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Earthworms mitigate drought effects on microbial decomposition of straw under varying microplastic conditions
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Researchers found that earthworms could partially offset the negative effects of both biodegradable and non-degradable microplastics on microbial straw decomposition during drought conditions in Loess Plateau soils, primarily by modifying soil physical properties and microbial community composition.
Microplastic pollution and drought stress potentially threaten soil functions (e.g., straw decomposition) in semi-arid agroecosystems of the Loess Plateau. large decomposers (e.g., earthworms) can promote straw decomposition by modulating soil physico-chemical properties and microbial communities. However, whether, how, and to what extent earthworms can mitigate these negative effects. Here, we conducted a microcosm experiment to test the effects of microplastic pollution (no microplastic addition vs. biodegradable microplastic vs. non-degradable microplastic), and drought stress (ambient vs. drought) on microbial decomposition of straw in the presence vs. absence of earthworms. We found that both biodegradable and non-degradable microplastics enhanced microbial decomposition of straw by 11 % and 29 %, respectively, by boosting microbial diversity and total biomass. Drought, conversely, reduced microbial decomposition by 30 %. Notably, earthworms mitigated drought effects by promoting microbial decomposition by 22 % through increasing soil carbon and nutrient availability, as well as microbial biodiversity and biomass. Overall, these findings suggest that large soil decomposers can substantially alleviate the detrimental effects of global changes on ecosystem functions by enhancing the community complexity of small detritivores.
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Earthworms counteract drought-induced impairment of wheat performance at the jointing stage regardless of microplastic type
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Researchers ran a 120-day microcosm experiment showing that earthworms (Eisenia fetida) significantly offset drought-induced wheat biomass loss at the jointing stage — increasing biomass by 57.5% under drought — regardless of whether conventional polyethylene or biodegradable PLA microplastics were present, with soil nitrate nitrogen and aggregate stability identified as the key mediating pathways.
Potential Use of Earthworms to Enhance Decaying of Biodegradable Plastics
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Researchers examined the potential of earthworms to accelerate the biodegradation of both conventional and biobased biodegradable plastics in soil, finding that earthworm activity can enhance the physical fragmentation and microbial degradation of some polymers, though effectiveness varies significantly by polymer type. The study suggests earthworm-assisted composting as a partial strategy to reduce agricultural plastic pollution.
Earthworms drive type-dependent mitigation of microplastic-induced SOC mineralization potential in semi-arid agroecosystems: microcosm evidence
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In a 120-day lab experiment using soil microcosms from a semi-arid farming region in China, both biodegradable and non-biodegradable microplastics increased the breakdown of soil organic carbon by over 30%. Adding earthworms reduced this effect by about 35%, though they worked differently depending on plastic type: lowering enzyme activity with biodegradable plastics and improving soil structure with non-biodegradable plastics.
Earthworms alleviate microplastics stress on soil microbial and protist communities
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Researchers found that earthworms can help alleviate the negative effects of microplastic pollution on soil microbial and protist communities. In microcosm experiments, soils with earthworms showed more resilient bacterial, fungal, and protist communities when exposed to both conventional and biodegradable microplastics. The study suggests that soil macrofauna play an important role in buffering ecosystems against the disruptive effects of microplastic contamination.
Microplastics in agricultural soils: Impacts on soil microbial communities, nutrient cycling, earthworm health, and soil ecosystem functions
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This review pulls together existing research showing that tiny plastic bits building up in farm soil, from sources like plastic mulch and sewage sludge, are harming the soil itself, disrupting the microbes and earthworms that keep it healthy and fertile. This matters because damaged soil means reduced crop growth and food security over time, and these same microplastics can carry harmful chemicals and heavy metals that may end up in our food, water, and air. The researchers stress that without action to reduce plastic pollution now, the damage to farmland could become permanent.
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