Accumulation and Transport of Phthalic Acid Esters in the Soil-Plant System of Agricultural Fields with Different Years of Film Mulching

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear authors, I have revised your manuscript entitled "Accumulation and Transport of Phthalate Esters in the Soil- plant System of Agricultural Fields with Different Years of Film Mulching”. Attached you will find my comments. 

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Comments on the Quality of English Language

NA

Author Response

Thank you for your crucial comments and valuable suggestions. We had a deep consideration on these comments and rethought our study.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This study investigated the accumulation and transport of phthalate ester (PAEs) compounds in the soil-plant system of crop fields under different film mulching years. The results demonstrated that the content of DEHP in maize seeds and cabbage leaves exceeded the maximum residue limit, which is significant and deserves to be published. The manuscript is well structured and fully demonstrates the purpose and importance of this study. In my opinion, this manuscript can be accepted by Sustainability after minor revisions.

1. The abbreviation appeared in the Abstract for the first time should be defined.

2. In line 70-72, the sentence confuses me. Checked it.

3. It would be better to unify the units presence in manuscript (mg/kg, ng/g, μg/kg).

4. Why the author selected maize plants and cabbage as the sample to conduct this research?

5. The author found that PAEs content in the soil of cabbage field was lower than that in the maize field, and attribute it to the plastic film covered time and enrichment capacity, but ignore the fact that the film thickness of maize field is higher.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

English language fine. No issues detected.

Author Response

Thank you for your crucial comments and valuable suggestions. We had a deep consideration on these comments and rethought our study.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The present manuscript discusses the "Accumulation and Transport of Phthalate Esters in the Soil- 2 plant System of Agricultural Fields with Different Years of Film 3 Mulching". The manuscript present some interesting results. However, it needs improvement (see comments below).

Abstract:

• Is there any specific reason why maize and cabbage fields were chosen for this study? Were there any particular characteristics of these crops that made them suitable for investigating the accumulation and transport of PAEs?
• Can you elaborate on the potential sources of PAEs in the soil, besides film mulching? Were there any other agricultural practices or external factors that could contribute to PAE accumulation in the soil-plant system?
• The detection of PAEs in maize seeds and cabbage leaves raises concerns about the potential human exposure to PAEs through the consumption of these crops. Can you discuss the implications of these findings in terms of food safety and human health risks?
• The detection of PAEs in maize seeds and cabbage leaves raises concerns about the potential human exposure to PAEs through the consumption of these crops. Can you discuss the implications of these findings in terms of food safety and human health risks?

Introduction:

The introduction provides a clear overview of the problem statement and the significance of the study. However, it would be helpful to include a brief statement about the objectives of the study.

• The use of plastic film mulching in agriculture has undoubtedly improved crop yield and water use efficiency. However, the incomplete recovery of plastic film residues in agricultural soils is a concerning issue. It would be interesting to explore potential solutions or alternative mulching materials that can mitigate the negative impacts of plastic residues.
• The introduction provides a clear overview of the problem statement and the significance of the study. However, it would be helpful to include a brief statement about the objectives of the study.
• The mention of phthalate esters (PAEs) as plasticizers in plastic films is crucial, as they have been found to be toxic and difficult to degrade. It would be beneficial to provide more information on the specific health risks associated with PAEs and their potential impact on human and environmental health.
• The use of plastic film mulching in agriculture has undoubtedly improved crop yield and water use efficiency. However, the incomplete recovery of plastic film residues in agricultural soils is a concerning issue. It would be interesting to explore potential solutions or alternative mulching materials that can mitigate the negative impacts of plastic residues.
• Accurately weigh 2g of radish root samples,.. Confirm crop “ Radish or Cabbage ??? line number 126.
• Can you provide additional information on the rationale for choosing acetone: n-hexane (1:1, v/v) mixture for sample extraction, and why was this specific solvent mixture selected over others?

Results:

• Please check figure and table legends for completeness including if data are means with SD or SE, n =, the names of statistical tests, p values and the meaning of any statistics labels on the illustrations, as well as defining abbreviations and units correctly.
• The discussion is still poor and should be improved.
• Conclusions: This section is too general. Include in this section the most important experimental results and findings.
• Check the grammar throughout the article and correct it. Proofread the article as many language errors were identified.

 

 

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The present manuscript discusses the "Accumulation and Transport of Phthalate Esters in the Soil- 2 plant System of Agricultural Fields with Different Years of Film 3 Mulching". The manuscript present some interesting results. However, it needs improvement (see comments below).

Abstract:

• Is there any specific reason why maize and cabbage fields were chosen for this study? Were there any particular characteristics of these crops that made them suitable for investigating the accumulation and transport of PAEs?
• Can you elaborate on the potential sources of PAEs in the soil, besides film mulching? Were there any other agricultural practices or external factors that could contribute to PAE accumulation in the soil-plant system?
• The detection of PAEs in maize seeds and cabbage leaves raises concerns about the potential human exposure to PAEs through the consumption of these crops. Can you discuss the implications of these findings in terms of food safety and human health risks?
• The detection of PAEs in maize seeds and cabbage leaves raises concerns about the potential human exposure to PAEs through the consumption of these crops. Can you discuss the implications of these findings in terms of food safety and human health risks?

Introduction:

The introduction provides a clear overview of the problem statement and the significance of the study. However, it would be helpful to include a brief statement about the objectives of the study.

• The use of plastic film mulching in agriculture has undoubtedly improved crop yield and water use efficiency. However, the incomplete recovery of plastic film residues in agricultural soils is a concerning issue. It would be interesting to explore potential solutions or alternative mulching materials that can mitigate the negative impacts of plastic residues.
• The introduction provides a clear overview of the problem statement and the significance of the study. However, it would be helpful to include a brief statement about the objectives of the study.
• The mention of phthalate esters (PAEs) as plasticizers in plastic films is crucial, as they have been found to be toxic and difficult to degrade. It would be beneficial to provide more information on the specific health risks associated with PAEs and their potential impact on human and environmental health.
• The use of plastic film mulching in agriculture has undoubtedly improved crop yield and water use efficiency. However, the incomplete recovery of plastic film residues in agricultural soils is a concerning issue. It would be interesting to explore potential solutions or alternative mulching materials that can mitigate the negative impacts of plastic residues.
• Accurately weigh 2g of radish root samples,.. Confirm crop “ Radish or Cabbage ??? line number 126.
• Can you provide additional information on the rationale for choosing acetone: n-hexane (1:1, v/v) mixture for sample extraction, and why was this specific solvent mixture selected over others?

Results:

• Please check figure and table legends for completeness including if data are means with SD or SE, n =, the names of statistical tests, p values and the meaning of any statistics labels on the illustrations, as well as defining abbreviations and units correctly.
• The discussion is still poor and should be improved.
• Conclusions: This section is too general. Include in this section the most important experimental results and findings.
• Check the grammar throughout the article and correct it. Proofread the article as many language errors were identified.

Author Response

Thank you for your crucial comments and valuable suggestions. We had a deep consideration on these comments and rethought our study.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript “Accumulation and Transport of Phthalate Esters in the Soil-plant System of Agricultural Fields with Different Years of Film Mulching" is interesting and well written. The experiments are well designed and performed. Results are convincing and publication is recommended. I have some minor comments in order to improve the manuscript before to be published:

1.      Abstract section. the Abstract section seems to be a bit awkward and lengthy. Check the journal requirements.

2.      Reconsider the keywords.

3.      L 82-84, the opening sentence is simply too long and difficult to follow. Besides, the authors here make a fundamental mistake and propagate a misunderstanding: it is not true that plastic film residues will degrade into PAEs.

4.      2.1 Overview of the Study Area. “According to the survey and monitoring of …” cite this survey report/publication.

5.      L 114, how did the authors define the different film mulching years?

6.      L 126, radish root samples?

7.      Several grammatical errors were noted. Like, “in maize soil”, “in cabbage soil”, etc.

8.      2.4 Analysis Conditions. The specific target compounds should be given here or some other place.

9.      L 201-202, and the same after, should be put into the figure captions.

10.   L 186, “The PAEs content in the cabbage field's soil was lower than that in the maize field”. Has the cabbage field's soil always been planted with cabbage for 30 year? And the same goes for maize field?

11.   The information on the control group (CK) should be given in the method section.

12.   L 354 and after, the abbreviations of BCF, TF and others were introduced when it first appears, then it can be used directly here.

13.   L 446-447, “Cabbage and maize were grown in agricultural fields, absorbing pollutants from the soil and air”, in this study, there was no related investigation on the absorption from air, so this should not be a conclusion of this study.

14.   The format of references needs to be modified more rigorously, for example, the page style, whether the first letter in the Title is capitalized or no, etc.

 

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Extensive editing of English language required

Author Response

Thank you for your crucial comments and valuable suggestions. We had a deep consideration on these comments and rethought our study.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The revised version is much improved, as the authors have adequately addressed the raised comments