6 Environmental Laboratory TALKING POINT What is ‘plasticulture’ – and is it polluting soil around the world?


The agricultural sector has long embraced innovation to improve effi ciency and yield. Among the signifi cant advancements is the use of plastics in farming, commonly referred to as plasticulture. This practice encompasses various applications of plastic, including greenhouse covers, plastic mulch, irrigation tubes, hoop houses, and more. While plasticulture has undeniably revolutionized modern farming, it also brings to light critical environmental concerns, primarily the pollution of soil and potential threats to food safety.


Plasticulture traces its origins to 1948 when E.M. Emmert, a horticulturist at the University of Kentucky, experimented with polyethylene sheets as a cheaper alternative to glass for greenhouse sides. This innovation allowed light to penetrate while retaining warmth, creating an ideal environment for plant growth. This early experiment marked the beginning of plastic’s widespread use in agriculture, leading to a signifi cant transformation in farming practices.


Today, plastic is ubiquitous in agriculture. It lines greenhouses, covers fi elds as plastic mulch, forms hoop houses, and serves as irrigation tubes. Satellite images from NASA even show vast stretches of farmland appearing white, dusted with plastic, underscoring the material’s extensive use. The agricultural sector is responsible for approximately 3.5 percent of global plastic production, translating to millions of tons of plastic annually.


However, this widespread adoption has a dark side. Over time, plastic degrades into tiny fl akes and accumulates in the soil, creating a reservoir of microplastics. These microplastics pose a signifi cant environmental threat, infi ltrating various ecosystems, including oceans, rivers, and even human bodies. Studies have detected microplastics in drinking water, seafood, and even the human placenta, highlighting their pervasive nature and potential health risks.


How plasticulture can pollute soil The Earth’s soils, particularly those used for agriculture, have


become repositories for plastic waste. Agricultural soils are thought to contain more microplastics than oceans, which hold an estimated 358 trillion plastic particles. These plastics not only originate from farming activities but also from other industrial sources, washed onto farms during fl oods or carried by the wind. Microplastics in soil can disrupt soil health, aff ecting microbial communities and soil fertility, which in turn impacts crop yields.


One of the primary challenges in addressing soil pollution from plasticulture is the lack of viable remediation techniques. Removing microplastics from soil is incredibly challenging, and current strategies focus more on prevention than cleanup. The production of plastics, largely driven by fossil fuels, contributes signifi cantly to climate change, which in turn exacerbates the need for plastic in farming to combat extreme weather conditions. This creates a vicious cycle where the demand for plastics grows, further contributing to environmental degradation.


Plasticulture has both benefi ts and drawbacks. On the positive side, plastic mulch, one of the most common forms of plasticulture, helps conserve water, reduce the need for pesticides, prevent soil erosion, and increase crop yields. It creates a microenvironment that enhances plant growth, providing protection against extreme weather and pests.


However, the environmental implications cannot be ignored. Plastic waste from agricultural activities often ends up in landfi lls, is burned, or is left in the environment, leading to soil and water contamination. The production and degradation of plastics release greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. Additionally, the presence of microplastics in soil can have unknown long-term eff ects on food safety and human health.


Can plasticulture become sustainable?


Eff orts to mitigate the environmental impact of plasticulture are underway. Scientists are developing biodegradable alternatives to conventional plastics used in farming. These biodegradable


plastics can decompose into natural substances like carbon dioxide and water, reducing their environmental footprint. However, questions remain about their long-term impact on soil ecosystems and their overall effi cacy.


Another potential solution is the use of plant-based or recycled plastics, which can reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower the carbon footprint of agricultural plastics. Innovations in plastic recycling and the development of more sustainable farming practices are essential steps toward reducing the environmental impact of plasticulture.


Plasticulture has undoubtedly transformed modern agriculture, off ering numerous benefi ts in terms of effi ciency and crop yield. However, its environmental costs, particularly the pollution of soil with microplastics, pose signifi cant challenges. As the global community becomes increasingly aware of these issues, there is a growing push for more sustainable practices and materials in agriculture.


The future of plasticulture hinges on balancing the need for agricultural effi ciency with environmental sustainability. Embracing biodegradable alternatives, improving recycling eff orts, and reducing overall plastic use are crucial steps toward achieving this balance. By prioritizing sustainability, we can ensure that the benefi ts of plasticulture do not come at the expense of our planet’s health and the safety of our food systems.


Titan Enterprises Releases New Display Model of its Popular Pulsite® Titan Enterprises’ popular Pulsite®


Link pulse and analog converter, a successful addition to Titan’s line of liquid fl ow


measuring instruments, is now available with the useful additional design feature of an LCD display. Based on customer demand, developing a display model of the Pulsite®


Link will enable local indication of fl ow rate and total


or both, from the installed pulse fl owmeter. A local and remote reset for the totaliser is also featured with the display option, along with full PC integration via the USB and Titan’s interface software. However, incorporating the display was not without its challenges from an R&D perspective!


Neil Hannay, Senior Development Engineer with Titan Enterprises, says: “Fitting the display and the required electronics into such a small space without redesigning the whole unit certainly presented a challenge.”


“Working closely with our PCB manufacturer, this issue was overcome by the ingenuity of design involving specialist mounting,” Neil continues. “The single PCB was remodelled into a compact design that was mounted onto the display within the unit’s restricted dimensions.”


The Pulsite® Link helps users convert common pulse output fl ow metres, such as Titan’s precision turbine fl owmeters and positive


displacement fl owmeters, to scaled and linearised analog and NPN/PNP outputs. With over a hundred units sold since it was fi rst launched, it is ideal for general industrial use.


The opportunity to incorporate a few bug fi xes into Titan’s proprietary Interface Software have also been made alongside the product development. The interface software that supports The Pulsite®


Link, as well as the Atrato® via USB and a computer. The USB stick supplied with the Pulsite®


Link is an ideal instrument to connect to customer devices for increased accuracy on mechanical fl ow devices, data monitoring, test rigs and control systems. More information online: ilmt.co/PL/vwdA


Windows PC. The Pulsite®


For More Info, email: email:


IET SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024


For More Info, email: email:


For More Info, email: 63231pr@reply-direct.com and Metrafl ow® ultrasonic fl owmeters, allows the user to confi gure and test the system Link can be inserted into the unit without needing to disassemble it, allowing for real-time monitoring and data-logging via a


Link Flow Instrument


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