We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Water level regimes can regulate the influences of microplastic pollution on carbon loss in paddy soils: Insights from dissolved organic matter and carbon mineralization
Summary
Researchers examined how water level fluctuations in wetlands regulate the influence of microplastic pollution on carbon cycling, finding that alternating wet and dry conditions altered decomposition rates and greenhouse gas emissions in MP-contaminated wetland soils.
The persistence of farmland microplastic (MP) pollution has raised significant concerns regarding its effects on soil organic carbon (SOC) pools in the context of soil pollution but also of global climate change. Nevertheless, the effect of MPs on SOC mineralization as well as dissolved organic carbon (DOC) transformation with different water levels in paddy soils remained uncertain. In this study, we investigated the effect of micro polyethylene (PE) on SOC decomposition in paddy soils under alternating wet and dry (AWD) and continuous flooding (CF) conditions through a 205-day microcosm experiment. Polyethylene addition reduced cumulative CO emissions by 5.1-14.8 % under both water conditions. The presence of PE influenced SOC mineralization under CF conditions by diminishing the activity of cellobiohydrolase enzymes and increasing the microbial community diversity. Conversely, at AWD the addition of PE impeded SOC mineralization by reducing the activity of polyphenol oxidase enzymes. However, PE addition resulted in higher DOC content and at low dose of PE addition (0.25 % w/w) increased DOM bioavailability. The most significantly positive effect was found with the addition of 1 % w/w PE, which increased DOC content by 37.2 % and 18.5 % compared to Control (CK) under AWD and CF conditions, respectively. The strong correlation observed between DOC and mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) concentrations might result from DOC adsorbed to mineral surfaces to form MAOC and then affect SOC mineralization. Accordingly, AWD is a more efficient management to attenuate the impact of MPs on SOC decomposition compared to CF. Our study is noteworthy in the development of sustainable agricultural practice management in plastic-contaminated soil-crop systems.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Effect of microplastics on CO2 emission from Yellow River Delta wetland
Researchers found that microplastic contamination in Yellow River Delta wetland soils altered CO2 emissions, with different polymer types and concentrations producing varying effects on soil carbon dynamics — raising concern that plastic pollution could undermine the carbon sequestration function of coastal wetlands.
Carbon Cycling in Wetlands Under the Shadow of Microplastics: Challenges and Prospects
This review examines how microplastics disrupt carbon cycling in wetlands, which are critical ecosystems for capturing and storing carbon that would otherwise contribute to climate change. Microplastics can damage plant roots, alter soil microbial communities, and accelerate the breakdown of stored organic carbon, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions. The findings highlight that microplastic pollution may undermine wetlands' ability to help regulate the climate.
Microplastics shape microbial communities affecting soil organic matter decomposition in paddy soil
Researchers found that microplastics shape soil microbial communities in paddy soils in ways that affect organic matter decomposition, revealing how bacterial succession and carbon cycling are altered by microplastic presence in agricultural systems.
Effect of microplastics on organic matter decomposition in paddy soil amended with crop residues and labile C: A three-source-partitioning study
Researchers used isotope labeling to separate contributions of native soil carbon, added crop residues, and labile carbon to CO2 flux in paddy soils containing microplastics, finding that MPs suppressed decomposition of native soil carbon while accelerating breakdown of fresh crop residues.
Microplastic residues in wetland ecosystems: Do they truly threaten the plant-microbe-soil system?
Researchers used a controlled pot experiment to assess microplastic effects on wetland plant growth, soil microbial communities, and nutrient cycling, finding that MPs altered soil enzyme activity and shifted bacterial community composition but had variable effects on plant growth depending on plastic type.