Plastic-film mulch: the soil pollution
A mulch is a layer of something such as old leafs, small pieces of wood or manure which you put on the soil around plants in order to protect them and help them to grow. It is also a disposable product. The mulch is an effective method to stimulate growth of crops and is widely used in farmlands. It can increase the ground temperature and maintain the soil moisture and soil structure. It's not exaggerating to say that the plastic-film mulch technique contributes greatly to 13 billion Chinese people's self-sufficient food production.
However, after harvesting, mulch is left in the soil. Having the property of disposable product, plastic-film cannot easily decompose and will damage soil structure and turn soil into sediments.
In Xinjiang Province, from 1980s, plastic-film mulch has been applied in farmlands to help grow cotton. The result was a success, greatly improved the farmers' lives and increased their incomes. However, after 30 years of accumulation, the plastics in the soil has made the soil in Xinjiang the most "whitely" polluted area in China. Seeds cannot survive on sediments and the production has already been severely affected.
However, after harvesting, mulch is left in the soil. Having the property of disposable product, plastic-film cannot easily decompose and will damage soil structure and turn soil into sediments.
In Xinjiang Province, from 1980s, plastic-film mulch has been applied in farmlands to help grow cotton. The result was a success, greatly improved the farmers' lives and increased their incomes. However, after 30 years of accumulation, the plastics in the soil has made the soil in Xinjiang the most "whitely" polluted area in China. Seeds cannot survive on sediments and the production has already been severely affected.
Image borrowed from baike.baidu.com