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The application of plastic mulch films brings convenience to agricultural production, but also causes plastic waste that can be degraded into microplastics (MPs). However, little is known about the fate of plastic waste in agricultural ecosystem under freeze-thaw alternation in middle and high latitudes, as well as in highlands around the world. Whether the release of plasticizers, i.e. phthalate esters (PAEs), under such conditions would pose a potential risk to exposed organisms due to bioaccumulation is also unknown. To fill these data gaps, the agricultural fields in Liaoning of China with typical freeze-thaw alternation was selected as the study area. The transformation of plastic film was demonstrated by simulation freeze-thaw alternating from −30 to 20 ℃. Soil samples were collected to investigate the patterns of MP composition, abundance, and distribution. Concurrently, the concentrations of two PAEs including bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and diethyl phthalate (DEP) in soils were analyzed to provide information on the correlation between MPs abundance and PAEs concentrations as well as potential risks. The results showed that freeze-thaw alternating can accelerate the formation of MPs and release of PAEs from plastic waste. The abundance of MPs was positively correlated with the concentration of PAEs. Soil PAEs ranged from 3268 ± 213–6351 ± 110 μg/kg, indicating that over 40 % of the PAEs were transferred from plastic films to soils. Such residual amounts could pose risk for exposed organisms. Hence, the current study suggested that special concerns should be given to the release plasticizers in plastic waste of agricultural soils. [Display omitted] • -30/20 ℃ freeze-thaw alternations accelerate plasticizers release from mulch. • MPs abundance was positively correlated with concentration of phthalate derivatives (DEP and DEHP) in soil. • DEHP as a major plasticizer contributes to the ecological risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]