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Soil nitrogen deficiency aggravated the aging of biodegradable microplastics in paddy soil under the input of organic substances with contrasting C/N ratios
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A 150-day dark incubation experiment found that soil nitrogen deficiency aggravated the aging of polylactic acid biodegradable microplastics in paddy soil, with higher C/N ratio organic substance inputs accelerating PLA-MP degradation by altering soil pH and nutrient cycling.
The application of organic substances to the agricultural field has effectively enhanced soil nutrient levels and crop yields. Biodegradable microplastics (bio-MPs), a pervasive emerging contaminant, may potentially impact the soil ecosystem through their aging process. Here, a 150-day dark incubation experiment was conducted to elucidate the disparities in the aging process of polylactic acid bio-MPs (PLA-MPs) in soils with contrasting C/N ratios of organic substances, as the mechanisms underlying this process remain unclear. The study found that PLA-MPs resulted in an increase in soil pH, nutrient levels, and organic carbon content in soil-straw system. Additionally, PLA-MPs significantly influenced bacterial community composition and microbial metabolic activity in soil-straw system. Notably, more pronounced aging features of PLA-MPs was observed in soil-straw system (lower soil nitrogen environment) compared to soil-fertilizer system (higher soil nitrogen environment). Under lower soil nitrogen conditions, microorganisms may accelerate the aging process of PLA-MPs due to their preference for readily available energy sources; conversely, under higher soil nitrogen conditions, the aging of PLA-MPs may be decelerated as microorganisms preferentially utilize substances with easily accessible energy sources. Our findings provide valuable insights into the interaction between PLA-MPs and soil amended with the organic substances of contrasting C/N ratios.
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Researchers investigated the aging of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene microplastics in paddy soil during seven wet-dry alternation cycles over 98 days and found that cycling conditions accelerated chemical degradation and altered dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition. PE aged most rapidly, and the DOM produced differed structurally from that generated under constant conditions.
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