Remaining and Runoff Status of Plastic Microcapsules of Coated Fertilizers in Paddy Fields in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

We investigated and analyzed the remaining status of plastic microcapsules of coated fertilizers in soil and runoff in drainage in paddy fields in Fukushima Prefecture, and examined measures to control runoff. The results revealed the following: 1) Plastic microcapsules were found in 43 spots (51%) of 85 soil survey spots; 2) 51 (91%) plastic microcapsules were found at depths of 0-10 cm and 5 (9%) at depths of 10-20 cm; 3) The average number of collected plastic microcapsules per day was less than 15 in the fields of farmers who used shallow-water plowing as a measure to control runoff, whereas the number exceeded 100 after plowing in the fields of farmers who did not take any preventive measures.