Xiao Xiao
PhD Student
Profile
Biography
I am an Environmental Science PhD student in the Department of Environment and Geography, which started in 2021. I am specifically working on the impacts of microplastics (MPs) generated from plastics mulch films on earthworms in farmland. Before starting my PhD, I completed a BSc and a MSc in Environmental Engineering in China, at the Chinese Academy of Environmental Sciences and China Agricultural University, respectively.
Research
Overview
My PhD project ‘Does biodegradable agricultural mulch have worse impacts on earthworms than non-biodegradable conventional mulch in farmland?’ tries to identify whether biodegradable plastics can really replace conventional plastics and solve the environmental plastic pollution problem? In arable systems, fluctuating temperatures and UV radiation can lead to fragmentation of plastic sheeting and the formation of MPs. In addition to MPs, cadmium (Cd) is another major contaminant in agricultural ecosystems. Interaction between MPs and Cd might occur. Furthermore, biodegradable MPs combining with non-essential metals, such as Cd, should pose different risks to soil animals, earthworms, compared to non-biodegradable MPs-metal interactions.
