Abstract: Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are extensively used as additives in agricultural inputs (e. g., plastic films and pesticides) and classified as endocrine disrupting chemicals with the effects of carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, and mutagenicity. In recent years, as China is one of the largest consumers of plastic products, PAEs have become the dominant organic constituents in Chinese agricultural soils. Therefore, it is of great significance to understand the current enrichment status of PAEs prior to identify appropriate remediation methods. Based on the systematic review of the usage of agricultural plastic film, the survey data of PAEs pollution in agricultural soil in the different regions of China and the concentrations of various types of PAEs in different vegetables, this paper summarized the pollution degree and the distribution characteristics of PAEs in agricultural soil at the national scale. Through statistical analysis, the relationship between the PAEs concentrations in agricultural soil and the amount of agricultural film used, and the land uses associated with crop types were obtained in typical regions in China. The results show that: (1) the concentrations of PAEs in agricultural soils in most regions are generally at higher levels with a significant regional discrepancy. The most frequently detected and the most abundant congeners are di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). (2) The different congeners of PAEs have unique transverse and vertical distribution patterns. (3) The distribution of phthalic acid esters in agricultural soils is determined by factors such as plastic film mulching, agrotype, soil types, and properties of PAEs, etc.

Key words: agricultural soil, phthalate, distribution pattern, spatial distribution, influential factor