Fertilizer Microplastics Found Washing Back to Beaches
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By
January 30, 2026
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2 min
Research from Tokyo Metropolitan University reveals that microplastic coatings from polymer-coated fertilizers (PCFs) significantly contribute to ocean pollution. These fertilizers, used for crops like rice and wheat, leak plastic shells into waterways, leading to accumulation on beaches. A survey of 147 plots across 17 beaches demonstrated that areas connected to paddy fields accumulated up to 28% of microplastics, while beaches near rivers received less than 0.2%. The study underscores the need for monitoring agricultural plastics to mitigate this environmental issue.
1. Microplastic coatings from fertilizers are contributing to marine pollution. 2. Study conducted by Tokyo Metropolitan University. 3. Polymer-coated fertilizers leak plastics into waterways. 4. Up to 28% of microplastics accumulate on certain beaches. 5. Analytical tools include FTIR and EDX spectroscopy. 6. Research emphasizes monitoring of agricultural plastics.
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