wang,
  • Qiuxia Wang,
  • Cuiting Dai,
  • Cheng Liu
Zhonglu Guo
Huazhong Agricultural University College of Resources and Environment

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Haoxin Hao
Changjiang Water Resources Protection Institute
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Fengling Yan
Changjiang Water Resources Protection Institute
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Junguang Wang
Huazhong Agricultural University College of Resources and Environment
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Qiuxia Wang
Changjiang Water Resources Commission
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Cuiting Dai
Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences
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Cheng Liu
Changjiang Water Resources Protection Institute
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Abstract

(Micro)plastics are ubiquitous in our daily lives and are becoming a global emerging pollutant with significant threat to ecosystem sustainability. Within the field of soil erosion control engineering (ECE) in China, a wide range of plastic products, such as plastic mesh, planting bags, and plastic geocells, are extensively employed to stable the topsoil and facilitate the restoration of disturbed land. In this paper, we demonstrate the wide distribution of (micro)plastics in ECE across varied landscapes in China, highlighting their relatively high degradation rate induced by ultraviolet irradiation and mechanical disturbance. Furthermore, (micro)plastics in ECE exhibit a propensity for transport through soil erosion processes, thereby heightening the pollution risk to aquatic ecosystems. While the presence of (micro)plastics in ECE raises significant environmental concerns, there could be straightforward and easily implementable preventive strategies. These strategies include meticulous managing plastic usage during the design and completion phases of ECE, replacing plastic materials with biodegradable alternatives, and cleaning and retrieving temporary work materials.
03 Jul 2023Submitted to Land Degradation & Development
03 Jul 2023Assigned to Editor
03 Jul 2023Submission Checks Completed
30 Jul 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
30 Jul 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 Oct 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Major
06 Feb 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
16 Feb 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending