The plastic shells from polymer coated urea persist for more than 12 months in the field.
Photographers: Bronwyn Masters
Description
Controlled release fertilizer products have used plastic or polymer coats to regulate fertilizer N release into the surrounding soil. Granule coatings are slowly permeable, allowing N to diffuse into surrounding soil over time, but the residual plastic shells can persist in the environment long after the N has been released.
Image produced for the project