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Acetochlor promotes the aging of mulch-derived microplastics in soil by altering the plastisphere microbial community
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Researchers investigated the interaction between the herbicide acetochlor and mulch-derived microplastics in soil and found that the herbicide significantly accelerated the fragmentation and aging of the plastic particles. Acetochlor enriched on microplastic surfaces and promoted biofilm development, with the bacterium Pseudomonas becoming dominant due to its ability to degrade both the herbicide and polyethylene. The findings reveal a complex feedback loop where agricultural chemicals can worsen microplastic pollution by accelerating plastic breakdown in farmland soils.
Although many studies have already highlighted the effects of mulch-derived microplastics (MDMPs) on adsorbing and spreading organic pollutants, the ecological risks of MDMPs co-contaminated with herbicide and the interaction between them have not been clarified. In this study, the interactions between MDMPs from virgin and aged low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films and the herbicide acetochlor in soil were investigated by microcosmic experiments. Results showed that acetochlor in soil was significantly enriched on the surface of MDMPs, with higher concentration on aged-MDMPs compared to virgin-MDMPs. Acetochlor significantly accelerated the fragmentation of aged-MDMPs, leading to more oxygenated functional groups and promoting biofilm development. Acetochlor also notably altered plastisphere microbial community, with Pseudomonas dominating for an extended period in acetochlor-treated samples. This suggests that Pseudomonas may facilitate the aging of MDMPs, likely due to its dual ability to degrade both acetochlor and polyethylene. Additionally, acetochlor initially increased microbial diversity and interaction complexity in the plastisphere, but decreased them in later phase, resulting in a more specialized community. These findings reported here broaden our understanding of interactions between MDMPs and herbicide in soil and offer insights for improved farmland management practices.
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Researchers examined whether microplastics from agricultural plastic films worsen the toxic effects of the herbicide acetochlor on soil health. They found that both conventional polyethylene and biodegradable PBAT microplastics combined with the herbicide caused soil acidification, depleted organic carbon, and disrupted microbial communities more severely than either contaminant alone. The study suggests that microplastics from farming materials may amplify the harmful effects of commonly used agricultural chemicals on soil ecosystems.
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Adding polyethylene microplastics to soil influenced the degradation of the herbicide glyphosate and altered microbial activity, with effects depending on the concentration of both microplastics and glyphosate. The findings suggest that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils could affect how long pesticides persist and how soil microbes function.
Effect of prothioconazole on the degradation of microplastics derived from mulching plastic film: Apparent change and interaction with heavy metals in soil
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Researchers examined how the fungicide prothioconazole affects the degradation of microplastics derived from polyethylene mulch film and biodegradable PBAT film in agricultural soil, finding that the pesticide inhibited microbial communities responsible for plastic breakdown and slowed degradation rates. The study highlights an underappreciated interaction between agricultural chemical use and plastic persistence in soil.
The plastisphere of biodegradable and conventional microplastics from residues exhibit distinct microbial structure, network and function in plastic-mulching farmland
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Researchers compared the bacterial communities that colonize biodegradable and conventional plastic microplastics in farmland soil. They found that biodegradable plastics (PBAT/PLA) and conventional polyethylene each attracted distinct microbial communities with different functions, including bacteria that could degrade plastics or cycle nutrients. The results suggest that even biodegradable plastics create unique microbial environments in soil that may affect soil health and function in unexpected ways.
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