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Chang N, Chen L, Wang N, Cui Q, Qiu T, Zhao S, He H, Zeng Y, Dai W, Duan C, Fang L. Unveiling the impacts of microplastic pollution on soil health: A comprehensive review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 951:175643. [PMID: 39173746 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175643] [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: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 08/11/2024] [Accepted: 08/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Soil contamination by microplastics (MPs) has emerged as a significant global concern. Although traditionally associated with crop production, contemporary understanding of soil health has expanded to include a broader range of factors, including animal safety, microbial diversity, ecological functions, and human health protection. This paradigm shifts underscores the imperative need for a comprehensive assessment of the effects of MPs on soil health. Through an investigation of various soil health indicators, this review endeavors to fill existing knowledge gaps, drawing insights from recent studies conducted between 2021 and 2024, to elucidate how MPs may disrupt soil ecosystems and compromise their crucial functions. This review provides a thorough analysis of the processes leading to MP contamination in soil environments and highlights film residues as major contributors to agricultural soils. MPs entering the soil detrimentally affect crop productivity by hindering growth and other physiological processes. Moreover, MPs hinder the survival, growth, and reproductive rates of the soil fauna, posing potential health risks. Additionally, a systematic evaluation of the impact of MPs on soil microbes and nutrient cycling highlights the diverse repercussions of MP contamination. Moreover, within soil-plant systems, MPs interact with other pollutants, resulting in combined pollution. For example, MPs contain oxygen-containing functional groups on their surfaces that form high-affinity hydrogen bonds with other pollutants, leading to prolonged persistence in the soil environment thereby increasing the risk to soil health. In conclusion, we succinctly summarize the current research challenges related to the mediating effects of MPs on soil health and suggest promising directions for future studies. Addressing these challenges and adopting interdisciplinary approaches will advance our understanding of the intricate interplay between MPs and soil ecosystems, thereby providing evidence-based strategies for mitigating their adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Chang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Li Chen
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Na Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation CAS and MWR, Yangling 712100, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qingliang Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation CAS and MWR, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Tianyi Qiu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Green Utilization of Critical Nonmetallic Mineral Resources, Ministry of Education, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Shuling Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation CAS and MWR, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Haoran He
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Yi Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation CAS and MWR, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Wei Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation CAS and MWR, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Chengjiao Duan
- College of Resources and Environment, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province 030801, PR China
| | - Linchuan Fang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Green Utilization of Critical Nonmetallic Mineral Resources, Ministry of Education, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China.
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Ko K, Chung H. Fluorescence microfluidic system for real-time monitoring of PS and PVC sub-micron microplastics under flowing conditions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 950:175016. [PMID: 39059645 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Plastics, recognized for their convenience, disposability, and recyclability, have emerged as a significant ecological challenge, particularly with the prevalence of microplastics (MPs, 1 μm - 5 mm) and sub-micron MPs (100 - 1000 nm) in natural environments. While extensive research has focused on their occurrence and environmental impacts, quantification methods developed for MPs exhibit limitations when applied to sub-micron MPs due to their smaller size. This study addresses these limitations by introducing a novel monitoring system that integrates fluorescence labeling with a microfluidic device and particle tracking software, enabling automated quantification and size measurement of both spherical and fragmented MPs of size in the sub-micrometer range. Results showed that the developed system enabled fast quantification and size measurement of 500- and 1000-nm polystyrene (PS) sub-micron MP beads and fragmented PS and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sub-micron MPs. Additionally, fluorescence labeling enabled the real-time discrimination of PS and PVC sub-micron MPs. Lastly, the microfluidic system allowed the monitoring of sub-micron MPs within a small quantity of water samples. This automated system has a high potential for swift and real-time monitoring of sub-micron MPs in the environment. By enhancing our ability to detect and quantify sub-micron MPs, this study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of their presence and distribution in environmental systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwanyoung Ko
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Haegeun Chung
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.
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3
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Liu X, Yu Y, Yu H, Sarkar B, Zhang Y, Yang Y, Qin S. Nonbiodegradable microplastic types determine the diversity and structure of soil microbial communities: A meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 260:119663. [PMID: 39043354 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119663] [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: 05/24/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
As an emerging contaminant, microplastics (MPs) have received considerable attention for their potential threat to the soil environment. However, the response of soil bacterial and fungal communities to MPs exposure remains unclear. In this study, we conducted a global meta-analysis of 95 publications and 2317 observations to assess the effects of nonbiodegradable MP properties and exposure conditions on soil microbial biomass, alpha and beta diversity, and community structure. Our results indicate that MPs increased (p < 0.05) soil active microbial biomass by 42%, with the effect varying with MPs type, exposure concentration, exposure time and soil pH. MPs concentration was identified as the most important factor controlling the response of soil microbial biomass to MPs. MPs addition decreased (p < 0.05) the soil bacterial Shannon and Chao1 indices by 2% and 3%, respectively, but had limited effects (p > 0.05) on soil fungal Shannon and Chao1 indices. The type of MPs and exposure time determined the effects of MPs on bacterial Shannon and Chao1 indices, while the type of MPs and soil pH controlled the response ratios of fungal Shannon and Chao1 indices to MPs. Specifically, soil organic carbon (SOC) was the major factor regulating the response ratio of bacterial alpha diversity index to MPs. The presence of MPs did not affect soil bacterial community structure and beta diversity. Our results highlight that MPs reduced bacterial diversity and richness but increased the soil active microbial biomass, suggesting that MPs could disrupt biogeochemical cycles by promoting the growth of specific microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhui Liu
- Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, 286 Huaizhong Road, Shijiazhuang, 050021, Hebei, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yongxiang Yu
- Research Center for Environmental Ecology and Engineering, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan, 430205, China.
| | - Haiyang Yu
- College of Resources and Environment, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Binoy Sarkar
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
| | - Yanyan Zhang
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Yuyi Yang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Wetland Evolution & Ecological Restoration, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Shuping Qin
- Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, 286 Huaizhong Road, Shijiazhuang, 050021, Hebei, China.
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Dai R, Jin C, Xiao M. The influence of urban environmental effects on the orchard soil microbial community structure and function: a case study in Zhejiang, China. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1403443. [PMID: 39314879 PMCID: PMC11417026 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1403443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The urban environmental effects can have multifaceted impacts on the orchard soil microbial community structure and function. To specifically study these effects, we investigated the soil bacterial and fungal community in the laxly managed citrus orchards using amplicon sequencing. Ascomycota demonstrated significant dominance within the citrus orchard soils. The increased presence of beneficial Trichoderma spp. (0.3%) could help suppress plant pathogens, while the elevated abundance of potential pathogenic fungi, such as Fusarium spp. (0.4%), might raise the likelihood of disorders like root rot, thereby hindering plant growth and resulting in reduced yield. Moreover, we observed significant differences in the alpha and beta diversity of bacterial communities between urban and rural soils (p < 0.001). Environmental surveys and functional prediction of bacterial communities suggested that urban transportation factors and rural waste pollution were likely contributing to these disparities. When comparing bacterial species in urban and rural soils, Bacillus spp. exhibited notable increases in urban areas. Bacillus spp. possess heavy metal tolerance attributed to the presence of chromium reductase and nitroreductase enzymes involved in the chromium (VI) reduction pathway. Our findings have shed light on the intricate interplay of urban environmental effects and root systems, both of which exert influence on the soil microbiota. Apart from the removal of specific pollutants, the application of Bacillus spp. to alleviate traffic pollution, and the use of Trichoderma spp. for plant pathogen suppression were considered viable solutions. The knowledge acquired from this study can be employed to optimize agricultural practices, augment citrus productivity, and foster sustainable agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongchen Dai
- Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Cuixiang Jin
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Xiao
- Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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5
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Cruz LG, Shen FT, Chen CP, Chen WC. Dose Effect of Polyethylene Microplastics Derived from Commercial Resins on Soil Properties, Bacterial Communities, and Enzymatic Activity. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1790. [PMID: 39338465 PMCID: PMC11434124 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12091790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Soils are the largest reservoir of microplastics (MPs) on earth. Since MPs can remain in soils for a very long time, their effects are magnified. In this study, different concentrations of polyethylene (PE) MPs derived from commercial resins (0%, 1%, 7%, and 14%, represented as MP_0, MP_1, MP_7, and MP_14) were added to soils to assess the changes in the soils' chemical properties, enzyme activities, and bacterial communities during a 70-day incubation period. The results show that PE MP treatments with low concentrations differed from other treatments in terms of exchangeable Ca and Mg, whereas at high concentrations, the pH and availability of phosphate ions differed. Fluorescein diacetate (FDA), acid phosphatase (ACP), and N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAG) enzyme activities exhibited a dose-related trend with the addition of the PE MPs; however, the average FDA and ACP activities were significantly affected only by MP_14. Changes in the microbial communities were observed at both the phylum and family levels with all PE MP treatments. It was revealed that even a low dosage of PE MPs in soils can affect the functional microbes, and a greater impact is observed on those that can survive in polluted environments with limited resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesbia Gicel Cruz
- International Master Program in Agriculture, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan;
| | - Fo-Ting Shen
- Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan;
- Innovation and Development Center of Sustainable Agriculture (IDCSA), National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Chiou-Pin Chen
- The Experimental Forest, College of Bio-Resources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Nantou County 557004, Taiwan;
| | - Wen-Ching Chen
- International Bachelor Program in Agribusiness, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
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Gao B, Gao F, Zhang X, Li Y, Yao H. Effects of different sizes of microplastic particles on soil respiration, enzyme activities, microbial communities, and seed germination. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 933:173100. [PMID: 38735330 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173100] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants of terrestrial ecosystems. The impacts of MP particle size on terrestrial systems remain unclear. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of six particle sizes (i.e., 4500, 1500, 500, 50, 5, and 0.5 μm) of polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) on soil respiration, enzyme activity, bacteria, fungi, protists, and seed germination. MPs significantly promoted soil respiration, and the stimulating effects of PE were the strongest for medium and small-sized (0.5-1500 μm) particles, while those of PVC were the strongest for small particle sizes (0.5-50 μm). Large-sized (4500 μm) PE and all sizes of PVC significantly improved soil urease activity, while medium-sized (1500 μm) PVC significantly improved soil invertase activity. MPs altered the soil microbial community diversity, and the effects were especially pronounced for medium and small-sized (0.5-1500 μm) particles of PE and PVC on bacteria and fungi and small-sized (0.5 μm) particles of PE on protists. The impacts of MPs on bacteria and fungi were greater than on protists. The seed germination rate of Brassica chinensis decreased gradually with the decrease in PE MPs particle size. Therefore, to reduce the impact of MPs on soil ecosystems, effective measures should be taken to avoid the transformation of MPs into smaller particles in soil environmental management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Gao
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, People's Republic of China; College of Tourism & Landscape Architecture, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, People's Republic of China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuyun Gao
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, People's Republic of China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingfeng Zhang
- College of Tourism & Landscape Architecture, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaying Li
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, People's Republic of China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, People's Republic of 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, People's Republic of China.
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7
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Song X, Li C, Qiu Z, Wang C, Zeng Q. Ecotoxicological effects of polyethylene microplastics and lead (Pb) on the biomass, activity, and community diversity of soil microbes. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 252:119012. [PMID: 38704010 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119012] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics and heavy metals are ubiquitous and persistent contaminants that are widely distributed worldwide, yet little is known about the effects of their interaction on soil ecosystems. A soil incubation experiment was conducted to investigate the individual and combined effects of polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) and lead (Pb) on soil enzymatic activities, microbial biomass, respiration rate, and community diversity. The results indicate that the presence of PE-MPs notably reduced soil pH and elevated soil Pb bioavailability, potentially exacerbated the combined toxicity on the biogeochemical cycles of soil nutrients, microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, and the activities of soil urease, sucrase, and alkaline phosphatase. Soil CO2 emissions increased by 7.9% with PE-MPs alone, decreased by 46.3% with single Pb, and reduced by 69.4% with PE-MPs and Pb co-exposure, compared to uncontaminated soils. Specifically, the presence of PE-MPs and Pb, individually and in combination, facilitated the soil metabolic quotient, leading to reduced microbial metabolic efficiency. Moreover, the addition of Pb and PE-MPs modified the composition of the microbial community, leading to the enrichment of specific taxa. Tax4Fun analysis showed the effects of Pb, PE-MPs and their combination on the biogeochemical processes and ecological functions of microbes were mainly by altering amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, membrane transport, and signal transduction. These findings offer valuable insights into the ecotoxicological effects of combined PE-MPs and Pb on soil microbial dynamics, reveals key assembly mechanisms and environmental drivers, and highlights the potential threat of MPs and heavy metals to the multifunctionality of soil ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiliang Song
- College of Life Sciences, Dezhou University, De'zhou, 253023, China
| | - Changjiang Li
- School of Environment Science & Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining & Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China
| | - Zhennan Qiu
- College of Life Sciences, Dezhou University, De'zhou, 253023, China
| | - Chenghui Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Dezhou University, De'zhou, 253023, China
| | - Qiangcheng Zeng
- College of Life Sciences, Dezhou University, De'zhou, 253023, China.
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Zhao S, Rillig MC, Bing H, Cui Q, Qiu T, Cui Y, Penuelas J, Liu B, Bian S, Monikh FA, Chen J, Fang L. Microplastic pollution promotes soil respiration: A global-scale meta-analysis. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17415. [PMID: 39005227 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution likely affects global soil carbon (C) dynamics, yet it remains uncertain how and to what extent MP influences soil respiration. Here, we report on a global meta-analysis to determine the effects of MP pollution on the soil microbiome and CO2 emission. We found that MP pollution significantly increased the contents of soil organic C (SOC) (21%) and dissolved organic C (DOC) (12%), the activity of fluorescein diacetate hydrolase (FDAse) (10%), and microbial biomass (17%), but led to a decrease in microbial diversity (3%). In particular, increases in soil C components and microbial biomass further promote CO2 emission (25%) from soil, but with a much higher effect of MPs on these emissions than on soil C components and microbial biomass. The effect could be attributed to the opposite effects of MPs on microbial biomass vs. diversity, as soil MP accumulation recruited some functionally important bacteria and provided additional C substrates for specific heterotrophic microorganisms, while inhibiting the growth of autotrophic taxa (e.g., Chloroflexi, Cyanobacteria). This study reveals that MP pollution can increase soil CO2 emission by causing shifts in the soil microbiome. These results underscore the potential importance of plastic pollution for terrestrial C fluxes, and thus climate feedbacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuling Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, The Research Center of Soil and Water Conservation and Ecological Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Education, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Haijian Bing
- Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Qingliang Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, The Research Center of Soil and Water Conservation and Ecological Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Education, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyi Qiu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Yongxing Cui
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Josep Penuelas
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit CREAF- CSIC- UAB, Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Caalonia, Spain
| | - Baiyan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, The Research Center of Soil and Water Conservation and Ecological Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Education, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shiqi Bian
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Fazel Abdolahpur Monikh
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies, and Innovation, Technical University of Liberec Bendlova 1409/7, Liberec, Czech Republic
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Linchuan Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, The Research Center of Soil and Water Conservation and Ecological Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Education, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Green Utilization of Critical Non-metallic Mineral Resources, Ministry of Education, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China
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9
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Liu J, Yu Z, Song N, Zong H, Wang F, Guo R, Li S. Plant Cadmium Toxicity and Biomarkers Are Differentially Modulated by Degradable and Nondegradable Microplastics in Soil. TOXICS 2024; 12:473. [PMID: 39058125 PMCID: PMC11280994 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12070473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
The impact of microplastics (MPs) as emerging pollutants on plant heavy metal toxicity has been extensively reported in vegetable-soil systems over recent years. However, little attention has been given to cultivar variations between degradable and non-degradable MPs. This study investigated the effects of degradable polylactic acid (PLA) and nondegradable polypropylene (PP) MPs on plant growth and biomarker (malonaldehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes) performance in Cd-contaminated arable soil. The results show that both types of MPs significantly impacted plant biomass and biomarker contents across all three Cd levels. The degree of impact was significantly sensitive to both the type and dose of MPs, as they reduced the soil pH and cation exchange capacity (CEC) while increasing soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC), microbial biomass carbon, and nitrogen. PP exhibited greater root growth inhibition and phytotoxicity at higher doses of 1% and 5% compared to PLA. Specifically, the highest MDA contents were 1.44 and 2.20 mmol mg-1 protein for shoots and roots, respectively, in the 5% PLA treatment under a 10.1 mg kg-1 Cd level, which were 1.22 and 1.18 times higher than those in corresponding treatments of 5% PP. Overall, PLA had less significant effects on plant phytotoxicity, Cd availability, and soil properties compared to PP. Regression pathway analysis indicated that MPs increased shoot Cd uptake by altering both soil physical-chemical and microbial characteristics. Among the soil variables, pH, CEC, and Cd bioavailability were found to play vital roles. Yet, no single variable acts alone in the mechanism for plant Cd uptake. PLAs are suggested to replace conventional non-biodegradable plastics to control environmental MP pollution, particularly in agricultural systems with higher Cd contamination. However, the long-term effects of the by-products generated during the biodegradation process require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Liu
- School of Resources and Environment, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (J.L.); (Z.Y.); (N.S.); (H.Z.); (F.W.)
| | - Zihan Yu
- School of Resources and Environment, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (J.L.); (Z.Y.); (N.S.); (H.Z.); (F.W.)
| | - Ningning Song
- School of Resources and Environment, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (J.L.); (Z.Y.); (N.S.); (H.Z.); (F.W.)
| | - Haiying Zong
- School of Resources and Environment, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (J.L.); (Z.Y.); (N.S.); (H.Z.); (F.W.)
| | - Fangli Wang
- School of Resources and Environment, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; (J.L.); (Z.Y.); (N.S.); (H.Z.); (F.W.)
| | - Rui Guo
- Technical Centre for Soil, Agriculture and Rural Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Shaojing Li
- College of Science and Information, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
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10
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Xu L, Xie W, Dai H, Wei S, Skuza L, Li J, Shi C, Zhang L. Effects of combined microplastics and heavy metals pollution on terrestrial plants and rhizosphere environment: A review. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 358:142107. [PMID: 38657695 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142107] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) can enter the soil environment through industry, agricultural production and daily life sources. Their interaction with heavy metals (HMs) poses a significant threat to a variety of terrestrial ecosystems, including agricultural ones, thereby affecting crop quality and threatening human health. This review initially addresses the impact of single and combined contamination with MPs and HMs on soil environment, including changes in soil physicochemical properties, microbial community structure and diversity, fertility, enzyme activity and resistance genes, as well as alterations in heavy metal speciation. The article further explores the effects of this pollution on the growth characteristics of terrestrial plants, such as plant biomass, antioxidant systems, metabolites and photosynthesis. In general, the combined contaminants tend to significantly affect soil environment and terrestrial plant growth, i.e., the impact of combined contaminants on plants weight ranged from -87.5% to 4.55%. Similarities and differences in contamination impact levels stem from the variations in contaminant types, sizes and doses of contaminants and the specific plant growth environments. In addition, MPs can not only infiltrate plants directly, but also significantly affect the accumulation of HMs in terrestrial plants. The heavy metals concentration in plants under the treatment of MPs were 70.26%-36.80%. The co-occurrence of these two pollution types can pose a serious threat to crop productivity and safety. Finally, this study proposes suggestions for future research aiming to address current gaps in knowledge, raises awareness about the impact of combined MPs + HMs pollution on plant growth and eco-environmental security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Xu
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266520, China
| | - Wenjun Xie
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266520, China.
| | - Huiping Dai
- College of Biological Science & Engineering, Shaanxi Province Key Laboratory of Bio-resources, Qinling-Bashan Mountains Bioresources Comprehensive Development C.I.C, State Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Ecological Environment Jointly Built By Qinba Province and Ministry, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, 723001, China
| | - Shuhe Wei
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Ecology and Environment Engineering, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China.
| | - Lidia Skuza
- Institute of Biology, Centre for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, 71-415, Poland
| | - Jianan Li
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266520, China
| | - Cailing Shi
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266520, China
| | - Lichang Zhang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266520, China
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11
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Lin X, Lin S, Peng L, Chen M, Cheng X, Xie S, Bao R, Su Y, Mehmood T. Effects of polypropylene microplastics on carbon dioxide dynamics in intertidal mangrove sediments. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 346:123682. [PMID: 38428788 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123682] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) in soil can influence CO2 dynamics by altering organic carbon (OC) and microbial composition. Nevertheless, the fluctuation of CO2 response attributed to MPs in mangrove sediments is unclear. This study explores the impact of micro-sized polypropylene (mPP) particles on the carbon dynamics of intertidal mangrove sediments. In the high-tide level sediment, after 28 days, the cumulative CO2 levels for varying mPP dosages were as follows: 496.86 ± 2.07, 430.38 ± 3.84 and 447.09 ± 1.72 mg kg-1 for 0.1%, 1% and 10% (w/w) mPP, respectively. The CO2 emissions were found to be increased with a 0.1% (w/w) mPP level and decreased with 1% and 10% (w/w) mPP at high-tide level sediment, suggesting a tide level-specific dose dependence of the CO2 emission pattern in mangrove sediments. Overall, results indicated that the presence of mPP in mangrove sediments would potentially affect intertidal total CO2 storage under given experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xubing Lin
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China; School of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan Province, 570228, China
| | - Shuying Lin
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China; School of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan Province, 570228, China
| | - Licheng Peng
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China; School of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan Province, 570228, China.
| | - Miao Chen
- Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Eco-Circular Agriculture, Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, 571101, China
| | - Xing Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China; School of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan Province, 570228, China
| | - Shiyu Xie
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China; School of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan Province, 570228, China
| | - Ruiqi Bao
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China; School of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan Province, 570228, China
| | - Yuanyuan Su
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China; School of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan Province, 570228, China
| | - Tariq Mehmood
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China; School of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan Province, 570228, China
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12
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Lian Y, Shi R, Liu J, Zeb A, Wang Q, Wang J, Yu M, Li J, Zheng Z, Ali N, Bao Y, Liu W. Effects of polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene microplastics on the soil-rhizosphere-plant system: Phytotoxicity, enzyme activity, and microbial community. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133417. [PMID: 38183945 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133417] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
The widespread presence of soil microplastics (MPs) has become a global environmental problem. MPs of different properties (i.e., types, sizes, and concentrations) are present in the environment, while studies about the impact of MPs having different properties are limited. Thus, this study investigated the effects of three common polymers (polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene) with two concentrations (0.01% and 0.1% w/w) on growth and stress response of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), soil enzymes, and rhizosphere microbial community. Lettuce growth was inhibited under MPs treatments. Moreover, the antioxidant system, metabolism composition, and phyllosphere microbiome of lettuce leaves was also perturbed. MPs reduced phytase activity and significantly increased dehydrogenase activity. The diversity and structure of rhizosphere microbial community were disturbed by MPs and more sensitive to polystyrene microplastics (PSMPs) and polypropylene microplastics (PPMPs). In general, the results by partial least squares pathway models (PLS-PMs) showed that the presence of MPs influenced the soil-rhizosphere-plant system, which may have essential implications for assessing the environmental risk of MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhang Lian
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Ruiying Shi
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jinzheng Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Aurang Zeb
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Qi Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jianling Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Miao Yu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jiantao Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Zeqi Zheng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Nouman Ali
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yanyu Bao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Weitao Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China.
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13
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Zhuang QL, Yuan HY, Qi JQ, Sun ZR, Tao BX, Zhang BH. Phosphorus fertiliser application mitigates the negative effects of microplastic on soil microbes and rice growth. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133278. [PMID: 38118199 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133278] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Soil microplastics (MPs) have attracted widespread attention recently. Most studies have explored how soil MPs affect the soil's physicochemical parameters, matter circulation, and soil microbial community assembly. Similarly, a key concern in agricultural development has been the use of phosphorus (P) fertiliser, which is essential for plant health and development. However, the relationship between MPs and phosphate fertilisers and their effects on the soil environment and plant growth remains elusive. This study assessed the influence of adding low-density polyethylene MPs (1%) with different phosphate fertiliser application rates on microbial communities and rice biomass. Our results showed that MPs changed the structure of soil bacterial and phoD-harbouring microbial communities in the treatment with P fertiliser at the same level and suppressed the interactions of phoD-harbouring microorganisms. In addition, we found that MPs contamination inhibited rice growth; however, the inclusion of P fertiliser in MP-contaminated soils reduced the inhibitory action of MPs on rice growth, probably because the presence with P fertiliser promoted the uptake of NO3--N by rice in MP-contaminated soils. Our results provide further insights into guiding agricultural production, improving agricultural management, and rationally applying phosphate fertilisers in the context of widespread MPs pollution and global P resource constraints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Lu Zhuang
- School of Geography and Environment, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
| | - Hai-Yan Yuan
- School of Geography and Environment, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China.
| | - Jian-Qing Qi
- School of Geography and Environment, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
| | - Zhao-Ran Sun
- School of Geography and Environment, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
| | - Bao-Xian Tao
- School of Geography and Environment, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
| | - Bao-Hua Zhang
- School of Geography and Environment, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
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14
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Feng T, Wei Z, Agathokleous E, Zhang B. Effect of microplastics on soil greenhouse gas emissions in agroecosystems: Does it depend upon microplastic shape and soil type? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169278. [PMID: 38092197 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169278] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics have emerged as a significant pollutant in terrestrial ecosystems, with their accumulation in agricultural fields influencing soil greenhouse gas emissions. Nevertheless, the specific impact of microplastics, particularly in relation to their varying shapes, and how this effect manifests across diverse soil types, remains largely unexplored. In this study, a 56-day incubation experiment was conducted to assess the influence of microplastic shapes (fibers, films, and spheres) on CO2 and N2O emissions in three types of soils (Chernozems, Luvisols, and Ferralsols), while also investigating potential associations with the compositional and functional characteristics of soil bacterial communities. When compared to the control group, the introduction of microplastic fibers resulted in an increase of 21.7 % in cumulative CO2 emissions and a 31.4 % rise in cumulative N2O emissions in Ferralsols. This increase was closely linked to the proliferation of the Actinobacteria and Bacilli classes and the orders of Catenulisporales, Bacillales, Streptomycetales, Micrococcales, and Burkholderiales within the bacterial communities of Ferralsols, alongside an observed elevation in N-acetyl-glucosaminidase enzyme activity. The inclusion of microplastic fibers did not result in significant alterations in greenhouse gas emissions within Chernozems and Luvisols. This is likely attributed to the inherent buffering capacity of these soils, which helps stabilize substrate and nutrient availability for microbial communities. These findings highlight that the response of greenhouse gas emissions to microplastic additions is contingent upon the shape of the microplastics and the specific soil types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianshu Feng
- Changwang School of Honors, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Zhanbo Wei
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Evgenios Agathokleous
- School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China.
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15
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Shi W, Wu N, Zhang Z, Liu Y, Chen J, Li J. A global review on the abundance and threats of microplastics in soils to terrestrial ecosystem and human health. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169469. [PMID: 38154650 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169469] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Soil is the source and sink of microplastics (MPs), which is more polluted than water and air. In this paper, the pollution levels of MPs in the agriculture, roadside, urban and landfill soils were reviewed, and the influence of MPs on soil ecosystem, including soil properties, microorganisms, animals and plants, was discussed. According to the results of in vivo and in vitro experiments, the possible risks of MPs to soil ecosystem and human health were predicted. Finally, in light of the current status of MPs research, several prospects are provided for future research directions to better evaluate the ecological risk and human health risk of MPs. MPs concentrations in global agricultural soils, roadside soils, urban soils and landfill soils had a great variance in different studies and locations. The participation of MPs has an impact on all aspects of terrestrial ecosystems. For soil properties, pH value, bulk density, pore space and evapotranspiration can be changed by MPs. For microorganisms, MPs can alter the diversity and abundance of microbiome, and different MPs have different effects on bacteria and fungi differently. For plants, MPs may interfere with their biochemical and physiological conditions and produce a wide range of toxic effects, such as inhibiting plant growth, delaying or reducing seed germination, reducing biological and fruit yield, and interfering with photosynthesis. For soil animals, MPs can affect their mobility, growth rate and reproductive capacity. At present epidemiological evidences regarding MPs exposure and negative human health effects are unavailable, but in vitro and in vivo data suggest that they pose various threats to human health, including respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, endocrine system, nervous system, and circulation system. In conclusion, the existence and danger of MPs cannot be ignored and requires a global effort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenshan Shi
- School of Public Health, MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Nan Wu
- School of Geography, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Zengli Zhang
- School of Public Health, MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
| | - Yuting Liu
- School of Public Health, MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Jingsi Chen
- School of Public Health, MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Jiafu Li
- School of Public Health, MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
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16
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Athulya PA, Waychal Y, Rodriguez-Seijo A, Devalla S, Doss CGP, Chandrasekaran N. Microplastic interactions in the agroecosystems: methodological advances and limitations in quantifying microplastics from agricultural soil. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2024; 46:85. [PMID: 38367078 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01800-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
The instantaneous growth of the world population is intensifying the pressure on the agricultural sector. On the other hand, the critical climate changes and increasing load of pollutants in the soil are imposing formidable challenges on agroecosystems, affecting productivity and quality of the crops. Microplastics are among the most prevalent pollutants that have already invaded all terrestrial and aquatic zones. The increasing microplastic concentration in soil critically impacts crop plants growth and yield. The current review elaborates on the behaviors of microplastics in soil and their impact on soil quality and plant growth. The study shows that microplastics alter the soil's biophysical properties, including water-holding capacity, bulk density, aeration, texture, and microbial composition. In addition, microplastics interact with multiple pollutants, such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals, making them more bioavailable to crop plants. The study also provides a detailed insight into the current techniques available for the isolation and identification of soil microplastics, providing solutions to some of the critical challenges faced and highlighting the research gaps. In our study, we have taken a holistic, comprehensive approach by analysing and comparing various interconnected aspects to provide a deeper understanding of all research perspectives on microplastics in agroecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yojana Waychal
- Centre for Nanobiotechnology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Andres Rodriguez-Seijo
- Departamento de Bioloxía Vexetal e Ciencias do Solo, Área de Edafoloxía e Química Agrícola, Facultade de Ciencias de Ourense, Universidade de Vigo, As Lagoas S/N, 32004, Ourense, Spain
- Instituto de Agroecoloxía e Alimentación (IAA), Universidade de Vigo-Campus Auga, 32004, Ourense, Spain
| | - Sandhya Devalla
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, Scotland, UK
| | - C George Priya Doss
- Department of Integrative Biology, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Natarajan Chandrasekaran
- Centre for Nanobiotechnology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India.
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Withana PA, Li J, Senadheera SS, Fan C, Wang Y, Ok YS. Machine learning prediction and interpretation of the impact of microplastics on soil properties. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 341:122833. [PMID: 37931672 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
The annual microplastic (MP) release into soils is 4-23 times higher than that into oceans, significantly impacting soil quality. However, the mechanisms underlying how MPs impact soil properties remain largely unknown. Soil-MP interactions are complex because of soil heterogeneity and varying MP properties. This lack of understanding was exacerbated by the diverse experimental conditions and soil types used in this study. Predicting changes in soil properties in the presence of MPs is challenging, laborious, and time-consuming. To address these issues, machine learning was applied to fit datasets from peer-reviewed publications to predict and interpret how MPs influence soil properties, including pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total P, NO3--N, NH4+-N, and acid phosphatase enzyme activity (acid P). Among the developed models, the gradient boost regression (GBR) model showed the highest R2 (0.86-0.99) compared to the decision tree and random forest models. The GBR model interpretation showed that MP properties contributed more than 50% to altering the acid P and NO3--N concentrations in soils, whereas they had a negligible impact on total P and 10-20% impact on soil pH, DOC, and NH4+-N. Specifically, the size of MPs was the dominant factor influencing acid P (89.3%), pH (71.6%), and DOC (44.5%) in soils. NO3--N was mainly affected by the MP type (52.0%). The NH4+-N was mainly affected by the MP dose (46.8%). The quantitative insights into the impact of MPs on soil properties of this study could aid in understanding the roles of MPs in soil systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piumi Amasha Withana
- Korea Biochar Research Center, Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Sustainable Waste Management Program & Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea; International ESG Association (IESGA), Seoul, 06621, Republic of Korea
| | - Jie Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Sachini Supunsala Senadheera
- Korea Biochar Research Center, Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Sustainable Waste Management Program & Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea; International ESG Association (IESGA), Seoul, 06621, Republic of Korea
| | - Chuanfang Fan
- Korea Biochar Research Center, Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Sustainable Waste Management Program & Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Yin Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Yong Sik Ok
- Korea Biochar Research Center, Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Sustainable Waste Management Program & Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea; International ESG Association (IESGA), Seoul, 06621, Republic of Korea; Institute of Green Manufacturing Technology, College of Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.
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18
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Owusu SM, Adomako MO, Qiao H. Organic amendment in climate change mitigation: Challenges in an era of micro- and nanoplastics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:168035. [PMID: 37907110 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
As a global strategy for mitigating climate change, organic amendments play critical roles in restoring stocks in carbon (C) depleted soils, preserving existing stocks to prevent further soil organic carbon (SOC) loss, and enhancing C sequestration. However, recent emerging evidence of a significant proportion of micro- and nanoplastics (M/NPs) occurrence in most organic substrates (e.g., compost manure, farmyard manure, and sewage sludge) compromises its role in climate change mitigation. Given the predicted surge of soil M/NPs proliferation in the coming years, we argued whether organic amendment remains a reliable climate change mitigation strategy. Toxicity effects of M/NPs influx within the soil matrix disrupt plants and their associated key microbial taxa responsible for crucial biogeochemical processes and restructuring of SOC, leading to increasing emissions of potent greenhouse gases (GHGs, e.g., CO2, CH4, and N2O) that feedback to aggravate the rapidly changing climate. Here, we summarize evidence based on literature that the discovery of M/NPs in organic substrates compromises its role in the climate change mitigation strategy. We briefly discuss the overview of synthetic fertilizers and their impact on SOC and atmospheric emissions. We discuss the role of organic amends in climate change mitigation and the emergence of M/NPs in it. We discuss M/NPs-induced damages to SOC and subsequent emissions of GHGs. We briefly highlight management approaches to clean organic substrates of M/NPs to improve their use in agrosystems and provide recommendations for future research studies. We found that organic amendment plays pivotal role in modulating the biotic and abiotic drivers responsible for climate mitigation. However, M/NPs in organic amendments weaken the regulatory mechanisms of organic amendments in plant-soil systems. We conclude that organic amendments of soils are critical for restoring SOC and mitigating the rapidly changing climate; yet, the discovery of M/NPs in organic substrates put their usage in a dilemma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Mensah Owusu
- Schoo of Business, Jinggangshan University, Qingyuan District, Ji'an City 343009, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Michael Opoku Adomako
- Institute of Wetland Ecology & Clone Ecology/Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hu Qiao
- Schoo of Business, Jinggangshan University, Qingyuan District, Ji'an City 343009, Jiangxi, China
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Zeb A, Liu W, Ali N, Shi R, Wang Q, Wang J, Li J, Yin C, Liu J, Yu M, Liu J. Microplastic pollution in terrestrial ecosystems: Global implications and sustainable solutions. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 461:132636. [PMID: 37778309 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MPs) pollution has become a global environmental concern with significant impacts on ecosystems and human health. Although MPs have been widely detected in aquatic environments, their presence in terrestrial ecosystems remains largely unexplored. This review examines the multifaceted issues of MPs pollution in terrestrial ecosystem, covering various aspects from additives in plastics to global legislation and sustainable solutions. The study explores the widespread distribution of MPs worldwide and their potential antagonistic interactions with co-occurring contaminants, emphasizing the need for a holistic understanding of their environmental implications. The influence of MPs on soil and plants is discussed, shedding light on the potential consequences for terrestrial ecosystems and agricultural productivity. The aging mechanisms of MPs, including photo and thermal aging, are elucidated, along with the factors influencing their aging process. Furthermore, the review provides an overview of global legislation addressing plastic waste, including bans on specific plastic items and levies on single-use plastics. Sustainable solutions for MPs pollution are proposed, encompassing upstream approaches such as bioplastics, improved waste management practices, and wastewater treatment technologies, as well as downstream methods like physical and biological removal of MPs. The importance of international collaboration, comprehensive legislation, and global agreements is underscored as crucial in tackling this pervasive environmental challenge. This review may serve as a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders, providing a comprehensive assessment of the environmental impact and potential risks associated with MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurang Zeb
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Weitao Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Nouman Ali
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Ruiying Shi
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Qi Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jianling Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jiantao Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Chuan Yin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jinzheng Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Miao Yu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jianv Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China; Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, Tianjin 300350, China
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Beriot N, Zornoza R, Lwanga EH, Zomer P, van Schothorst B, Ozbolat O, Lloret E, Ortega R, Miralles I, Harkes P, van Steenbrugge J, Geissen V. Intensive vegetable production under plastic mulch: A field study on soil plastic and pesticide residues and their effects on the soil microbiome. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:165179. [PMID: 37385505 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Intensive agriculture relies on external inputs to reach high productivity and profitability. Plastic mulch, mainly in the form of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), is widely used in agriculture to decrease evaporation, increase soil temperature and prevent weeds. The incomplete removal of LDPE mulch after use causes plastic contamination in agricultural soils. In conventional agriculture, the use of pesticides also leaves residues accumulating in soils. Thus, the objective of this study was to measure plastic and pesticide residues in agricultural soils and their effects on the soil microbiome. For this, we sampled soil (0-10 cm and 10-30 cm) from 18 parcels from 6 vegetable farms in SE Spain. The farms were under either organic or conventional management, where plastic mulch had been used for >25 years. We measured the macro- and micro-light density plastic debris contents, the pesticide residue levels, and a range of physiochemical properties. We also carried out DNA sequencing on the soil fungal and bacterial communities. Plastic debris (>100 μm) was found in all samples with an average number of 2 × 103 particles kg-1 and area of 60 cm2 kg-1. We found 4-10 different pesticide residues in all conventional soils, for an average of 140 μg kg-1. Overall, pesticide content was ∼100 times lower in organic farms. The soil microbiomes were farm-specific and related to different soil physicochemical parameters and contaminants. Regarding contaminants, bacterial communities responded to the total pesticide residues, the fungicide Azoxystrobin and the insecticide Chlorantraniliprole as well as the plastic area. The fungicide Boscalid was the only contaminant to influence the fungal community. The wide spread of plastic and pesticide residues in agricultural soil and their effects on soil microbial communities may impact crop production and other environmental services. More studies are required to evaluate the total costs of intensive agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Beriot
- Soil Physics and Land Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, 6708 PB Wageningen, the Netherlands; Sustainable Use, Management and Reclamation of Soil and Water Research Group, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII, 48, 30203 Cartagena, Spain
| | - Raúl Zornoza
- Sustainable Use, Management and Reclamation of Soil and Water Research Group, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII, 48, 30203 Cartagena, Spain
| | - Esperanza Huerta Lwanga
- Soil Physics and Land Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, 6708 PB Wageningen, the Netherlands; Agroecologia, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Campeche, Mexico
| | - Paul Zomer
- Wageningen Food Safety Research, PO. Box 230, 6700 AE Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Benjamin van Schothorst
- Soil Physics and Land Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, 6708 PB Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Onurcan Ozbolat
- Sustainable Use, Management and Reclamation of Soil and Water Research Group, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII, 48, 30203 Cartagena, Spain
| | - Eva Lloret
- Sustainable Use, Management and Reclamation of Soil and Water Research Group, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII, 48, 30203 Cartagena, Spain
| | - Raúl Ortega
- Department of Agronomy & Center for Intensive Mediterranean Agrosystems and Agri-food Biotechnology (CIAIMBITAL), University of Almeria, E-04120 Almería, Spain
| | - Isabel Miralles
- Department of Agronomy & Center for Intensive Mediterranean Agrosystems and Agri-food Biotechnology (CIAIMBITAL), University of Almeria, E-04120 Almería, Spain
| | - Paula Harkes
- Soil Physics and Land Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, 6708 PB Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Joris van Steenbrugge
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Violette Geissen
- Soil Physics and Land Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, 6708 PB Wageningen, the Netherlands
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21
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Fan Z, Jiang C, Muhammad T, Ali I, Feng Y, Sun L, Geng H. Impacts and mechanism of biodegradable microplastics on lake sediment properties, bacterial dynamics, and greenhouse gasses emissions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:165727. [PMID: 37487892 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
The accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in freshwater ecosystems plays a vital role in greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions from lake sediment by altering sediment properties and microbial communities. Thus, a short-term microcosm experiment was performed to explore the effect of conventional polyethylene (PE) and biodegradable Poly (butylene-adipate-co-terephtalate) (PBAT) MPs on carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emissions from lake sediment and associated microbial community. The results indicated that at 1.0 % concentration, the cumulative CO2 emissions were increased by 16.8 % and the cumulative CH4 emissions were increased more than four times following the addition of biodegradable MPs compared to conventional MPs, which was due to the more dissolved organic carbon (DOC) provided by biodegradable MPs for microbial respiration. Furthermore, the cumulative CO2 and CH4 emissions significantly (p < 0.05) increased with the increasing concentrations of biodegradable MPs. Notably, the accumulation of MPs could weaken the microbial stress from requirements of energy and substrate, and increase the microbial biomass carbon (MBC) value, thus eventually improving the respiratory capacity of microbes. In addition, the biodegradable MPs significantly increased the abundance of microbes, such as Firmicutes, Myxococcota and Actinobacteriota, which were related to the function of anaerobic respiration. Overall, we concluded that the abundant DOC provided by biodegradable MPs could promote the growth of microbes in lake sediment, and they could change the structure and diversity of the microbial community, which would eventually enhance the anaerobic respiration of microbes and aggravate the GHGs emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zequn Fan
- College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China.
| | - Cuiling Jiang
- College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China.
| | - Tahir Muhammad
- College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China.
| | - Imran Ali
- College of environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Yakun Feng
- College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Lei Sun
- College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Hui Geng
- College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China.
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22
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Xiang Y, Peñuelas J, Sardans J, Liu Y, Yao B, Li Y. Effects of microplastics exposure on soil inorganic nitrogen: A comprehensive synthesis. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 460:132514. [PMID: 37708652 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics, a growing environmental concern, impact soil inorganic nitrogen (N) transformation, specifically affecting water-extractable nitrate N (NO3--N) and ammonium N (NH4+-N). However, inconsistencies among relevant findings necessitate a systematic analysis. Accordingly, the present meta-analysis addresses these discrepancies by evaluating the effects of microplastics on soil inorganic N and identifying key influencing factors. Our meta-analysis of 216 paired observations from 47 studies demonstrates microplastics exposure causes an overall significant reduction of 7.89% in soil NO3--N concentration, but has no significant impact on NH4+-N concentration. Subgroup analysis further revealed effects of microplastics on soil inorganic N were modulated by microplastics characteristics, experimental conditions (exposure time, experimental temperature, plant effects), and soil properties (soil texture, initial soil pH, initial soil organic carbon, soil total N concentration). We found that microplastics exposure above 27 ℃ enhances soil NO3--N concentration, a finding linked to specific soil properties and conditions, underscoring the impacts of global warming. Importantly, the microplastics polymer type was the most influential predictor of effects on soil NO3--N concentration, while soil NH4+-N concentration was primarily affected by soil texture and microplastics type. These findings illuminate the complex effects of microplastics on soil inorganic N, informing soil management amid increasing microplastics pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangzhou Xiang
- School of Geography and Resources, Guizhou Education University, Guiyang 550018, China
| | - Josep Peñuelas
- CSIC Global Ecology Unit, CREAF-CSIC-UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain; CREAF - Ecological and Forestry Applications Research Centre, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jordi Sardans
- CSIC Global Ecology Unit, CREAF-CSIC-UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain; CREAF - Ecological and Forestry Applications Research Centre, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Ying Liu
- School of Biological Sciences, Guizhou Education University, Guiyang 550018, China
| | - Bin Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Ecology Conservation and Restoration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China.
| | - Yuan Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems of Lanzhou University, National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems in Gansu Qingyang, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou 730020, China.
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23
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Li Y, Hou Y, Hou Q, Long M, Wang Z, Rillig MC, Liao Y, Yong T. Soil microbial community parameters affected by microplastics and other plastic residues. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1258606. [PMID: 37901816 PMCID: PMC10601715 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1258606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The impact of plastics on terrestrial ecosystems is receiving increasing attention. Although of great importance to soil biogeochemical processes, how plastics influence soil microbes have yet to be systematically studied. The primary objectives of this study are to evaluate whether plastics lead to divergent responses of soil microbial community parameters, and explore the potential driving factors. Methods We performed a meta-analysis of 710 paired observations from 48 published articles to quantify the impact of plastic on the diversity, biomass, and functionality of soil microbial communities. Results and discussion This study indicated that plastics accelerated soil organic carbon loss (effect size = -0.05, p = 0.004) and increased microbial functionality (effect size = 0.04, p = 0.003), but also reduced microbial biomass (effect size = -0.07, p < 0.001) and the stability of co-occurrence networks. Polyethylene significantly reduced microbial richness (effect size = -0.07, p < 0.001) while polypropylene significantly increased it (effect size = 0.17, p < 0.001). Degradable plastics always had an insignificant effect on the microbial community. The effect of the plastic amount on microbial functionality followed the "hormetic dose-response" model, the infection point was about 40 g/kg. Approximately 3564.78 μm was the size of the plastic at which the response of microbial functionality changed from positive to negative. Changes in soil pH, soil organic carbon, and total nitrogen were significantly positively correlated with soil microbial functionality, biomass, and richness (R2 = 0.04-0.73, p < 0.05). The changes in microbial diversity were decoupled from microbial community structure and functionality. We emphasize the negative impacts of plastics on soil microbial communities such as microbial abundance, essential to reducing the risk of ecological surprise in terrestrial ecosystems. Our comprehensive assessment of plastics on soil microbial community parameters deepens the understanding of environmental impacts and ecological risks from this emerging pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yüze Li
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Crop Strip Intercropping System, College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Yuting Hou
- College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Quanming Hou
- College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Mei Long
- College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Ziting Wang
- College of Agronomy, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology, Nanning, China
| | - Matthias C. Rillig
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Biology, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Berlin, Germany
| | - Yuncheng Liao
- College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Taiwen Yong
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Crop Strip Intercropping System, College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
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24
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Yu Y, Li X, Fan H, Li Y, Yao H. Dose effect of polyethylene microplastics on nitrous oxide emissions from paddy soils cultivated for different periods. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 453:131445. [PMID: 37088019 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The presence of microplastics (MPs) under flooded conditions is beneficial for nitrifiers and denitrifiers to produce nitrous oxide (N2O), but their dose effect remains unclear. This study evaluated the impact of different doses of polyethylene (PE) MPs on the release of N2O from paddy soils cultivated for different years. Compared with unpolluted soils, low doses of MPs (≤ 0.1%) had a negligible influence on N2O emissions, and high amounts of MPs (≥ 0.5%) significantly (p < 0.05) increased N2O emissions from the paddy soils cultivated for 3, 15 and 40 years by 2.5-4.3, 3.9-8.5 and 8.9-27.7 times, respectively. Moreover, an exponential model indicated that a 0.2% concentration of PE MPs appeared to be the dose threshold that accelerated the release of N2O from the all soils. Increased MP concentrations accelerated N2O emissions by affecting microbial functional genes involved in N2O production and reduction, but microbial taxonomic attributes involved in nitrogen cycling played an insignificant role in controlling N2O emissions. Overall, our results indicated that high doses (≥ 0.5%) of PE MPs essentially accelerated the emission of N2O from rice soils, and a longer cultivation period (40 years) enhanced the positive effect of MPs on N2O emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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, PR 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, PR China
| | - Haoxin Fan
- Research Center for Environmental Ecology and Engineering, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, 206 Guanggu 1st Road, Wuhan 430205, PR China
| | - Yaying Li
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, PR China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, PR 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, PR China; Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, PR China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, PR China.
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25
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Kim D, Kim H, An YJ. Species sensitivity distributions of micro- and nanoplastics in soil based on particle characteristics. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 452:131229. [PMID: 36958161 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Micro- and nanoplastics are released into the soil through various anthropogenic activities; however, research on ecological risk assessment (ERA) of soil microplastics is limited. In this study, the species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) of representative groups of soil biota were analyzed to determine their sensitivity to microplastic properties. A total of 411 datasets from apical endpoint data within 74 studies were classified and utilized in SSD estimation. The hazardous concentrations for 5% of species for microplastics was 88.18 (40.71-191.00) mg/kg soil. It has been established that small-sized microplastics are more toxic to soil organisms than larger microplastics. Most microplastics were spherical and polystyrene, exhibiting the most adverse effects among all the microplastic types assessed herein. The results suggest that physical characteristics of microplastics are important toxicity determinants in soil ecosystems. Given the potential for adverse environmental effects, further effective management strategies should urgently be employed in these areas. This study provided an integrated perspective of microplastic ecotoxicity in soil. In addition, SSDs were estimated using larger datasets and for more species than in previous studies. This is the first study to consider microplastic properties for estimating SSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dokyung Kim
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Haemi Kim
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Youn-Joo An
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.
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26
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Ko K, Chung H, Kim W, Kim MJ. Effects of different sizes of polystyrene micro(nano)plastics on soil microbial communities. NANOIMPACT 2023; 30:100460. [PMID: 37004806 DOI: 10.1016/j.impact.2023.100460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Micro(nano)plastic (MNP) pollution in soil environments is a major concern, but the effects of different sizes of MNPs on soil microbial communities, which are crucial in nutrient cycling, has not been well investigated. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of polystyrene (PS) MNPs of different sizes (0.05-, 0.5-, and 5-μm) on soil microbial activity and community composition. Changes in inorganic N concentration, microbial biomass, and extracellular enzyme activities were determined in soils treated with 100 and 1000 μg PS MNPs g-1 soil during a 40-d incubation experiment. Soil microbial biomass was significantly lowered when soils were treated with 0.5- or 5-μm MNPs at 100 and 1000 μg PS MNPs g-1 soil. NH4+ concentration was higher in soils treated with 5-μm MNPs at 100 and 1000 μg g-1 soil than in the control soils at day 1, suggesting that MNPs inhibited the soil nitrification in short term. In contrast, extracellular enzyme activity was not altered by MNPs. The composition of microbial communities analyzed by Illumina MiSeq sequencing changed; particularly, the relative abundance of several bacteria related to N cycling, such as the genus Rhizomicrobium belonging to Alphaproteobacteria was decreased by 0.5- and 5-μm MNPs. Our study shows that the size of MNPs is an important factor that can determine their effects on soil microbial communities. Therefore, the size effects need to be considered in assessing the environmental impacts of MNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwanyoung Ko
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Haegeun Chung
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Woong Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02473, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Ji Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02473, Republic of Korea.
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27
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Porterfield KK, Hobson SA, Neher DA, Niles MT, Roy ED. Microplastics in composts, digestates, and food wastes: A review. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2023; 52:225-240. [PMID: 36645846 DOI: 10.1002/jeq2.20450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Diverting food waste from landfills to composting or anaerobic digestion can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enable the recovery of energy in usable forms, and create nutrient-rich soil amendments. However, many food waste streams are mixed with plastic packaging, raising concerns that food waste-derived composts and digestates may inadvertently introduce microplastics into agricultural soils. Research on the occurrence of microplastics in food waste-derived soil amendments is in an early phase and the relative importance of this potential pathway of microplastics to agricultural soils needs further clarification. In this paper, we review what is known and what is not known about the abundance of microplastics in composts, digestates, and food wastes and their effects on agricultural soils. Additionally, we highlight future research needs and suggest ways to harmonize microplastic abundance and ecotoxicity studies with the design of related policies. This review is novel in that it focuses on quantitative measures of microplastics in composts, digestates, and food wastes and discusses limitations of existing methods and implications for policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine K Porterfield
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
- Gund Institute for Environment, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Sarah A Hobson
- Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Deborah A Neher
- Gund Institute for Environment, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
- Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Meredith T Niles
- Gund Institute for Environment, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences & Food Systems Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Eric D Roy
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
- Gund Institute for Environment, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
- Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
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28
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Li X, Yao S, Wang Z, Jiang X, Song Y, Chang SX. Polyethylene microplastic and biochar interactively affect the global warming potential of soil greenhouse gas emissions. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 315:120433. [PMID: 36243191 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Emerging microplastic pollution and biochar application result in their coexistence in the soil. In this study, a polyethylene microplastic, a straw biochar, and a manure biochar were applied alone or in combination to an agricultural soil to explore their interactive effects on microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, bacterial community composition, structure and function, and the resultant greenhouse gas emissions in a 45-day laboratory incubation. At the end of incubation, the co-application of microplastic and biochar suppressed the global warming potential of cumulative greenhouse gas emissions compared with the sum of their application alone. Specifically, coexisting with microplastics increased N2O emissions by 37.5% but decreased CH4 emissions by 35.8% in the straw biochar added soil, and decreased N2O, CO2 and CH4 emissions by 24.8, 6.2, and 65.2%, respectively, in the manure biochar added soil. A correlation network analysis illustrated that the increased global warming potential was related to the changed bacterial function and microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen in the treatments with straw biochar and/or polyethylene microplastic added, and by the changed bacterial community structure and function in the treatments with manure biochar and/or polyethylene microplastic added. Bacterial functions associated with tricarboxylic acid cycle contributed to CO2 emissions. Bacterial functions associated with the nitrogen cycle such as nosZ and AOBamoABC were negatively and positively correlated with N2O emissions, respectively. The interaction between different types of microplastics and soil amendments and the resultant effects on ecosystem function deserve further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Li
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, and School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China; Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E3, Canada; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shi Yao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhenyu Wang
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, and School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Xin Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yang Song
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Scott X Chang
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E3, Canada
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Microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems: Un-ignorable impacts on soil characterises, nutrient storage and its cycling. Trends Analyt Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2022.116869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
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Shi J, Wang J, Lv J, Wang Z, Peng Y, Shang J, Wang X. Microplastic additions alter soil organic matter stability and bacterial community under varying temperature in two contrasting soils. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156471. [PMID: 35660606 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics can accumulate in soils and strongly affect the biogeochemical cycle. Biodegradable plastic films show potential as sustainable alternatives that could reduce microplastic soil contamination and accumulation. However, the effects of traditional and biodegradable microplastics on soil organic matter (SOM) stability are not sufficiently understood, particularly under varying temperatures. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of polyethylene (PE) and biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics on SOM stability and bacterial community in two contrasting soils (Black soil vs. Loess soil) under varying temperature conditions (15 °C vs. 25 °C). Results showed that microplastics addition significantly enhanced cumulative CO2 emissions and DOC contents, particularly 1 % PLA treatment accelerated CO2 emissions by 19 % - 74 %, DOC content by 3 % - 23 % at 25 °C. A higher temperature sensitivity (Q10) at the PLA treatment indicated that PLA is more susceptible to elevated temperature compared to PE. The presence of both PE and PLA microplastics significantly changed the DOC spectral characteristics, i.e., high temperature increased the value of the specific UV absorbance (SUVA) in soil without microplastics, while decreased it in soil with microplastics. In comparison to soil without microplastics, soil exposed to 1 % microplastics had lower MBC concentrations and greater metabolic quotient. 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the presence of PLA microplastic significantly alters soil bacterial community. PE and CK had similar Bray-Curtis distances between two temperatures, while PLA increased the dissimilarity between CK compared to PE. Compared to the two soils, loess soil is more sensitive to microplastics addition. Microplastics have a non-ignorable effect on soil organic matter stability, the interaction between microplastics and soil environment should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Shi
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jie Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Junfei Lv
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zi Wang
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yumei Peng
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jianying Shang
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
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31
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Shi J, Wang J, Lv J, Wang Z, Peng Y, Wang X. Microplastic presence significantly alters soil nitrogen transformation and decreases nitrogen bioavailability under contrasting temperatures. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 317:115473. [PMID: 35751272 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Plastic mulch is frequently used to increase crop yield, resulting in large quantities of residues accumulating in soil due to low recovery rates. However, the effects of microplastic residues from traditional and biodegradable plastic films on soil nitrogen (N) transformation and bioavailability are not well understood. Here, the main objectives were to examine the effects of micro-sized residues (diameter <5 mm) of polyethylene (PE) and biodegradable plastic mulch films (PLA) on the soil N in two contrasting soils (clay soil and sandy loam soil) in different temperatures (15 °C vs. 25 °C). Results showed that the microplastic presence showed a little effect on soil N transformation and bioavailability at 15 °C, but both microplastics significantly decreased NO3-, mineral N (MN), total dissolved N (TDN), the net cumulative N nitrification (Nn), and the net cumulative N mineralization (Nm) at 25 °C, indicating that microplastics decreased soil N bioavailability at elevated temperature. Meanwhile, the microplastics significantly reduced the temperature sensitivity (Q10) of N mineralization. The presence of microplastics changed the composition of soil mineral N with lower relative NO3- and higher NH4+ compared to the control in clay soil. The sandy loam soil was more susceptible to microplastic pollution compared to clay soil in N transformation, due to different textures and biochemistry properties in the two soils, which showed that microplastics have a significant soil heterogeneity-dependent effect on soil N processes. Therefore, the results underline that the effects of microplastic residues on soil N cycling can be partly linked to soil properties, suggesting the urgent need for further studies examining their impacts on soil nutrient cycling in different soil systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Shi
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jie Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Junfei Lv
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zi Wang
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yumei Peng
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Science and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, 712100, China.
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32
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Yu Y, Li X, Feng Z, Xiao M, Ge T, Li Y, Yao H. Polyethylene microplastics alter the microbial functional gene abundances and increase nitrous oxide emissions from paddy soils. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 432:128721. [PMID: 35334262 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in terrestrial ecosystems can affect greenhouse gases (GHGs) production by changing soil structure and microbial functions. In this study, microcosm experiments were conducted to investigate the impact of polyethylene (PE) MP addition on soil carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from paddy soils and their associated microbial functional genes. Methane was not considered due to the negligible emissions throughout the incubation. The amendment of both virgin and aged PE MPs did not significantly (p > 0.05) affect soil CO2 emissions, but significantly (p < 0.05) increased the abundances of microbial functional genes encoding enzymes involved in hemicellulose (abfA) and lignin (mnp) decomposition, indicating plastic particle has potential to stimulate soil organic carbon decomposition. The presence of PE MP significantly increased N2O emissions by 3.7-fold, which was probably due to PE MP increased the abundances of nirS gene involved in nitrite reductase. In addition, compared with virgin PE MP treatment, artificially aged PE MP did not significantly (p > 0.05) influence soil CO2 and N2O emissions. Our results provide evidence that PE MP likely cause a high risk of N2O emission from paddy soils, this factor should be considered in future estimates of GHGs emissions from rice fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongxiang Yu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, People's Republic of China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, People's Republic of China; Research Center for Environmental Ecology and Engineering, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, 206 Guanggu 1st Road, Wuhan 430205, People's Republic of 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, People's Republic of 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, People's Republic of China
| | - Mouliang Xiao
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Tida Ge
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaying Li
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, People's Republic of China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, People's Republic of China
| | - Huaiying Yao
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, People's Republic of China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, People's Republic of China; Research Center for Environmental Ecology and Engineering, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, 206 Guanggu 1st Road, Wuhan 430205, People's Republic of China.
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33
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Chen MM, Nie FH, Qamar A, Zhu DH, Hu Y, Zhang M, Song QL, Lin HY, Chen ZB, Liu SQ, Chen JJ. Effects of Microplastics on Microbial Community in Zhanjiang Mangrove Sediments. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2022; 108:867-877. [PMID: 35039887 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-021-03429-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are easily consumed by marine animals, thereby entering the food chain and endangering animal health. However, there are few studies focusing on the effects of microplastics in mangrove sediments on microbial communities. In order to study the influence of microplastics on microorganisms, microplastics and microorganisms were extracted from Zhanjiang (Guangdong Province, China) mangrove sediments and analyzed. The results showed that there were differences in Shannon and Simpson indices of the microbial community in microplastics (p < 0.05), and there were also differences between JG30_KF_CM45 and Natranaerovirga at the genus level, indicating that microplastics may affect the diversity and composition of microorganisms in sediments. In addition, FAPROTAX function prediction analysis showed that microplastics may affect the nitrification of microbial communities. The results from this study indicate that microplastics affected the diversity and richness of microorganisms in mangrove sediments, which provides an experimental basis for the relationship between microplastics and microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Meng Chen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agriculture, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, Guangdong, China
| | - Fang-Hong Nie
- School of Food Science and Technology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, Guangdong, China
| | - Aftab Qamar
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agriculture, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, Guangdong, China
| | - Di-Hua Zhu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agriculture, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, Guangdong, China
| | - Yao Hu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agriculture, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, Guangdong, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agriculture, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, Guangdong, China
| | - Qing-Lang Song
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agriculture, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, Guangdong, China
| | - Hong-Ying Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agriculture, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhi-Bao Chen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agriculture, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, Guangdong, China
| | - Su-Qing Liu
- Zhanjiang Wangmu Ecological Agriculture Technology Co., Ltd, Zhanjiang, 5240883, Guangdong, China
| | - Jin-Jun Chen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agriculture, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, Guangdong, China.
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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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35
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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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36
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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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37
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Zhou Y, Sun Y, Liu J, Ren X, Zhang Z, Wang Q. Effects of microplastics on humification and fungal community during cow manure composting. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 803:150029. [PMID: 34525714 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The effect of microplastics (MPs) on the biological treatment of organic waste has been extensively studied, but little is known about the influence of different MPs on composting humification and the fungal community. In this study, PE, PVC, and PHA MPs were individually mixed with cow dung and sawdust and then composted. The results showed that different MPs had various influences on humification, and the humic acid to fulvic acid ratio of all MP-added treatments (0.44-0.83) was lower than that of the control (0.91). During the composting process, Ascomycota (26.32-89.14%) and Basidiomycota (0.47-4.78%) are the dominant phyla in all treatments and all microplastics decreased the diversity and richness of the fungal community at the thermophilic stage of composting. Exposure to MPs had an obvious effect on the fungal community at the genus level, and the addition of PHA and PE MPs increased the relative abundance of phytopathogenic fungi. LEfSe and network analysis indicated that MPs reduced the number of biomarkers and led to a simpler and more unstable fungal community structure compared to the control. This study has important implications for assessing microplastic pollution and organic waste disposal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanting Zhou
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Yue Sun
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Jili Liu
- College of Ecology and Environment, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750021, China
| | - Xiuna Ren
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Zengqiang Zhang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Quan Wang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agrienvironment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China.
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38
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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: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.3] [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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Duan J, Bolan N, Li Y, Ding S, Atugoda T, Vithanage M, Sarkar B, Tsang DCW, Kirkham MB. Weathering of microplastics and interaction with other coexisting constituents in terrestrial and aquatic environments. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 196:117011. [PMID: 33743325 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 75.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Weathering of microplastics (MPs, < 5 mm) in terrestrial and aquatic environments affects MP transport and distribution. This paper first summarizes the sources of MPs, including refuse in landfills, biowastes, plastic films, and wastewater discharge. Once MPs enter water and soil, they undergo different weathering processes. MPs can be converted into small molecules (e.g., oligomers and monomers), and may be completely mineralized under the action of free radicals or microorganisms. The rate and extent of weathering of MPs depend on their physicochemical properties and environmental conditions of the media to which they are exposed. In general, water dissipates heat better, and has a lower temperature, than land; thus, the weathering rate of MPs in the aquatic environment is slower than in the terrestrial environment. These weathering processes increase oxygen-containing functional groups and the specific surface area of MPs, which influence the sorption and aggregation that occur between weathered MPs and their co-existing constituents. More studies are needed to investigate the various weathering processes of diverse MPs under natural field conditions in soils, sediments, and aquatic environments, to understand the impact of weathered MPs in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Duan
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Nanthi Bolan
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Yang Li
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Shiyuan Ding
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Thilakshani Atugoda
- Ecosphere Resilience Research Center, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka
| | - Meththika Vithanage
- Ecosphere Resilience Research Center, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka
| | - Binoy Sarkar
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel C W Tsang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - M B Kirkham
- Department of Agronomy, Throckmorton Plant Sciences Center, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, United States
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