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Huang D, Wang X, Yin L, Chen S, Tao J, Zhou W, Chen H, Zhang G, Xiao R. Research progress of microplastics in soil-plant system: Ecological effects and potential risks. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 812:151487. [PMID: 34742990 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The effect of microplastics on soil ecosystem is a hot topic in recent years. It is increasingly recognized that soil is also an important sink for microplastics in addition to the aquatic environment. This review aims to discuss the direct and indirect effects of microplastics on the soil-plant system, focusing on the effects of microplastics on soil aggregates and soil nutrient cycling as well as the combined effects of microplastics and other pollutants on soil-plant systems. Microplastics have been shown to affect the rooting ability of plants by altering soil bulk density and water-holding capacity, as well as reducing photosynthetic rate by directly interfering with the balance of plant chlorophyll a/chlorophyll b ratios. In addition, microplastics affect the stability of aggregates by interfering with abiotic factors (e.g., sesquioxide and exchangeable cations) or biotic factors (e.g., soil organic matter and organism activities in the soil). Moreover, microplastics may affect soil nutrient cycling by altering the dominant bacteria phyla in the soil or genes and enzymes associated with the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycle. When microplastics and other pollutants have combined effects on plants, microplastics attached onto the root surface physically hamper the contact of the pollutants with the roots but are more likely to exacerbate the damage of pollutants to plants. Different types, sizes and concentrations of microplastics have different effects on the soil-plant system. Microplastics with similar shape and size to soil particles have less significant effects, while microfibers, small-sized microplastics and biodegradable plastic particles have more significant effects. Finally, this review also provides an outlook for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danlian Huang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China.
| | - Xinya Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Lingshi Yin
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Sha Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Jiaxi Tao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Wei Zhou
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Haojie Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Gaoxia Zhang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Ruihao Xiao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
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152
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Li H, Liu L. Short-term effects of polyethene and polypropylene microplastics on soil phosphorus and nitrogen availability. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 291:132984. [PMID: 34801568 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are an emerging threat to soils, but little is known about their effects on soil nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycling. In this study, a three-month soil incubation experiment has been conducted to analyze the effects of polyethene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) microplastics in sizes of 0-1 mm and 1-5 mm on soil available phosphate, nitrate, and ammonium contents under different fertilization regimes. Soil phosphorus and nitrogen availability were continuously determined in-situ by ion-exchange membrane method during the incubation. Microplastic surface chemical composition and the specific surface area were analyzed by FTIR and BET, respectively. The 16s rRNA sequencing of soil bacterial communities as well as soil pH have been determined after the incubation. The results showed that the presence of microplastics could significantly (P < 0.05) decrease soil available phosphate content from 122.61 mg P L-1 to 63.43 mg P L-1. The addition of PP microplastics could significantly increase soil available ammonium content from 0.94 mg N L-1 to 1.53 mg N L-1. Since microplastics had undetectable specific surface area and limited effects on soil microorganisms, adsorption and microorganism alteration functions might not be the main drivers of microplastic effects on soil phosphorus and nitrogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixiao Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hubei Polytechnic University, Hubei, Huangshi, 435003, China.
| | - Le Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
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153
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Shi J, Sun Y, Wang X, Wang J. Microplastics reduce soil microbial network complexity and ecological deterministic selection. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:2157-2169. [PMID: 35229440 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Microplastics have been proposed as emerging threats for terrestrial systems as they may potentially alter the physicochemical/biophysical soil environments. Due to the variety of properties of microplastics and soils, the microplastic-induced effects in soil ecosystems are greatly manifold. Here, we studied effects of three polymer microplastics (polyamide-6 (PA), polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET)) on soil properties with four different soil types. The success patterns, interaction relationships, and assembly processes of soil bacterial communities were also studied. Microplastics have the potential to promote CO2 emissions and enhance soil humification. Even though microplastics did not significantly alter the diversity and composition of the soil microbial community, the application of microplastics decreased the network complexity and stability, including network size, connectivity, and the number of module and keystone species. The bacterial community assembly was governed by deterministic selection (77.3% - 90.9%) in all treatments, while microplastics increased the contribution of stochastic processes from 9.1% in control to 13.6% - 22.7%. The neutral model results also indicated most of the bacterial taxa were present in the predicted neutral region (approximately 98%), suggesting the importance of stochastic processes. These findings provided a fundamental insight in understanding the effects of microplastics on soil ecosystems. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Shi
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yuanze Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
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154
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Guo M, Zhao F, Tian L, Ni K, Lu Y, Borah P. Effects of polystyrene microplastics on the seed germination of herbaceous ornamental plants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 809:151100. [PMID: 34695466 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Although microplastic (MP) pollution has become an environmental issue worldwide, most related research has been confined to marine ecosystems. The impacts of MPs on terrestrial ecosystems, and especially on terrestrial plants, are poorly studied. In our study, different particle sizes (2 μm and 80 nm) and different concentrations (0, 10, 50, 100, and 500 mg·L-1) of polystyrene MPs were selected as the experimental materials, and their effects on three herbaceous ornamental plants, Trifolium repens, Orychophragmus violaceus, and Impatiens balsamina, were investigated. Seed germination tendency, germination rate, and various physiological and biochemical indicators were observed in the treated plants. The germination rates and germination potentials of these plants decreased significantly as the polystyrene MP concentration increased. Root formation, as well as a decrease in root hair density, was observed. The catalase, superoxide dismutase, hydrogen peroxide, proline, soluble protein, and soluble sugar contents all showed overall trends that increased first and then decreased, which conformed to the "Plant-ES" equation. Thus, polystyrene MPs appeared to have significant inhibitory effects on the seed germination processes of herbaceous ornamental plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Guo
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311300, China.
| | - Furong Zhao
- College of Forestry and Bio-technology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311300, China
| | - Luwei Tian
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311300, China
| | - Kaijie Ni
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311300, China
| | - Yongquan Lu
- College of Forestry and Bio-technology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311300, China
| | - Priyanka Borah
- College of Forestry and Bio-technology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311300, China
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155
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Feng X, Wang Q, Sun Y, Zhang S, Wang F. Microplastics change soil properties, heavy metal availability and bacterial community in a Pb-Zn-contaminated soil. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127364. [PMID: 34879561 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 74.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) co-occur widely with diverse contaminants in soils. However, few data are available on their impacts on soil chemical and microbial properties of heavy metal-contaminated soils. For the first time, we investigated the changes in chemical and microbial properties of a Pb-Zn-contaminated soil as induced by six different MPs, including polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyamide (PA), polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), at two doses (0.2% and 2%, w/w). After 120 days of soil incubation, significant changes were observed in soil pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), NH4+-N, NO3--N, available P, the availability of Zn and Pb, and the activities of soil enzymes. Overall, MPs especially at the dose of 2% decreased the richness and diversity of bacterial communities and altered microbial community composition, causing special enrichments of specific taxa. MPs increased predicted functional genes involved in xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism. Generally, impacts were dependent on MPs' type and dose. Changes in soil properties and heavy metal availability had significant correlations with bacterial community diversity and composition. Our findings imply that MPs co-occurring with heavy metals may change metal mobility, soil fertility, and microbial diversity and functions, thus causing a potential threat to soil ecosystem multifunctionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueying Feng
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266042, PR China
| | - Quanlong Wang
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266042, PR China
| | - Yuhuan Sun
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266042, PR China
| | - Shuwu Zhang
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266042, PR China
| | - Fayuan Wang
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266042, PR China.
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156
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Zeb A, Liu W, Meng L, Lian J, Wang Q, Lian Y, Chen C, Wu J. Effects of polyester microfibers (PMFs) and cadmium on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and the rhizospheric microbial communities: A study involving physio-biochemical properties and metabolomic profiles. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127405. [PMID: 34629197 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Microfibers (MFs) and cadmium (Cd) are widely distributed in soil ecosystems, posing a potential threat to soil biota. To explore potential risks of single MFs and in combination with Cd (co-PMFs/Cd) to soil environment, we systematically investigated the effects of PMFs and co-PMFs/Cd treatments on physio-biochemical performance and metabolomic profile of lettuce (Lactuca sativa), as well as the rhizospheric bacterial communities. Our results showed that both PMFs and co-PMFs/Cd treatments adversely disturbed the plant shoot length, photosynthetic, and chlorophyll content. Co-PMFs/Cd specifically increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes. The metabolites in lettuce leaf were significantly altered by PMFs and co-PMFs/Cd treatments. A significant reduction in the relative abundance of amino acids sugar and sugar alcohols indicated the altered nitrogen and carbohydrates related metabolic pathways. Additionally, PMFs and co-PMFs/Cd treatments altered the structure of rhizospheric bacterial communities and caused significant changes in some key beneficial/functional bacteria involved in the C, and N cycles. The present study provides a novel insight into the potential effects of PMFs on plant and rhizosphere bacterial communities and highlights that PMFs can threaten the terrestrial ecosystem and should be further explored in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurang Zeb
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education (MOE)/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Ecology Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Weitao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education (MOE)/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Ecology Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Lingzuo Meng
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education (MOE)/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Ecology Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; College of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang 110168, China
| | - Jiapan Lian
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education (MOE)/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Ecology Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Environmental and Resources Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education (MOE)/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Ecology Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yuhang Lian
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education (MOE)/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Ecology Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Cuihong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education (MOE)/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Ecology Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jiani Wu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education (MOE)/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Ecology Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
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157
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Wang F, Wang Q, Adams CA, Sun Y, Zhang S. Effects of microplastics on soil properties: Current knowledge and future perspectives. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127531. [PMID: 34740160 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 108.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are a type of emerging contaminants that pose a potential threat to global terrestrial ecosystems, including agroecosystems. In recent years, MPs in soil and their adverse effects on soil health and fertility have attracted increasing concern. Based on the current knowledge, this review begins with a summary of the occurrence and characteristics of MPs in various soil environments, and then highlights the impacts of MPs on soil physical, chemical, and microbiological properties. Data show that MPs occur widely in all surveyed soil types, such as agricultural soils, industrial soils, urban soils, and unused soils, but show variation in their abundance, type, shape, and size. In most cases, MPs can change soil physical, chemical, and microbiological properties, but the effects vary, and are dependent on polymer type, shape, dose, and size. MPs-induced changes in soil fertility and the availability of pollutants may pose a potential threat to plant performance and crop productivity and safety. Particularly, MPs influence the emission of greenhouse gases from soil, ultimately leading to uncertain consequences for global climate change. More comprehensive and in-depth studies are required to fill large knowledge gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fayuan Wang
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266042, PR China.
| | - Quanlong Wang
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266042, PR China
| | - Catharine A Adams
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA
| | - Yuhuan Sun
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266042, PR China
| | - Shuwu Zhang
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266042, PR China
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158
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Ren X, Wang L, Tang J, Sun H, Giesy JP. Combined effects of degradable film fragments and micro/nanoplastics on growth of wheat seedling and rhizosphere microbes. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 294:118516. [PMID: 34864099 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Multiple sources of microplastics (MPs) in farmland could result in the changing of microbial community and the plant growth. Most studies of MPs in agricultural system have focused on the effects of single types of MPs on growth of plants, while neglect interactions between multiple types of MPs. In this study a pot-experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of multiple types of MPs, including polystyrene beads: M1, 5 μm, M2, 70 nm and degradable mulching film (DMF) fragments on growth of wheat seedlings and associated rhizosphere microbial community. CKD (adding DMF) significantly reduced plant height and base diameter of wheat seedlings. DMF in combination with M2, significantly increased plant height and aboveground biomass, but decreased the base diameter. Actinobacteria was the dominant taxa in the rhizosphere bacterial community in various treatments. PCoA analysis showed that the bacterial composition in M2HD (100 mg kg-1 M2 with DMF) was significantly different from that of CKD and M2LD (10 mg kg-1 M2 with DMF). At the level of genera, the dominant fungi in CKD and M2LD were in the genus Fusarium, which is the cause of wheat fusarium blight and Alternaria, which results in decreased base diameter. In CK (control group) and M2HD, Blastobotrys exhibited the greatest abundance, which assisted wheat seedlings in resisting Verticillium disease. Cluster and PCoA analysis showed the fungal composition in CKD was significantly different from CK, M2LD and M2HD. These findings suggest MPs potentially have selective effects on pathogens that affect growth of plants and potentially safety of the food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinwei Ren
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China; School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Rd., Shanghai, 200240, China; Shanghai Yangtze River Delta Eco-Environmental Change and Management Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science and Technology, 800 Dongchuan Rd, Shanghai, 200240, China; Shanghai Urban Forest Ecosystem Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, 800 Dongchuan Rd., Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Lan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Jingchun Tang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.
| | - Hongwen Sun
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - John P Giesy
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, And Toxicology Program, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada; Department of Environmental Sciences, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA; Department of Zoology and Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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159
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Fajardo C, Martín C, Costa G, Sánchez-Fortún S, Rodríguez C, de Lucas Burneo JJ, Nande M, Mengs G, Martín M. Assessing the role of polyethylene microplastics as a vector for organic pollutants in soil: Ecotoxicological and molecular approaches. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 288:132460. [PMID: 34610374 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs), pharmaceuticals and pesticides are emerging pollutants with proposed negative impacts on the environment. Rising interest in investigations of MPs is likely related to their potential to accumulate in agricultural systems as the base of the food chain. We applied an integrated approach using classic bioassays and molecular methods to evaluate the impact associated with a mixture of three types of polyethylene (PE) microbeads, namely, white (W), blue (B), and fluorescent blue (FB), and their interactions with pollutants (OCs), including ibuprofen (IB), sertraline (STR), amoxicillin (AMX) and simazine (SZ), on different soil organisms. PE-MPs exhibited different abilities for the adsorption of each OC; W selectively adsorbed higher amounts of SZ, whereas B and FB preferably retained AMX. Standard soil was artificially contaminated with OCs and MPs (alone or combined with OCs) and incubated for 30 days. The presence of MPs or MPs and OCs (MIX) in soil did not produce any effect on Caenorhabditis elegans endpoint growth, reproduction, or survival. Inhibition of leaf growth in Zea mays was detected, but this negative effect declined over time, while the inhibition of root growth increased, especially when OCs (32%) or MIX (47%) were added. Moreover, the expression of the antioxidant genes CAT 1, SOD-1A and GST 1 on plants was affected by the treatments studied. The addition of MPs or MIX significantly affected the soil bacterial phylogenetic profile, which selectively enriched members of the bacterial community (particularly Proteobacteria). The predicted functional profiles of MP/MIX samples indicated a potential impact on the carbon and nitrogen cycle within the soil environment. Our results indicate that MPs and their capability to act as pollutant carriers affect soil biota; further studies should be carried out on the bioavailability of OCs adsorbed by microplastics and how long it takes to leach these OCs into different organisms and/or ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Fajardo
- Dpt. of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Universidad de Alcalá de Henares (UAH), W/n San Diego Sq., 28801, Alcalá de Henares, Spain.
| | - Carmen Martín
- Dpt. of Biotechnology-Plant Biology, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), 3 Complutense Ave., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Costa
- Dpt. of Animal Physiology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), W/n Puerta de Hierro Ave., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sebastián Sánchez-Fortún
- Dpt. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), W/n Puerta de Hierro Ave., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Casilda Rodríguez
- Dpt. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), W/n Puerta de Hierro Ave., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose Julio de Lucas Burneo
- Dpt. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), W/n Puerta de Hierro Ave., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mar Nande
- Dpt. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), W/n Puerta de Hierro Ave., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gerardo Mengs
- Dpt. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), W/n Puerta de Hierro Ave., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Margarita Martín
- Dpt. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), W/n Puerta de Hierro Ave., 28040, Madrid, Spain
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160
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Zhang Y, Li X, Xiao M, Feng Z, Yu Y, Yao H. Effects of microplastics on soil carbon dioxide emissions and the microbial functional genes involved in organic carbon decomposition in agricultural soil. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150714. [PMID: 34606872 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in agricultural fields can not only disguise soil organic carbon (SOC) storage but also affect the production of carbon dioxide (CO2) by microbial decomposition. However, little is known about the impact of this emerging pollutant on soil CO2 emissions and the functional genes related to SOC degradation. In the present study, a short-term (30-day) microcosm experiment was performed to investigate the effects of virgin and aged low-density polyethylene (LDPE) MPs on soil CO2 emissions. We also measured functional gene abundances related to starch (sga), hemicellulose (abfA, manB and xylA), cellulose (cex) and lignin (lig and mnp) degradation through a high-throughput quantitative-PCR-based chip. Compared with the soils without MPs, low doses (0.01% and 0.1%) of both virgin and aged MPs had negligible effects on SOC decomposition, whereas a high dose (1.0%) of these two MPs significantly (p < 0.05) accelerated the production of CO2 in soils by 15-17%, showing a dose-dependent effect. The presence of MPs did not significantly affect soil dissolved organic carbon or microbial biomass carbon. A higher metabolic quotient at 1.0% MP concentration indicated that the microbes were stressed and needed more substrates and energy during their metabolic process, which could likely explain the increase in CO2 emission induced by this dose of MPs. Exposure to virgin MPs significantly reduced the functional genes related to hemicellulose (abfA and manB) degradation, whereas increasing the aged MPs concentrations significantly decreased the abundances of functional genes encoding starch (sga), hemicellulose (abfA, manB and xylA), and cellulose (cex) hydrolysis. Overall, we conclude that the low dose (<0.1%) of MPs in the soils has a negligible effect on the production of CO2, but this factor should be considered in evaluating the global C budget in future research as this contaminant reaches a certain threshold (1.0%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxia Zhang
- Research Center for Environmental Ecology and Engineering, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, 206 Guanggu 1st road, Wuhan 430205, China
| | - Xing Li
- Research Center for Environmental Ecology and Engineering, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, 206 Guanggu 1st road, Wuhan 430205, China
| | - Mao Xiao
- Research Center for Environmental Ecology and Engineering, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, 206 Guanggu 1st road, Wuhan 430205, China
| | - Ziyi Feng
- Research Center for Environmental Ecology and Engineering, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, 206 Guanggu 1st road, Wuhan 430205, China
| | - Yongxiang Yu
- Research Center for Environmental Ecology and Engineering, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, 206 Guanggu 1st road, Wuhan 430205, China; Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, Ningbo Urban Environment Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 88 Zhongke Road, Ningbo 315800, China.
| | - Huaiying Yao
- Research Center for Environmental Ecology and Engineering, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, 206 Guanggu 1st road, Wuhan 430205, China; Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, Ningbo Urban Environment Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 88 Zhongke Road, Ningbo 315800, China.
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161
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Sun Y, Duan C, Cao N, Li X, Li X, Chen Y, Huang Y, Wang J. Effects of microplastics on soil microbiome: The impacts of polymer type, shape, and concentration. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150516. [PMID: 34592287 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Increasing research has recognized that the ubiquitous presence of microplastics in terrestrial environments is undeniable, which potentially alters the soil ecosystem properties and processes. The fact that microplastics with diverse characteristics enter into the soil may induce distinct effects on soil ecosystems. Our knowledge of the impacts of microplastics with different polymers, shapes, and concentrations on soil bacterial communities is still limited. To address this, we examined the effects of spherical microplastics (150 μm) with different polymers (i.e., polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and polypropylene (PP)) and four shapes of PP microplastics (i.e., fiber, film, foam, and particle) at a constant concentration (1%, w/w) on the soil bacterial community in an agricultural soil over 60 days. Treatments with different concentrations (0.01-20%, w/w) of PP microplastic particles (150 μm) were also included. The bacterial communities in PE and PP treatments showed a similar pattern but separated from those in PS-treated soils, indicating the polymer backbone structure is an important factor modulating the soil bacterial responses. Fiber, foam, and film microplastics significantly affected the soil bacterial composition as compared to the particle. The community dissimilarity of soil bacteria was significantly (R2 = 0.592, p < 0.001) correlated with the changes of microplastic concentration. The random forest model identified that certain bacteria belonging to Patescibacteria were closely linked to microplastic contamination. Additionally, analysis of the predicted function further showed that microplastics with different characteristics caused distinct effects on microbial community function. Our findings suggested that the idiosyncrasies of microplastics should not be neglected when studying their effects on terrestrial ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanze Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Chongxue Duan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Na Cao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xinfei Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaomin Li
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yumei Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yi Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
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162
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Luo G, Jin T, Zhang H, Peng J, Zuo N, Huang Y, Han Y, Tian C, Yang Y, Peng K, Fei J. Deciphering the diversity and functions of plastisphere bacterial communities in plastic-mulching croplands of subtropical China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 422:126865. [PMID: 34449345 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Considering the inhomogeneity of plastisphere and surrounding soil, it is plausible that the microbial community colonizing it also varies, affecting soil services and sustainability. Herein, we analyzed the soil and film residue from fifty-five plastic-mulching croplands in the subtropical areas of China. Based on the outcomes of this analysis, we explored the diversity and functions of the associated bacterial communities. Alpha-diversity and phylogenetic diversity of the plastisphere bacterial community was significantly lower than the surrounding soil. The average net relatedness and net nearest taxa indices of samples were less than zero. Four phyla and twenty genera were enriched in the plastisphere compared to the surrounding soil. Ecological networks of the plastisphere community showed multiple nodes, but fewer interactions, and the members of Bradyrhizobium, Rhodospirillaceae, and Bacillus were indicated as the hub species. Predicted pathways related to human disease, as well as the metabolisms of cofactors, vitamins, amino acids, and xenobiotic biodegradation, were reinforced in the plastisphere, and meanwhile, accompanied by an increase in abundance of genes related to carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles. These results demonstrated the diversity and functions of the plastisphere microbiome and highlighted the necessity for exploring the ecological and health risks of plastic residue in croplands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gongwen Luo
- College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Changsha 410128, China; Key laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Tuo Jin
- College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Changsha 410128, China; Rural Energy and Environment Agency, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural affairs, Beijing 100125, China
| | - Huiru Zhang
- College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Jianwei Peng
- College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Changsha 410128, China.
| | - Ning Zuo
- Resource Protection and Utilization Station, Hunan Agriculture and Rural Affairs Department, Changsha 410005, China
| | - Ying Huang
- College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Yongliang Han
- College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Chang Tian
- College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Yong Yang
- College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Kewei Peng
- College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Jiangchi Fei
- College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Changsha 410128, China.
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163
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Wei H, Wu L, Liu Z, Saleem M, Chen X, Xie J, Zhang J. Meta-analysis reveals differential impacts of microplastics on soil biota. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 230:113150. [PMID: 34999340 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.113150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Contamination of microplastics (MPs) is a global environmental issue that has received much attention from the scientific and public communities due to ecological concerns in recent decades. Comparing with aquatic ecosystems, soil systems, regardless of the high importance and complexity, have been less studied under widely existing and increasing MP contamination. This review, combined with data assimilation and meta-analysis methods, has summarized current contamination conditions of soil MPs across different sites reported in earlier studies. While performing this meta-analysis, we investigated the effects of MPs on soil biota including their numbers, biomass, diversity, and physiological properties. The results showed that abundance of soil MPs ranged from 0.34 to 410958.9 items kg-1 and concentration ranged from 0.002 to 67500 mg kg-1 across sites, with agricultural soils containing significantly lower abundance and concentration of MPs than others. Presence of MPs significantly decreased the individual number of soil biota, operational taxonomic unit, diversity index (Simpson), movement index and reproduction rate, whereas the mortality rate was significantly increased by the soil MPs. Despite these significant effects, MPs did not significantly alter the biomass of soil biota, which could be due to a counteraction of their negative and positive effects on different groups of soil organisms. Moreover, we observed that soil MPs could significantly increase the Chao1 index, suggesting that MPs may act as a food resource for the soil rare biosphere. Based on the existing knowledge, we suggest that future studies should focus on research areas that include but are not limited to methodological improvements, intensive field investigations, risk assessment from the perspective of soil food web and bioaccumulation, MPs induced antibiotic resistance, and restoration strategies to reduce their concentrations in soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-circular Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in the Tropics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Lizhu Wu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Ziqiang Liu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Muhammad Saleem
- Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL 36104, USA
| | - Xuan Chen
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jiefen Xie
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-circular Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in the Tropics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jiaen Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-circular Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in the Tropics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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164
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Joos L, De Tender C. Soil under stress: The importance of soil life and how it is influenced by (micro)plastic pollution. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:1554-1566. [PMID: 35422972 PMCID: PMC8991314 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
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165
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Han L, Chen L, Li D, Ji Y, Feng Y, Feng Y, Yang Z. Influence of polyethylene terephthalate microplastic and biochar co-existence on paddy soil bacterial community structure and greenhouse gas emission. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 292:118386. [PMID: 34678391 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) contamination is ubiquitous in agricultural soils. As a cost-effective soil amendment, biochar (BC) often coincides with MP exposure. However, little research has been conducted regarding the independent and combined effects of MPs and BC on the soil microbiome and N2O/CH4 emissions. Therefore, in this study, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and wheat straw-derived BC were used, respectively, as representative MP and BC during an entire rice growth period. The high-throughput sequencing results showed that PET alone lowered bacterial diversity by 26.7%, while PET and BC co-existence did not induce apparent change. The relative abundances of some microbes (e.g., Cyanobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, and Bacteroidetes) that are associated with C and N cycling were changed at the phylum and class levels by all the treatments. In comparison with the control, the treatment of BC, PET, and their co-existence reduced the cumulative CH4 emissions by 50%, 53%, and 61%, respectively. The higher mitigation by BC + PET may be the result of higher soil Eh and a consequently lower methanogenesis functional gene mcrA abundance in the treated soils. In addition, BC and PET alone, as well as their combined treatment, increased the abundance of nitrification genes, enhancing the soil nitrification process. However, the relative contribution of the nitrification process to N2O emission was possibly lower than that of denitrification, in which the N2O reductase gene nosZ was found to be the primary gene regulating N2O emissions. BC alone increased nosZ abundance by 42.3%, thereby showing the potential in suppressing N2O emission. In contrast, when BC was co-added with PET, the nosZ abundance lowered possibly because of increased soil aeration, and thus its cumulative N2O emission was 38% higher than the BC treatment. Overall, these results demonstrated that BC and PET function differently in soil ecosystems when they coexisted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanfang Han
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Liying Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Detian Li
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in Downstream of Yangtze Plain, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety / State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Yang Ji
- College of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China
| | - Yuanyuan Feng
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in Downstream of Yangtze Plain, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety / State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Yanfang Feng
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in Downstream of Yangtze Plain, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety / State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China.
| | - Zhifeng Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
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166
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Fan P, Tan W, Yu H. Effects of different concentrations and types of microplastics on bacteria and fungi in alkaline soil. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 229:113045. [PMID: 34890986 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.113045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The threat of microplastic (MP) pollution of soil ecosystems has aroused global concern; however, relatively few studies have focused on the effects of MPs on both bacterial and fungal communities in soil. In this study, a 310-day soil incubation experiment was designed to examine the effects of 7% and 14% (W/W) polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) MPs on soil enzyme activities and soil bacterial as well as fungal communities. The findings revealed that all three kinds of MPs stimulated soil enzyme activities, with 14% PVC, 7% PS, and 14% PE having the greatest impact on the activities of catalase, urease, and alkaline phosphatase. MPs did not change the types but the relative abundance of these phyla in soil. MPs mainly increased the abundance of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Ascomycota as well as declined the abundance of Acidobacteria, Basidiomycota, and Chytridiomycota. The response of fungi to MPs was stronger than that of bacteria, and the diversity of fungal communities was more sensitive to the impact of MPs than that of bacterial communities. PVC had the greatest impact on the diversity of microbial communities. PICRUSt analysis revealed that MPs mainly promoted the metabolic function of soil bacteria. Based on the FUNGuid tool, it was found that MPs had significant effects on fungi, which were closely related to plant growth. These results indicate that the impact of MPs on soil microbial communities depends on the type and concentration of MPs and that bacteria and fungi are affected differently by MPs. Future studies could be focused on the different effects of MPs on fungi and bacteria, and what effect will this difference have on plant growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Fan
- Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, School of Resources Environmental & Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, and State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Wenbing Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, and State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Hong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, School of Resources Environmental & Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, and State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China.
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167
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Ya H, Jiang B, Xing Y, Zhang T, Lv M, Wang X. Recent advances on ecological effects of microplastics on soil environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 798:149338. [PMID: 34375233 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The mass production and wide application of plastics and their derivatives have led to the release of a large number of discarded plastic products into the natural environment, where they continue to accumulate due to their low recycling rate and long durability. These large pieces of plastic will gradually break into microplastics (<5 mm), which are highly persistent organic pollutants and attract worldwide attention due to their small particle size and potential threats to the ecosystem. Compared with the aquatic system, terrestrial systems such as soils, as sinks for microplastics, are more susceptible to plastic pollution. In this article, we comprehensively summarized the occurrence and sources of microplastics in terrestrial soil, and reviewed the eco-toxicological effects of microplastics in soil ecosystems, in terms of physical and chemical properties of soil, soil nutrient cycling, soil flora and fauna. The influence of microplastics on soil microbial community, and particularly the microbial community on the surface of microplastics, were examined in detail. The compound effects of microplastics and other pollutants, e.g., heavy metals and antibiotics, were addressed. Future challenges of research on microplastics include development of new techniques and standardization for the extraction and qualitative and quantitative analysis of microplastics in soils, toxic effects of microplastics at microbial or even molecular levels, the contribution of microplastics to antibiotic resistance genes migration, and unraveling microorganisms for the degradation of microplastics. This work provides as a better understanding of the occurrence, distribution and potential ecological risks of microplastics in terrestrial soil ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haobo Ya
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Bo Jiang
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for Site Remediation Technologies, Beijing 100015, PR China.
| | - Yi Xing
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Tian Zhang
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Mingjie Lv
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Xin Wang
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China
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168
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Azeem I, Adeel M, Ahmad MA, Shakoor N, Jiangcuo GD, Azeem K, Ishfaq M, Shakoor A, Ayaz M, Xu M, Rui Y. Uptake and Accumulation of Nano/Microplastics in Plants: A Critical Review. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:2935. [PMID: 34835700 PMCID: PMC8618759 DOI: 10.3390/nano11112935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in the environment is an undeniable and serious concern due to their higher persistence and extensive use in agricultural production. This review highlights the sources and fate of MPs and NPs in soil and their uptake, translocation, and physiological effects in the plant system. We provide the current snapshot of the latest reported studies with the majority of literature spanning the last five years. We draw attention to the potential risk of MPs and NPs in modern agriculture and their effects on plant growth and development. We also highlight their uptake and transport pathways in roots and leaves via different exposure methods in plants. Conclusively, agricultural practices, climate changes (wet weather and heavy rainfall), and soil organisms play a major role in transporting MPs and NPs in soil. NPs are more prone to enter plant cell walls as compared to MPs. Furthermore, transpiration pull is the dominant factor in the plant uptake and translocation of plastic particles. MPs have negligible negative effects on plant physiological and biochemical indicators. Overall, there is a dire need to establish long-term studies for a better understanding of their fate and associated risks mechanisms in realistic environment scenarios for safe agricultural functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Azeem
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (I.A.); (N.S.)
| | - Muhammad Adeel
- BNU-HKUST Laboratory of Green Innovation, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University Zhuhai Subcampus, Zhuhai 519087, China;
| | - Muhammad Arslan Ahmad
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource and Eco-Environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China;
| | - Noman Shakoor
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (I.A.); (N.S.)
| | - Gama Dingba Jiangcuo
- BNU-HKUST Laboratory of Green Innovation, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University Zhuhai Subcampus, Zhuhai 519087, China;
| | - Kamran Azeem
- Department of Agronomy, the University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan;
| | - Muhammad Ishfaq
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China;
| | - Awais Shakoor
- Department of Environment and Soil Sciences, University of Lleida, Avinguda Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain;
| | - Muhammad Ayaz
- Lithuanian Research Center for Agriculture and Forestry Instituto al. 1, 58344 Akademija, Lithuania;
| | - Ming Xu
- BNU-HKUST Laboratory of Green Innovation, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University Zhuhai Subcampus, Zhuhai 519087, China;
| | - Yukui Rui
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (I.A.); (N.S.)
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169
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Yu H, Zhang Z, Zhang Y, Song Q, Fan P, Xi B, Tan W. Effects of microplastics on soil organic carbon and greenhouse gas emissions in the context of straw incorporation: A comparison with different types of soil. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 288:117733. [PMID: 34256289 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Plastic mulching and straw incorporation are common agricultural practices in China. Plastic mulching is suspected to be a significant source of microplastics in terrestrial environments. Straw incorporation has many effects on the storage of soil organic carbon (SOC) and greenhouse gas emissions, but these effects have not been studied in the presence of microplastic pollution. In this study, 365-day soil incubation experiments were conducted to assess the effects of maize straw and polyethylene microplastics on SOC fractions and carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in two different soils (fluvo-aquic and latosol). Against the background of straw incorporation, microplastics reduced the mineralization and decomposition of SOC, resulting in a microbially available SOC content decrease by 18.9%. In addition, microplastics were carbon-rich, but relatively stable and difficult to be used by microorganisms, thus increasing the mineral-associated SOC content by 52.5%. This indicated that microplastics had adverse effects on microbially available SOC and positive effects on mineral-associated SOC. Microplastics also decreased coarse particulate SOC (>250 μm), and increased non-aggregated silt and clay aggregated SOC (<53 μm). Furthermore, microplastics changed microbial community compositions, thereby reducing the CO2 and N2O emissions of straw incorporation by 26.5%-33.9% and 35.4%-39.7%, respectively. These results showed that microplastics partially offset the increase of CO2 and N2O emissions induced by straw incorporation. Additionally, the inhibitory effect of microplastics on CO2 emissions in fluvo-aquic soil was lower than that in latosol soil, whereas the inhibitory effect on N2O emissions had the opposite trend.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, And State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Center for Soil Environmental Protection, Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, And State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Qidao Song
- Institute of Scientific and Technical Information, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, 571101, China
| | - Ping Fan
- College of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Beidou Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, And State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China.
| | - Wenbing Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, And State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
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170
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Guo QQ, Xiao MR, Zhang GS. The persistent impacts of polyester microfibers on soil bio-physical properties following thermal treatment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 420:126671. [PMID: 34329074 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Soilborne microplastics can persist for decades and their consequences are of growing concern. Therefore, it is important to explore the feasible approaches for eliminating microplastic effects on soil properties. Through an incubation experiment, we evaluate the effects of thermal treatment on physical properties, enzymatic activities and microbial communities in polyester-microfibers contaminated soils. The effects of polyester-microfiber levels (0%, 0.1%, 0.3% and 1.0% of soil dry weight) on soil properties were detected under not heated (PMF), heated (mPMF) and added with natural-organic-matters (OM) following heated (mPMF+OM) conditions. Our results showed that 1.0% mPMF soil had lower bulk density and higher mean weight diameter than 0% mPMF soil, akin to PMF soils. Meanwhile, great volumes of < 30 µm pores in 0.3% and 1.0% mPMF soils were observed than that in 0% mPMF soil. Additionally, the dose-effects of melted polyester-microfiber on soil enzymatic activities and bacterial communities were still observed following thermal treatment, even under the OM added condition. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that polyester microfibers influenced soil microbial communities and functioning via altering specific soil physical properties, regardless of thermal treatment or not. Results of this study should be useful to guide further develop viable methods for remediating soils contaminated with microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q Q Guo
- Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology and Health in Universities of Yunnan Province, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - M R Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology and Health in Universities of Yunnan Province, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - G S Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology and Health in Universities of Yunnan Province, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plant Reproductive Adaptation and Evolutionary Ecology, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China.
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171
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Yan Y, Chen Z, Zhu F, Zhu C, Wang C, Gu C. Effect of Polyvinyl Chloride Microplastics on Bacterial Community and Nutrient Status in Two Agricultural Soils. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2021; 107:602-609. [PMID: 32556686 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-020-02900-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge of the influence of microplastics on soil microbiome and nutrients is important for understanding the ecological consequences of microplastic pollution in terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, we investigated whether polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastic pollution at environmentally relevant concentrations would affect soil bacterial community and available nitrogen/phosphorus content. The results showed that although PVC microplastics at 0.1% and 1% levels did not have a significant effect on overall bacterial community diversity and composition in soil over the course of 35 days, a number of bacterial genera were significantly reduced or enriched by the presence of microplastics. Potentially due to their effect on certain functional groups, microplastics caused a significant change in soil available P content. It is noteworthy that, depending on soil type, pollution level and plasticizer presence, contrasting effects of microplastics may be observed. Further research is definitely warranted to gain a clearer picture of the threats posed by microplastic pollution in soil environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhanghao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Fengxiao Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China.
| | - Changyin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
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172
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Yu H, Zhang Y, Tan W. The "neighbor avoidance effect" of microplastics on bacterial and fungal diversity and communities in different soil horizons. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2021; 8:100121. [PMID: 36157000 PMCID: PMC9488088 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2021.100121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are a new type of environmental pollutant, and pose a serious threat to soil ecosystems. It is important to study microplastics effects on soil microorganisms to better understand their effects on terrestrial ecosystems. Therefore, we collected soil and microplastic samples from corn, pepper, peanut and cucumber fields in Shunyi District, Beijing, China, and used Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing technology to analyze bacterial and fungal community composition and diversity. We focused on microplastic surface and its surrounding "rhizosphere-like" soil in the 0-10 cm (humus) and 10-20 cm (eluvial) deep horizons. Microbial richness and diversity on microplastic surface were significantly lower than those in surrounding "rhizosphere-like" soil, and microbial richness and diversity were reduced to a greater extent in the humus horizon than in the eluvial horizon. Microplastics likely enriched the microbes involved in their biodegradation. The relative abundance levels of Cyanobacteria and Basidiomycota on microplastic surfaces were significantly higher than those in surrounding "rhizosphere-like" soil, while the relative abundance levels of Acidobacteria, Chloreflexi, and Mortierellomycota were higher in "rhizosphere-like" soil. Furthermore, the relative abundance levels of pathways related to human diseases, animal pathogen, and fungal parasites were significantly higher on microplastic surfaces than in "rhizosphere-like" soil. These results show that the microbial diversity, richness, community structure and function between microplastic surfaces and surrounding "rhizosphere-like" soil are significantly different, leading to a "rhizosphere-like neighbor avoidance effect" between microplastic surfaces and the surrounding soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- Corresponding author. State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China.
| | - Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- Corresponding author. State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China.
| | - Wenbing Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
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173
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Allouzi MMA, Tang DYY, Chew KW, Rinklebe J, Bolan N, Allouzi SMA, Show PL. Micro (nano) plastic pollution: The ecological influence on soil-plant system and human health. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 788:147815. [PMID: 34034191 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Global plastic pollution has been a serious problem since many years and micro (nano) plastics (MNPs) have gained attention from researchers around the world. This is because MNPs able to exhibit toxicology and interact with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the environment, causing soil toxicity. The influences of MNPs on the soil systems and plant crops have been overlooked despite that MNPs can accumulate in the plant root system and generate detrimental impacts to the terrestrial environments. The consumption of these MNPs-contaminated plants or fruits by humans and animals will eventually lead to health deterioration. The identification and measurement of MNPs in various soil samples is challenging, making the understanding of the fate, environmental and ecological of MNPs in terrestrial ecosystem is limited. Prior to sample assessment, it is necessary to isolate the plastic particles from the environment samples, concentrate the plastic particles for analysis purpose to meet detection limit for analytical instrument. The isolation and pre-concentrated steps are challenging and may cause sample loss. Herein, this article reviews MNPs, including their fate in the environment and toxic effects exhibited towards soil microorganisms, plants and humans along with the interaction of MNPs with PTEs. In addition, various analysis methods of MNPs and management of MNPs as well as the crucial challenges and future research studies in combating MNPs in soil system are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mintallah Mousa A Allouzi
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Doris Ying Ying Tang
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Kit Wayne Chew
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia, Jalan Sunsuria, Bandar Sunsuria, 43900 Sepang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, Fujian, China
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Laboratory of Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany; Department of Environment, Energy and Geoinformatics, Sejong University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Nanthi Bolan
- College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle (UON), Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Safa Mousa A Allouzi
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Bioscience, and Nursing, MAHSA University, Jln SP 2, Bandar Saujana Putra, 42610 Jenjarom, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Pau Loke Show
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
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174
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Agathokleous E, Iavicoli I, Barceló D, Calabrese EJ. Ecological risks in a 'plastic' world: A threat to biological diversity? JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 417:126035. [PMID: 33992919 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics pollution is predicted to increase in the coming decades, raising concerns about its effects on living organisms. Although the effects of microplastics on individual organisms have been extensively studied, the effects on communities, biological diversity, and ecosystems remain underexplored. This paper reviews the published literature concerning how microplastics affect communities, biological diversity, and ecosystem processes. Microplastics increase the abundance of some taxa but decrease the abundance of some other taxa, indicating trade-offs among taxa and altered microbial community composition in both the natural environment and animals' gut. The alteration of community composition by microplastics is highly conserved across taxonomic ranks, while the alpha diversity of microbiota is often reduced or increased, depending on the microplastics dose and environmental conditions, suggesting potential threats to biodiversity. Biogeochemical cycles, greenhouse gas fluxes, and atmospheric chemistry, can also be altered by microplastics pollution. These findings suggest that microplastics may impact the U.N. Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) to improve atmospheric, soil, and water quality and sustaining biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenios Agathokleous
- Key Laboratory of Agrometeorology of Jiangsu Province, Department of Ecology, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology (NUIST), Nanjing 210044, China.
| | - Ivo Iavicoli
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Damià Barceló
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, C/ Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; Catalan Institute for Water Research, ICRA-CERCA, Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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175
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Baho DL, Bundschuh M, Futter MN. Microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems: Moving beyond the state of the art to minimize the risk of ecological surprise. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2021; 27:3969-3986. [PMID: 34042229 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (plastic particles measuring <5mm) pollution is ubiquitous. Unlike in other well-studied ecosystems, for example, marine and freshwater environments, microplastics in terrestrial systems are relatively understudied. Their potential impacts on terrestrial environments, in particular the risk of causing ecological surprise, must be better understood and quantified. Ecological surprise occurs when ecosystem behavior deviates radically from expectations and generally has negative consequences for ecosystem services. The properties and behavior of microplastics within terrestrial environments may increase their likelihood of causing ecological surprises as they (a) are highly persistent global pollutants that will last for centuries, (b) can interact with the abiotic environment in a complex manner, (c) can impact terrestrial organisms directly or indirectly and (d) interact with other contaminants and can facilitate their transport. Here, we compiled findings of previous research on microplastics in terrestrial environments. We systematically focused on studies addressing different facets of microplastics related to their distribution, dispersion, impact on soil characteristics and functions, levels of biological organization of tested terrestrial biota (single species vs. assemblages), scale of experimental study and corresponding ecotoxicological effects. Our systematic assessment of previous microplastic research revealed that most studies have been conducted on single species under laboratory conditions with short-term exposures; few studies were conducted under more realistic long-term field conditions and/or with multi-species assemblages. Studies targeting multi-species assemblages primarily considered soil bacterial communities and showed that microplastics can alter essential nutrient cycling functions. More ecologically meaningful studies of terrestrial microplastics encompassing multi-species assemblages, critical ecological processes (e.g., biogeochemical cycles and pollination) and interactions with other anthropogenic stressors must be conducted. Addressing these knowledge gaps will provide a better understanding of microplastics as emerging global stressors and should lower the risk of ecological surprise in terrestrial ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didier L Baho
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mirco Bundschuh
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Functional Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Martyn N Futter
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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176
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Wang F, Wang X, Song N. Polyethylene microplastics increase cadmium uptake in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) by altering the soil microenvironment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 784:147133. [PMID: 33895518 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Little research has focused on the combined pollution of microplastics (MPs) and heavy metals in soil, especially the mechanism of their interaction. We conducted a 45-day microcosm experiment to test the hypothesis that polyethylene (PE) MPs and cadmium (Cd) had a joint toxicity to lettuce fitness. The effects of MPs at different addition ratios on Cd bioavailability and soil properties were also investigated in the microenvironment of three levels of Cd-contaminated soils. The results showed that the 10% MPs had an adverse impact on the plant biomass and significantly decreased soil pH and cation exchange capacity (CEC), but significantly increased soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The presence of MPs increased the soil Cd bioavailability and plant Cd concentrations and accumulations across all three levels of Cd-contaminated soils, which potentially aggregated the combined toxicity. The amounts of the bacterial 16SRNA and the fungal ITSRNA genes displayed a hormesis effect in response to the MP addition ratios while the abundance of Cd resistance genes cadA and czcA increased across all three Cd levels. The regression path analysis indicated that MPs affected shoot Cd concentrations by altering soil properties, which directly and indirectly contributed to the alteration mechanism, while the soil pH, DOC, and Cd bioavailability played core roles. The results suggest that the co-exposure of PE MPs in heavy metal-contaminated soil may therefore increase the toxicity, uptake, accumulation, and bioavailability of heavy metals by altering the properties of the soil microenvironment, which deserves further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangli Wang
- Qingdao Engineering Research Center for Rural Environment, School of Resources and Environment, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, PR China
| | - Xuexia Wang
- Institute of plant nutrition and resources, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, PR China
| | - Ningning Song
- Qingdao Engineering Research Center for Rural Environment, School of Resources and Environment, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, PR China.
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177
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Xu G, Liu Y, Yu Y. Effects of polystyrene microplastics on uptake and toxicity of phenanthrene in soybean. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 783:147016. [PMID: 33872902 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) can influence the availability of contaminants in the soil and have adverse effects on plants. Up to now, the effects of MPs on the uptake of organic pollutants by leguminous plants are still unclear. In this study, we explored the impacts and mechanisms of polystyrene MPs of different sizes on the uptake of phenanthrene (Phe) by soybean seedlings. The results showed that MPs decreased the uptake of Phe in soybean roots and leaves. Micron-size MPs showed a higher inhibition of Phe uptake in roots than nano-size MPs (4.83 mg/kg) at the beginning with concentrations of 1.89 mg/kg, 3.40 mg/kg, and 0.72 mg/kg in groups 1 μm, 10 μm, and 100 μm MPs/Phe, respectively. The combined toxicity of micron-size MPs and Phe to soybean plants was higher than that of nano-size MPs and Phe, and 100 μm MPs and Phe co-contaminant show the highest toxicity to soybean. The activities of antioxidative enzymes and their gene expression showed that micron-size MPs induced higher genotoxic and oxidative damage to soybean roots than nano-size MPs, which decreased the activity of roots, thus leading to the lower uptake of Phe by soybean roots and leaves. This study highlights that the combined exposure to MPs and Phe causes harmful effects on soybean plants and MPs inhibit the uptake of organic pollutants by higher plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghui Xu
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China.
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178
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Mallik A, Xavier KAM, Naidu BC, Nayak BB. Ecotoxicological and physiological risks of microplastics on fish and their possible mitigation measures. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 779:146433. [PMID: 33743469 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are widely distributed and extensively found within marine ecosystems, and approximately 8 million tons of plastics are being dumped into the sea annually. Once reached the marine environment, plastics tend to get fragmented into smaller particles through photo-degradation, mechanical and biological processes. These MPs have raised concerns globally due to their potential toxic impacts on a wide variety of aquatic fauna and humans. Ingested microplastics can cause severe health implications in fishes, including reduced feeding intensity, improper gill functioning, immuno-suppression, and compromised reproducibility. Several studies were also conducted to scrutinize MPs trophic transfer through the food chain from primary producers to top predators and their bioaccumulation. This paper briefly summarizes all the possible sources, routes, bioavailability, trophic transfer, and consequences of microplastics in fishes. The review article also intended to highlight various mitigation strategies like implementing Four R's concept (refuse, reduce, reuse, and recycle), integrated strategies, ban on single-use plastics, use bioplastics, and create behavioural changes with public awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijit Mallik
- Fishery Resource Harvest and Postharvest Management Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Versova, Mumbai 400061, Maharashtra, India
| | - K A Martin Xavier
- Fishery Resource Harvest and Postharvest Management Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Versova, Mumbai 400061, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Bejawada Chanikya Naidu
- Fishery Resource Harvest and Postharvest Management Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Versova, Mumbai 400061, Maharashtra, India
| | - Binaya Bhusan Nayak
- Fishery Resource Harvest and Postharvest Management Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Versova, Mumbai 400061, Maharashtra, India
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179
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Thepwilai S, Wangritthikraikul K, Chawchai S, Bissen R. Testing the factors controlling the numbers of microplastics on beaches along the western Gulf of Thailand. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 168:112467. [PMID: 33989955 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic pollution is one of the most significant global environmental concerns. This study represents a first attempt to establish connections between the concentration of microplastics and both ocean surface circulation direction and land-based sources along the western Gulf of Thailand. Microplastics at the high-tide line from 25 beaches in 5 provinces were quantified. Observed amounts range from 20 to 273 (max. 5741) pieces/kg. Sheets were the most common shape and black the most common color of microplastics. Our study showed a significant, positive correlation between the number of microplastics and land-based sources (e.g., aquatic industries). While human activities were the dominant factor affecting microplastic concentrations, the newly designed surface circulation direction (SCD) index reflected relative changes in microplastic amounts. Our study identified several locations with substantial microplastic pollution which require a proper management system with appropriate laws and regulations, and a public awareness campaign about effects of microplastics on ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supakorn Thepwilai
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | | | - Sakonvan Chawchai
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Raphael Bissen
- Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
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180
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Rong L, Zhao L, Zhao L, Cheng Z, Yao Y, Yuan C, Wang L, Sun H. LDPE microplastics affect soil microbial communities and nitrogen cycling. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 773:145640. [PMID: 33582358 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are a contaminant of increasing concern in the environment. However, the impacts of MPs on soil ecosystems and biogeochemical processes like nitrogen cycle have not been well elucidated. In this study, we designed an indoor microcosm experiment to investigate the effects of exposure to low density polyethylene (LDPE) MPs on soil bacterial community and nitrogen cycling function over a 90-day incubation. Next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes revealed that both 2% and 7% LDPE MPs exposure slightly affected the soil bacterial diversity. Further analysis at the genus level showed differential tolerance to LDPE MPs, the genera Pedomicrobium, Steroidobacter, Pseudonocardia, Nitrospira and Turicibacter were enriched in the soil with 2% (w/w) LDPE MPs amendment, while the genera Pedomicrobium, Mycobacterium and Hyphomicrobium were significantly enriched in the soil with 7% (w/w) LDPE MPs amendment on days 15 and 30. Co-occurrence network analysis further suggested that LDPE MPs changed bacterial network complexity and modularity and Acidobacteria formed intimate associations with each other in responding to LDPE MPs exposure. Additionally, LDPE MPs in soil increased the abundance of nifH, AOBamoA and nirK genes involved in nitrogen cycling in different incubation phases compared to the control. The abundance of AOAamoA genes decreased on day 15 and then increased. Conversely, the abundance of nirS genes increased during the first 15 days and then decreased. These results suggested that both 2% and 7% LDPE MPs impact soil bacterial network structure and alters functional groups involved in soil nitrogen cycling processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Rong
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Longfei Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Leicheng Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Zhipeng Cheng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yiming Yao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Chaolei Yuan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Lei Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hongwen Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
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181
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Ren X, Tang J, Wang L, Sun H. Combined Effects of Microplastics and Biochar on the Removal of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Phthalate Esters and Its Potential Microbial Ecological Mechanism. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:647766. [PMID: 33995304 PMCID: PMC8120302 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.647766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have been attracting wide attention. Biochar (BC) application could improve the soil quality in the contaminated soil. Currently, most studies focused on the effect of MPs or BC on the soil properties and microbial community, while they neglected the combined effects. This study investigated the combined effects of BC or ball-milled BC (BM) and polyethylene plastic fragments (PEPFs) and degradable plastic fragments (DPFs) on the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phthalate esters (PAEs) from the PAH-contaminated soil and the potential microbial ecological mechanisms. The results showed that BC or BM combined with PEPF could accelerate the removal of PAHs and PAEs. PEPF combined with BM had the most significant effect on the removal of PAHs. Our results indicating two potential possible reasons contribute to increasing the removal of organic pollutants: (1) the high sorption rate on the PEPF and BC and (2) the increased PAH-degrader or PAE-degrader abundance for the removal of organic pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinwei Ren
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Yangtze River Delta Eco-Environmental Change and Management Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Urban Forest Ecosystem Research Station, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingchun Tang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongwen Sun
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
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182
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Li HZ, Zhu D, Lindhardt JH, Lin SM, Ke X, Cui L. Long-Term Fertilization History Alters Effects of Microplastics on Soil Properties, Microbial Communities, and Functions in Diverse Farmland Ecosystem. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:4658-4668. [PMID: 33754703 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c04849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) pollution has caused a threat to soil ecosystem diversity and functioning globally. Recently, an increasing number of studies have reported effects of MPs on soil ecosystems. However, these studies mainly focused on soil bacterial communities and a few limited functional genes, which is why MPs effects on soil ecosystems are still not fully understood. Fertilization treatment often coinsides with MPs exposure in practice. Here, we studied effects of an environmentally relevant concentration of polyethylene on soil properties, microbial communities, and functions under different soil types and fertilization history. Our results showed that 0.2% PE MPs exposure could affect soil pH, but this effect varied according to soil type and fertilization history. Long-term fertilization history could alter effects of MPs on soil bacterial and fungal communities in diverse farmland ecosystems (P < 0.05). Soil fungal communities are more sensitive to MPs than bacterial communities under 0.2% PE MPs exposure. MPs exposure has a greater impact on the soil ecosystem with a lower microbial diversity and functional genes abundance and increases the abundance of pathogenic microorganisms. These findings provided an integrated picture to aid our understanding of the impact of MPs on diverse farmland ecosystems with different fertilization histories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Zhe Li
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Jonathan Hessner Lindhardt
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research, Beijing, China
| | - Shao-Min Lin
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, FuZhou 350002, China
| | - Xin Ke
- Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institute of Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Li Cui
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen 361021, China
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183
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Hou J, Xu X, Yu H, Xi B, Tan W. Comparing the long-term responses of soil microbial structures and diversities to polyethylene microplastics in different aggregate fractions. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 149:106398. [PMID: 33503554 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) alter soil aggregation stability. However, studies have yet to determine whether these alterations further affect microbial community structures and diversities within different soil aggregates and whether they influence the responses of soil microbial structures and diversities to MPs in different aggregate fractions. In this study, long-term soil incubation experiments and soil fractionation were combined to investigate the effects of polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) on soil aggregate properties and microbial communities in soil aggregates with different particle sizes. Results showed that the existence of PE-MPs significantly reduced the physicochemical properties of soil aggregates, inhibited the activities of soil enzymes, and changed the richness and diversity of bacterial and fungal communities. Such variations exerted notable differences in soil aggregate levels. The response sensitivity of bacteria in the silt and clay fraction was higher than that in the macroaggregate fraction, but the response sensitivity of fungi in the macroaggregate fraction was higher than that in the silt and clay fraction. Relationships and path analysis between soil aggregate properties and microbial communities after PE-MPs addition were proposed. PE-MPs affected microbial community structures by directly and indirectly influencing soil microenvironmental conditions. The relative abundances of Acidobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Bacteroides, Basidiomycota, Chtridiomyota, and Glomeromycota were significantly correlated with physicochemical properties and soil enzyme activities. Enzyme activities were direct factors influencing soil microbial community structures, and physicochemical properties (i.e., dissolved organic carbon, soil available phosphorus) could indirectly affect these structures by acting on soil enzyme activities. Our findings helped improve our understanding of the responses of soil microbial structures and diversities to MPs through the perspective of different soil aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhua Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, and State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China; School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, PR China
| | - Xiangjian Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, and State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China
| | - Hong Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, and State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China; College of Water Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China.
| | - Beidou Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, and State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China; College of Water Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China; School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, PR China.
| | - Wenbing Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, and State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China
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184
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Zhang X, Xia X, Dai M, Cen J, Zhou L, Xie J. Microplastic pollution and its relationship with the bacterial community in coastal sediments near Guangdong Province, South China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 760:144091. [PMID: 33360172 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The ecological stress caused by microplastic (MP) pollution in marine environments has attracted global attention. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between MP pollution and the microbial community in natural sediments. This study was the first to systematically characterize MP pollution (i.e., its abundance, shape, size and color) and investigate its relationship with the bacterial community in coastal sediments from Guangdong, South China, by microscopic observation and Illumina sequencing. The results of this study indicated that the abundance of microplastics (MPs), which was 344 ± 24 items/kg in 33 coastal sediments from 11 sites from South China, represented a relatively high level of MP pollution. MPs with sizes of <0.5 m, 0.5-1.0 mm and 1-2 mm accounted for the highest proportion (75%) in the sediments. Fiber/film (82%) and white/blue (91%) were the dominant shapes and colors, respectively, in all MP samples. Furthermore, the abundances, three shapes (fiber, film and fragment), three sizes (<0.5 mm, 0.5-1.0 mm and 1-2 mm), and two colors (blue and white) of MPs displayed positive correlations with some potential pathogens, including Vibrio, Pseudomonas, Bacillus and Streptococcus, but exhibited negative correlations with an environmentally friendly bacterial genus, Sphingomonas (which degrades various hazardous organic compounds), indicating that MPs might increase the potential ecological risks of coastal sediments. Our results may help to elucidate the relationship between MP pollution and the microbial community in coastal sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyong Zhang
- Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Hong Kong Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China
| | - Xiongjian Xia
- Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Hong Kong Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Ming Dai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China
| | - Jianwei Cen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China
| | - Lei Zhou
- Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Hong Kong Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Jiefen Xie
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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185
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Li C, Cui Q, Zhang M, Vogt RD, Lu X. A commonly available and easily assembled device for extraction of bio/non-degradable microplastics from soil by flotation in NaBr solution. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 759:143482. [PMID: 33261878 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Soil microplastic pollution has caused widespread research attention worldwide. It is necessary to efficiently separate microplastic particles from soil matrixes in order to conduct studies of microplastic. And so far, few studies have described the separation and extraction devices of biodegradable microplastic. Here we present a commonly available device for extraction of non-degradable and biodegradable microplastics from soil samples in a NaBr solution based on density flotation. The device has a combined circulation and recovery system for the salt solution, which increases its environmental-friendliness. The accuracy and precision of the device was verified through spike and recovery experiments using three types of biodegradable microplastics (PBS, PBAT, PLA) and four types of non-degradable microplastics (LDPE, PS, PP, PVC), all with different particle sizes, and all microplastics are grinded autonomously, closer to reality. In despite of differences in particle size and density, for both biodegradable and non-degradable microplastics the device exhibited good extraction precision, with recovery rates ranging from 92% to 99.6%, over a wide range of particle densities and sizes. The recovery rates slightly increased with increased polymer density and microplastic particle size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengtao Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, China.
| | - Qian Cui
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, China
| | - Min Zhang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, China
| | - Rolf D Vogt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Xueqiang Lu
- College of Environment Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
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186
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Qian J, Tang S, Wang P, Lu B, Li K, Jin W, He X. From source to sink: Review and prospects of microplastics in wetland ecosystems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 758:143633. [PMID: 33223161 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The source, distribution, migration, and fate of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems have received much attention. However, the relevant reports in wetland ecosystems, the boundary area between water and land, are still rare. Where are the sources and sinks of MPs in the wetland? The latest researches have shown that the sources of MPs in wetlands include sewage discharge, surface runoff, and plastic wastes from aquaculture. Fibers and fragments are the most common shapes, and PE, PP, PS can be detected in water or sediment matrices, and biota of wetlands. The distribution is affected by hydrodynamic conditions, sediment properties, and vegetation coverage. Factors affecting the vertical migration of MPs include their own physical and chemical properties, the combination of substances that accelerate deposition (mineral adsorption and biological flocculation), and resuspension. Minerals tend to adsorb negatively charged MPs while algae aggregates have a preference for positively charged MPs. The wetlands vegetation can trap MPs and affect their migration. In water matrices, MPs are ingested by organisms and integrated into sediments, which makes them seem undetectable in the wetland ecosystem. Photodegradation and microbial degradation can further reduce the MPs in size. Although recent research has increased, we are still searching for a methodological harmonization of the detection practices and exploring the migration rules and fate patterns of MPs. Our work is the first comprehensive review of the source, distribution, migration, and fate of MPs in wetland ecosystems. It reveals the uniqueness of wetland habitat in the research of MPs and indicates the potential of wetlands acting as sources or sinks for MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Qian
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China.
| | - Sijing Tang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China
| | - Peifang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China
| | - Bianhe Lu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China
| | - Kun Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen Jin
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China
| | - Xixian He
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China
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187
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Jacques O, Prosser RS. A probabilistic risk assessment of microplastics in soil ecosystems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 757:143987. [PMID: 33310577 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Plastics have a variety of applications due to their versatility, relative cost, and strength-to-weight ratio, and resistance to degradation. As a result, plastic waste can be found in all corners of the Earth. A class of plastic contaminants that have received increasing attention in terms of their potential impact on ecosystems is microplastics (≤5 mm). The greatest attention to date has been on their potential effect in marine ecosystems. However, a growing number of studies are examining their potential impact on soil ecosystems. The data reported in the literature on the environmentally-relevant concentrations of microplastics in soils and the concentration of microplastics that causes an adverse effect in soil biota were used to perform a probabilistic risk assessment of microplastics to soil biota. An environmental exposure distribution was constructed from the concentrations of microplastics reported in soil in the literature. Species sensitivity distributions were constructed using concentration of microplastics in soil that had no adverse effect on soil species (NOEC) or the lowest concentrations that had an adverse effect on soil species (LOEC) reported in the literature. The 95th centile of the environmental exposure distribution (8147 microplastic particles per gram of soil) was greater than 22 and 28% of the species sensitivity distribution constructed using NOECs and LOECs, respectively. The assessment concluded that environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastics reported in the literature could pose a considerable risk to soil biota. It is also important to note that due to the continued production of large quantities of plastic and the persistence of microplastics in the environment, environmentally-relevant concentrations of microplastics in soil are likely to only rise.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Jacques
- Université Nice Sophia Antipolis, Polytech Nice-Sophia, Département Génie Biologique, Nice, France
| | - R S Prosser
- University of Guelph, School of Environmental Sciences, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
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188
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Leifheit EF, Lehmann A, Rillig MC. Potential Effects of Microplastic on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:626709. [PMID: 33597964 PMCID: PMC7882630 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.626709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitously found in terrestrial ecosystems and are increasingly recognized as a factor of global change (GCF). Current research shows that MP can alter plant growth, soil inherent properties, and the composition and activity of microbial communities. However, knowledge about how microplastic affects arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is scarce. For plants it has been shown that microplastic can both increase and decrease the aboveground biomass and reduce the root diameter, which could indirectly cause a change in AMF abundance and activity. One of the main direct effects of microplastic is the reduction of the soil bulk density, which translates to an altered soil pore structure and water transport. Moreover, especially fibers can have considerable impacts on soil structure, namely the size distribution and stability of soil aggregates. Therefore, microplastic alters a number of soil parameters that determine habitat space and conditions for AMF. We expect that this will influence functions mediated by AMF, such as soil aggregation, water and nutrient transport. We discuss how the impacts of microplastic on AMF could alter how plants deal with other GCFs in the context of sustainable food production. The co-occurrence of several GCFs, e.g., elevated temperature, drought, pesticides, and microplastic could modify the impact of microplastic on AMF. Furthermore, the ubiquitous presence of microplastic also relates to earth system processes, e.g., net primary production (NPP), carbon and nitrogen cycling, which involve AMF as key soil organisms. For future research, we outline which experiments should be prioritized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva F. Leifheit
- Institut für Biologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany
- *Correspondence: Eva F. Leifheit,
| | - Anika Lehmann
- Institut für Biologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias C. Rillig
- Institut für Biologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany
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189
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Zhou Y, Wang J, Zou M, Jia Z, Zhou S, Li Y. Microplastics in soils: A review of methods, occurrence, fate, transport, ecological and environmental risks. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 748:141368. [PMID: 32798871 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The global prevalence of microplastics (MPs) poses a potential threat and unpredictable risk to the function and health of environmental systems. However, the research progress of soil MPs is restricted by the inherent technical inconformity and difficulties in analyzing particles in complex matrices. Here, we reviewed a selection of papers and then extrapolated a tentative standardized method for such analyses. The multiple sources of soil MPs in soil need to be quantified. Global monitoring data of soil MPs is far from sufficient. The interaction between MPs and different properties and environmental factors controls the migration and retention of MPs in soil. The migration behavior and key mechanisms of MPs in real-world environments remain to be determined. The presence of MPs threatens soil microbial-plant-animal ecosystem function and health, and may enter the human body through the food chain, although the extent of these hazards is currently debated. In particular, attention should be paid to the potential transport and ecotoxicological mechanisms of contaminants derived and adsorptive from MPs and of harmful microorganisms (such as pathogens) attached as biofilms. Although there exist preliminary studies on soil MPs, it is urgent to consider the diversity of MPs as a suite of contaminants and to systematically understand the sources, flux and effects of these artificial pollutants in time and space from the perspective of plastic environmental cycle. More comprehensive quantification of their environmental fate is undertaken to identify risks to global human and ecological systems. From the perspective of controlling soil MP pollution, the responsibility assignment of government manage-producer-consumer system and the strategy of remediation should be implemented. This review is helpful for providing an important roadmap and inspiration for the research methods and framework of soil MPs and facilitates the development of waste management and remediation strategies for regional soil MP contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Zhou
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Exploitation and Protection, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing 210024, China
| | - Junxiao Wang
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Exploitation and Protection, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing 210024, China
| | - Mengmeng Zou
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Exploitation and Protection, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing 210024, China
| | - Zhenyi Jia
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Exploitation and Protection, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing 210024, China
| | - Shenglu Zhou
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Exploitation and Protection, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing 210024, China.
| | - Yan Li
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Nanjing 210037, Jiangsu, China.
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190
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Iqbal S, Xu J, Allen SD, Khan S, Nadir S, Arif MS, Yasmeen T. Unraveling consequences of soil micro- and nano-plastic pollution on soil-plant system: Implications for nitrogen (N) cycling and soil microbial activity. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 260:127578. [PMID: 32683024 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Micro- and nano-plastics have widely been recognized as major global environmental problem due to its widespread use and inadequate waste management. The emergence of these plastic pollutants in agroecosystem is a legitimate ecotoxicological concerns for food web exchanges. In agriculture, micro/nano plastics are originated from a variety of different agricultural management practices, such as the use of compost, sewage sludge and mulching. A range of soil properties and plant traits are affected by their presence. With the increase of plastic debris, these pollutant materials have now begun to demonstrate serious implications for key soil ecosystem functions, such as soil microbial activity and nutrient cycling. Nitrogen (N) cycle is key predictor of ecological stability and management in terrestrial ecosystem. In this review, we evaluate ecological risks associated with micro-nano plastic for soil-plant system. We also discuss the consequence of plastic pollutants, either positive or negative, on soil microbial activities. In addition, we systematically summarize both direct and hypothesized implications for N cycling in agroecosystem. We conclude that soil N transformation had showed varied effects resulting from different types and sizes of plastic polymers present in soil. While mixed effects of microplastic pollution on plant growth and yield have been observed, biodegradable plastics have appeared to pose greater risk for plant growth compared to chemical plastic polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahid Iqbal
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China; East and Central Asia Regional Office, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), 132 Lanhei Rd, Heilongtan, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China; Centre for Mountain Futures (CMF), Kunming Institute of Botany, 132 Lanhei Rd, Heilongtan, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China.
| | - Jianchu Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China; East and Central Asia Regional Office, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), 132 Lanhei Rd, Heilongtan, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China; Centre for Mountain Futures (CMF), Kunming Institute of Botany, 132 Lanhei Rd, Heilongtan, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China.
| | - Schaefer Douglas Allen
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China; East and Central Asia Regional Office, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), 132 Lanhei Rd, Heilongtan, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China; Centre for Mountain Futures (CMF), Kunming Institute of Botany, 132 Lanhei Rd, Heilongtan, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Sehroon Khan
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China; East and Central Asia Regional Office, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), 132 Lanhei Rd, Heilongtan, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China; Centre for Mountain Futures (CMF), Kunming Institute of Botany, 132 Lanhei Rd, Heilongtan, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Sadia Nadir
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China; East and Central Asia Regional Office, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), 132 Lanhei Rd, Heilongtan, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China; Centre for Mountain Futures (CMF), Kunming Institute of Botany, 132 Lanhei Rd, Heilongtan, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Science and Technology Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Bannu, 28100, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Saleem Arif
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Government College University, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Tahira Yasmeen
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Government College University, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
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191
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Blöcker L, Watson C, Wichern F. Living in the plastic age - Different short-term microbial response to microplastics addition to arable soils with contrasting soil organic matter content and farm management legacy. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 267:115468. [PMID: 32891047 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging pollutant found in many ecosystems including soils, where they may become toxic to organisms or alter their habitat. However, little is known about the influence of MPs on soil microorganisms and processes vital to ecosystem functioning in different soils. Therefore, our objective was to investigate the short-term effects of MPs pollution on soil microorganisms in two agricultural soils with contrasting soil organic matter content and microbial biomass as caused by farm management history (organic and conventional). Soils were amended with two kinds of raw MPs particles, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) in the size range of 200-630 μm at a rate of 1% w/w and incubated for 28 days. During incubation, microbial respiration was determined. After incubation, the microbial biomass carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), gene copy numbers of archaea, bacteria and fungi were quantified and extractions performed to gauge effects on C and N mineralisation. The results of this study showed no major detrimental effects of MPs on microbial activity. However, in particular PP reduced microbial biomass in both soils, with a stronger decline in the organic soil, showing lower resistance to MPs. Nevertheless, mineralisation processes remained on the same level, showing functional resistance of the microbial community to MPs addition in both soils. The microbial community composition was not significantly altered by MPs addition, even though fungi tended to decrease in the organic soil. Overall, management legacy had a stronger effect on soil microorganisms, with higher microbial biomass and activity in the organic soil. While this study does not answer whether MPs pollution has a negative impact on soil microorganisms, it highlights the need to consider potential interactive effects of environmental factors, land use and management with MPs on soil microbial communities and their functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Blöcker
- Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Germany Marie-Curie-Str. 1, D-47533, Kleve, Germany
| | - Conor Watson
- Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Germany Marie-Curie-Str. 1, D-47533, Kleve, Germany
| | - Florian Wichern
- Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Germany Marie-Curie-Str. 1, D-47533, Kleve, Germany.
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192
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Guo T, Ji Y, Zhao J, Horn H, Li J. Coupling of Fe-C and aerobic granular sludge to treat refractory wastewater from a membrane manufacturer in a pilot-scale system. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 186:116331. [PMID: 32877808 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A novel pilot-scale system based on aerobic granular sludge (AGS) as a biological treatment step was proposed to treat refractory wastewater from a membrane manufacturer. The components of the system included a microelectrolysis Fe-C filter, a hydrolysis acidification bioreactor (HA), sequence batch reactor 1 (AGS SBR1), sequence batch reactor 2 (AGS SBR2), and a membrane bioreactor (MBR). The Fe-C filter effectively improved the biodegradability of the wastewater components and introduced some byproducts (such as Fe2+, Fe3+, and Fe minerals) that are beneficial for the cultivation and stability of the AGS. Ideal conditions for aerobic granulation were maintained in the SBR, such as alternating feast and famine conditions. A selection pressure, including a hydraulic shear force and settling time, was also created therein. The results showed that the AGS was formed successfully in both SBR1 and SBR2, the sludge volume index after 30 min (SVI30) and mean particle size reached 34.2 mL/g and 720 µm, and 36.7 mL/g and 610 µm, respectively, and a satisfactory nutrient removal capacity was achieved in the system. During the entire experimental period, the microbial community changed significantly; enrichment of microbes with the secretion of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), granule stabilization functions in the AGS, and the differentiation of microbes corresponding to the function of each unit were observed. The use of Fe-C, application of SBRs, and use of dewatered sludge as an inoculant played key roles in the cultivation and stability of the AGS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Guo
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Ji
- Hangzhou Tianchuang Environmental Technology Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jingwei Zhao
- Hangzhou Tianchuang Environmental Technology Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, China
| | - Harald Horn
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Engler-Bunte-Institut, Water Chemistry and Water Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Jun Li
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China.
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193
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Sol D, Laca A, Laca A, Díaz M. Approaching the environmental problem of microplastics: Importance of WWTP treatments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 740:140016. [PMID: 32569912 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The undeniable presence of microplastics (MPs) in soil, air and, especially, in the aquatic environment has revealed them to be an emerging pollutant. One of the main sources contributing to the release of these microplastics into the environment is wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). During the treatment of wastewater, these microparticles undergo incomplete retention, which leads to their discharge in huge amounts into water masses. The microplastics removed from the wastewater during the treatment processes usually become entrained in the sewage sludge, which is commonly employed as organic fertilizer. Alarming data regarding the occurrence of MPs in nature and the increasing public awareness of environmental concerns have led to the appearance of numerous studies on this topic in recent years. So, this work is focused on providing an overview of available processes for the removal of microplastics from water and also from sediments. Social demand for the correct and effective management of microplastics is constantly increasing and should be given careful consideration before future action is taken. Recycling is a good option, and policies might be developed in this direction, moving towards a circular and sustainable economy for plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sol
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, C/Julián Clavería s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Amanda Laca
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, C/Julián Clavería s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Adriana Laca
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, C/Julián Clavería s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Mario Díaz
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, C/Julián Clavería s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain.
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194
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Lin D, Yang G, Dou P, Qian S, Zhao L, Yang Y, Fanin N. Microplastics negatively affect soil fauna but stimulate microbial activity: insights from a field-based microplastic addition experiment. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20201268. [PMID: 32873207 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.1268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Microplastics are recognized as an emerging contaminant worldwide. Although microplastics have been shown to strongly affect organisms in aquatic environments, less is known about whether and how microplastics can affect different taxa within a soil community, and it is unclear whether these effects can cascade through soil food webs. By conducting a microplastic manipulation experiment, i.e. adding low-density polyethylene fragments in the field, we found that microplastic addition significantly affected the composition and abundance of microarthropod and nematode communities. Contrary to soil fauna, we found only small effects of microplastics on the biomass and structure of soil microbial communities. Nevertheless, structural equation modelling revealed that the effects of microplastics strongly cascade through the soil food webs, leading to the modification of microbial functioning with further potential consequences on soil carbon and nutrient cycling. Our results highlight that taking into account the effects of microplastics at different trophic levels is important to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the ecological impacts of microplastic pollution on soil functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dunmei Lin
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangrong Yang
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengpeng Dou
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, People's Republic of China
| | - Shenhua Qian
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongchuan Yang
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, People's Republic of China
| | - Nicolas Fanin
- INRAE, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, UMR 1391 Interaction Soil Plant Atmosphere (ISPA), 71 Avenue Edouard Bourlaux, 33882 Villenave-d'Ornon cedex, France
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195
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Wang F, Zhang X, Zhang S, Zhang S, Sun Y. Interactions of microplastics and cadmium on plant growth and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities in an agricultural soil. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 254:126791. [PMID: 32320834 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) as emerging contaminants have attracted attention worldwide, but little is known on their interactions with metallic contaminants in soil-plant systems. Here, we investigated the interactions between MPs, i.e., polyethylene (PE) and polylactic acid (PLA), and cadmium (Cd) on plant performance and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community in an agricultural soil. PE showed no noticeable phytotoxicity, while 10% PLA decreased maize biomass and chlorophyll content in leaves. A significant interaction on root biomass occurred between PE and Cd, but not between PLA and Cd. Both PE and PLA caused increase in soil pH and DTPA-extractable Cd concentrations, but no alterations in Cd accumulation in plant tissues. Different numbers of endemic and total OTUs were observed in various treatments. The relative abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) genera highly varied with MPs and Cd. MPs altered AMF community structure and diversity, depending on their type and dose. Coexisting Cd produced slight but significant interactions with MPs on the dominant AMF genera. Overall, plant growth and AMF community varied with MPs type and dose, Cd, and their interactions, and the high dose of PLA produced stronger phytotoxicity. In conclusion, coexisting MPs and Cd can jointly drive shifts in plant performance and root symbiosis, thereby posing additional risks for agroecosystems and soil biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fayuan Wang
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266042, PR China
| | - Xiaoqing Zhang
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266042, PR China
| | - Shuqi Zhang
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266042, PR China
| | - Shuwu Zhang
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266042, PR China; Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, PR China
| | - Yuhuan Sun
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266042, PR China.
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196
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Wang J, Huang M, Wang Q, Sun Y, Zhao Y, Huang Y. LDPE microplastics significantly alter the temporal turnover of soil microbial communities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 726:138682. [PMID: 32481223 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Although the ubiquitous presence of microplastics in various environments is increasingly well studied, knowledge of the effects of microplastics on ambient microbial communities is still insufficient. To estimate the response of soil bacterial community succession and temporal turnover to microplastic amendment, a soil microcosm experiment was carried out with polyethylene microplastics. The soil samples under control and microplastic amendment conditions were collected for sequencing analysis using Illumina MiSeq technology. Microplastic amendment was found to significantly alter soil bacterial community structure, and the community differences were increased linearly with the incubation time. Compared with the turnover rate of bacterial community in the control samples (0.0103, p < .05, based on Bray-Curtis similarity), the succession rate was significantly (p < .001) higher in the soil with microplastic amendment (0.0309, p < .001). In addition, the effects of microplastic amendment on the time-decay relationships (TDRs) on taxonomic divisions revealed considerable variations of TDRs values, indicating the effects were lineage dependent. Our results propose that the presence of microbial in soil ecosystem may lead to a faster succession rate of soil bacterial community, which provides new insights into the evolutionary consequences of microplastics in terrestrial environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Muke Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yuanze Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yanran Zhao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yi Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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197
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Abstract
Research shifts from ecotoxicology to ecosystem effects and Earth system feedbacks
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anika Lehmann
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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198
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Effects of Co-Contamination of Microplastics and Cd on Plant Growth and Cd Accumulation. TOXICS 2020; 8:toxics8020036. [PMID: 32443862 PMCID: PMC7356726 DOI: 10.3390/toxics8020036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) occur widely in terrestrial ecosystems. However, information on the interaction of MPs with metals in terrestrial ecosystems is lacking in the literature. The present study investigated the effects of two types of MPs (high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polystyrene (PS)) with different dosages (i.e., 0, 0.1%, 1%, and 10%) on the uptake and effects of Cd in maize plants grown in an agricultural soil. Results showed that addition of Cd at a 5 mg/kg caused inhibited plant growth and resulted in high Cd accumulation in plant tissues. Polyethylene alone showed no significant phytotoxic effects, but a high-dose of HDPE (10%) amplified Cd phytotoxicity. Polystyrene negatively affected maize growth and phytoxicity further increased in the presence of Cd. Both HDPE and PS caused soil diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Cd concentrations to increase but did not significantly affect Cd uptake into plant tissues. In the soil without Cd addition, HDPE decreased soil pH, while PS did not significantly alter soil pH. However, in the soil spiked with Cd, both HDPE and PS increased pH. Overall, impacts on plant growth and Cd accumulation varied with MP type and dose, and PS induced substantial phytotoxicity. In conclusion, co-occurring MPs can change Cd bioavailability, plant performance, and soil traits. Our findings highlight the ecological impacts that could occur from the release of MPs into soil.
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