Model-based analysis of erosion-induced microplastic delivery from arable land to the stream network of a mesoscale catchment

Abstract 2) to its river network within a typical arable region of southern Germany. To do this, a soil erosion model was used and combined with the potential particular MP load of arable land from different sources (sewage sludge, compost, atmospheric deposition, and tyre wear) from 1950 onwards. The modelling resulted in an annual mean MP flux into the stream network of 6.33 kg MP a- 1 in 2020, which was dominated by tyre wear (80 %). Overall, 0.11 %–0.17 % of the MPs applied to arable soils between 1950 and 2020 were transported into the stream network. In terms of mass, this small proportion was in the same range as the MP inputs from wastewater treatment plants within the test catchment. More MP (0.5 %–1 % of input between 1950 and 2020) was deposited in the grassland areas along the stream network, and this could be an additional source of MP during flood events. Most (5 % of the MP applied between 1950 and 2020) of the MP translocated by tillage and water erosion was buried under the plough layer. Thus, the main part of the MP added to arable land remained in the topsoil and is available for long-term soil erosion. This can be illustrated based on a “stop MP input in 2020” scenario, indicating that MP delivery to the stream network until 2100 would only be reduced by 14 %. Overall, arable land at risk of soil erosion represents a long-term MP sink but also a long-term MP source for inland waters.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Model-based analysis of erosion-induced microplastic delivery from arable land to the stream network of a mesoscale catchment ; volume:10 ; number:1 ; year:2024 ; pages:211-230 ; extent:20 ; Soil ; 10, Heft 1 (2024), 211-230 (gesamt 20)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Rehm, Raphael ; Fiener, Peter

Further information

• DOI: 10.5194/soil-10-211-2024
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2024031403161220629323
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:46 AM CEST