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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Oxford, Mississippi » National Sedimentation Laboratory » Water Quality and Ecology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #433470
Research Project: Enhancing Long-Term Agroecosystem Sustainability of Water and Soil Resources Through Science and Technology

Location: Water Quality and Ecology Research

Title: Microplastic Pollution in Agricultural Waters of the Mississippi Delta

Author
item HEINEN, EDWARD - University Of Mississippi
item CIZDZIEL, JAMES - University Of Mississippi
item OLUBUSOYE, BOLUWATIFE - University Of Mississippi
item Moore, Matthew
item Witthaus, Lindsey

Submitted to: Journal of Xenobiotics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/30/2026
Publication Date: 5/6/2026
Citation: Heinen, E., Cizdziel, J.V., Olubusoye, B.S., Moore, M.T., Witthaus, L.M. 2026. Microplastic Pollution in Agricultural Waters of the Mississippi Delta. Journal of Xenobiotics. 16:81. https://doi.org/10.3390/jox16030081.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jox16030081

Interpretive Summary: Plastics are used in everyday items, even in agricultural settings. Whether in pesticide containers, irrigation polypipe, seed and fertilizer bag pallet wrapping, or other uses, plastics are a part of the agricultural ecosystem. Pollution caused by breakdown of these products (microplastics) is an area of new study, especially in the agricultural intensive Mississippi Delta. Storm flood and runoff water, in addition to irrigation water, were analyzed by different types of microplastics. Four major categories of microplastics were found in samples at fairly consistent concentrations from different samples. More research is needed to determine the agricultural impact of this pollution.

Technical Abstract: Microplastic (MP) pollution in agricultural settings is an emerging field of study, with interest focusing on potential resource contamination of soil and water due to the use of plastic materials in farming practices. The Mississippi Delta, a highly agricultural region, is prone to both natural and intentional flooding, potentially exacerbating this issue. In this study, MP (>30 µm) concentrations, sizes, and polymer IDs in agricultural flood water, irrigation water, and runoff were determined using micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (µ-FTIR). Mean ± SE concentrations (MPs/L) were 72 ± 66 in floodwater (n=18), 169 ± 121 in source (irrigation pond) water (n=4), and 30 ± 37 in runoff (n=3) at one site. At the second site, mean ± SE runoff concentration was 88 ± 76 MPs/L (n=24). Mean concentrations were elevated as compared to other MP studies in agricultural environments. The most common polymers present were polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene-ethyl vinyl acetate (PE/EVA), and thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), which are commonly used in the manufacturing of agricultural materials. MPs from the smallest size fraction measured (30-100 µm) were the most common in all flood water samples, ranging from 75.5%-91% abundance. Using ATR-FTIR, larger plastic litter was identified as mostly PE and PET, which is consistent with polymer distributions in flood water samples. Overall, MPs were prevalent in both floodwater and runoff, with relatively consistent concentrations and polymer compositions across samples. However, further research is needed to fully elucidate their fate and potential impacts on agricultural systems.