We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microbial Ecology of the Plastisphere in Soil Plant Uptake
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined the microbial ecology of the plastisphere in soil environments and its role in plant uptake, finding that microplastic-associated microbial communities alter soil health and can facilitate transfer of plastic particles and associated contaminants into plant tissues.
Within the last few years, there has been growing research and increasing knowledge of the plastisphere. This is due to its impact on soil organisms, plants and by extension, humans. In this chapter, the introduction of microplastics into the soil, as well the uptake...
More Papers Like This
Exploring the blindspot: The soil plastisphere
AI summary Read the abstract
This commentary reviews the emerging concept of the soil plastisphere — the unique microbial ecosystem colonizing plastic debris in soil — highlighting key differences from the better-studied marine plastisphere in microbial communities, biogeochemical cycles, and ecological effects. Understanding soil plastisphere dynamics is critical because these plastic-associated microbes may alter nutrient cycling, spread antibiotic resistance, and change how toxic chemicals move through agricultural and natural soils.
Plastisphere and Soil Biodiversity
AI summary Read the abstract
This chapter reviews how discarded plastics accumulate in soil ecosystems and give rise to a distinct microbial community called the plastisphere, altering soil biodiversity and ecological function. The plastisphere can harbor novel microbial assemblages including potential pathogens and antibiotic-resistant organisms, meaning plastic soil pollution has implications beyond chemical toxicity for human and ecosystem health.
Microplastics in Soil-Plant Systems
AI summary Read the abstract
This review synthesized evidence on microplastic contamination in terrestrial soil-plant systems, examining effects on soil structure, nutrient cycling, microbial communities, and plant uptake of plastic particles. Because plants can absorb microplastics and translocate them into edible tissue, agricultural soil contamination represents a direct and underappreciated pathway of human dietary exposure to plastic particles.
Microplastic Alters Rhizosphere Microbiome: A Review
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers review how microplastic accumulation in soil disrupts the rhizosphere microbiome — the community of beneficial microorganisms surrounding plant roots — impairing nutrient uptake and pathogen resistance in ways that could threaten agricultural productivity and soil ecosystem health.
Microplastic accumulation in agricultural soils – Impacts on crop microbiomes and soil health
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers review how microplastics from mulch films, sewage sludge, and wastewater accumulate in agricultural soils, disrupting microbial communities, reducing enzyme activity essential for nutrient cycling, and accumulating in crop tissues, raising food safety concerns and highlighting the need for biodegradable alternatives and better wastewater treatment.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.