We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics Affect Sediment Phosphorus Transformation: Based on the Interplay of Bioturbation and Microbial Regulation
Summary
This study investigated how microplastics (polypropylene, polystyrene, and polylactic acid) affect phosphorus cycling in river sediments, finding that MP contamination altered the distribution of phosphorus fractions and that bioturbation by benthic animals changed how MPs interacted with nutrient transformation processes.
Anthropogenic activities frequently cause the accumulation of phosphorus (P) and microplastics (MPs) in river sediments. MP contamination can alter the transformations of sediment phosphorus, thereby elevating the risks of river eutrophication and impeding ecosystem health. Notably, the environmental behavior of MPs can be changed by benthic animals. Nevertheless, it is still unclear how bioturbation affects the interaction of MPs and P transformation. This study investigated the impact mechanism of typical MPs (polypropylene, polystyrene, and polylactic acid) on sediment P fractions in the presence of benthic animals ( Branchiura sowerbyi ). The results revealed that MP accumulation increased inorganic P contents (5.98% to 9.08%) and decreased organic P contents (22.57% to 70.72%), promoting organic P mineralization in sediments. The decrease in labile P (total P extracted from water) content and the increase in total dissolved P concentration indicated that MP accumulation accelerated the release of labile P from sediments into overlying water. Bioturbation aggravated the aging degree of MPs and further strengthened the effects of MP accumulation on P transformation. A mathematical model verified that MP characteristics (types and aging degree of MPs) affected the biomarkers of phoD -encoding bacteria, which indirectly altered P fractions in sediments by regulating the generation of alkaline phosphatase. The study demonstrated the microbial mechanism of P fraction transformation mediated by MPs and bioturbation in sediments, providing information for river eutrophication control and ecological risk management.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Effects of microplastics on nitrogen and phosphorus cycles and microbial communities in sediments
Researchers found that PVC, PLA, and polypropylene microplastics altered nitrogen and phosphorus cycling in freshwater sediments by shifting microbial community composition, with effects varying by polymer type and biodegradability.
Distribution of microplastics in river sediments and consequences on bioturbation associated ecosystem processes
This thesis investigates the distribution of microplastics in freshwater river sediments and their effects on bioturbation processes that drive nutrient cycling, finding that microplastics disrupt the ecosystem functions performed by sediment-dwelling organisms. The work addresses a gap in standardized sampling methods and demonstrates that microplastic contamination can impair river ecosystem health beyond direct toxicity to individual organisms.
New insights into changes in phosphorus profile at sediment-water interface by microplastics: Role of benthic bioturbation
The study examined how different types of microplastics affect phosphorus cycling at the sediment-water interface through their impacts on burrowing chironomid larvae. Researchers found that both bio-based and fossil fuel-based microplastics altered the larvae's biochemical responses and disrupted phosphorus profiles, suggesting microplastics can indirectly affect nutrient dynamics in freshwater ecosystems.
Varied influence of aged microplastics and related leachates on phosphorus transformation and release from the sediments
Researchers investigated how aged microplastics and their chemical leachates affect phosphorus cycling in freshwater sediments, a process linked to harmful algal blooms. They found that different types of weathered plastics and their leachates altered microbial communities and shifted the forms of phosphorus present in sediments. The study suggests that microplastic pollution in lake and river sediments may contribute to nutrient imbalances that worsen water quality problems.
Microplastics alter the microbiota-mediated phosphorus profiles at sediment-water interface: Distinct microbial effects between sediment and plastisphere
This study found that microplastics in lake sediments change how bacteria process phosphorus, a key nutrient in freshwater ecosystems. Both petroleum-based and biodegradable microplastics altered bacterial communities and phosphorus cycling, but in different ways depending on whether bacteria were in the sediment or on the plastic surfaces. These changes could contribute to water quality problems like algal blooms that affect both ecosystems and the drinking water supply.