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Disturbances of MPs on nitrogen in surface water: A case study of Chinese water bodies in the past three years
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This study investigated whether the presence of microplastics in Chinese rivers and lakes correlates with nitrogen pollution — specifically ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen levels. Analyzing water quality data collected over three years, the researchers found statistical associations suggesting that microplastics disturb nitrogen cycling in surface waters, potentially by affecting the microbial communities that process nitrogen compounds. Understanding this interaction matters because both microplastics and excess nitrogen are major threats to freshwater ecosystem health.
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in surface waters, yet their impact on nitrogen concentrations remains underexplored. This study investigates the relationship between MPs and both ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N) and total nitrogen (TN) through statistical analysis. Over the past three years, NH₃-N concentrations in Chinese rivers have ranged from 0.02 to 3.18 mg/L, while TN concentrations have varied between 0.741 and 10.18 mg/L. The abundance of MPs in these waters ranges from 1.75 to 1450.011 items/L. Research indicates that MPs can promote ammonification, leading to an increase in NH₃-N accumulation by inhibiting nitrification and nitrogen assimilation processes. Conversely, MPs accelerate the removal of TN by enhancing denitrification activity. The results reveal that electrical conductivity (EC) is a key mediating factor in the impact of MPs on nitrogen in water bodies (standardized path coefficient: 0.521). For the first time, this study identifies a threshold effect for MPs in surface waters: a threshold of 3.854 items/L (P < 0.001) was determined, above which the efficiency of total nitrogen removal decreases. This research provides a theoretical foundation for understanding the impact of MPs on the nitrogen cycle in surface waters.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic pollution and ecological risks in the wet season: Potential effects on bacterial communities and nitrogen cycling in a coastal watershed of Southeast China
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Scientists studying a river system in Southeast China found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in the water, with higher amounts near cities and areas with more human activity. These plastics were linked to changes in the natural bacteria living in the river, including bacteria that help process nitrogen and keep water systems healthy—meaning plastic pollution might be quietly disrupting the ecosystems that filter and clean the water we ultimately rely on.
Effects of microplastics on inorganic nitrogen dynamics in surface water sediments under different disturbance intensities
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Laboratory experiments showed that microplastics in sediments alter nitrogen cycling in freshwater systems in ways that depend strongly on concentration: low levels boosted ammonium release, while high levels suppressed it and amplified nitrate consumption. These disruptions to the nitrogen cycle could affect water quality and aquatic productivity, especially in systems that are frequently disturbed by dredging or flooding.
[Response of Relationship Between Microplastic Abundance and Nitrogen Metabolism Function Microorganisms and Genes in Water].
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Researchers investigated the relationship between microplastic abundance and nitrogen-metabolizing microorganisms and genes in Lake Ulansuhai using microscopy and metagenomic sequencing, finding that microplastics in freshwater environments significantly influenced the composition and activity of nitrogen metabolism functional bacteria and associated genes.
[Mechanisms of Interaction Between Microplastics and Carbon and Nitrogen Transformations in Aquatic Environments].
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This review paper looks at how tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in lakes, rivers, and oceans disrupt the natural cycling of carbon and nitrogen — nutrients that support healthy ecosystems. The particles can physically harm small organisms, block nutrient absorption, and carry other pollutants, which throws off the balance of these underwater environments over time. Since these disruptions can ripple through the food chain and affect water quality, understanding them matters for protecting both aquatic ecosystems and the food and water humans depend on.
Current status of microplastic pollution in China’s aquatic environment and its interactions with metal pollutants on aquatic organisms
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Researchers reviewed the current state of microplastic pollution in China's rivers, lakes, and coastal waters and how microplastics interact with metal pollutants to affect aquatic organisms. They found that microplastics can absorb metals from the water and that the combined exposure is often more harmful to aquatic life than either pollutant alone. The study highlights that tire wear microplastics are a particularly concerning source because they release high levels of metals, creating compounding risks for freshwater and marine ecosystems.
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