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Differential impacts of polyethylene microplastic and additives on soil nitrogen cycling: A deeper dive into microbial interactions and transformation mechanisms
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This study tested how polyethylene microplastics, their base resin, and plastic additives each affect nitrogen cycling in soil -- a process essential for plant growth. All three altered the soil's nitrogen balance and microbial communities in different ways, with microplastics increasing certain nitrogen transformation rates the most. These findings matter because disrupted nitrogen cycling in farmland could affect crop nutrition and ultimately the quality of food humans eat.
The impact of microplastics and their additives on soil nutrient cycling, particularly through microbial mechanisms, remains underexplored. This study investigated the effects of polyethylene microplastics, polyethylene resin, and plastic additives on soil nitrogen content, physicochemical properties, nitrogen cycling functional genes, microbial composition, and nitrogen transformation rates. Results showed that all amendments increased total nitrogen but decreased dissolved total nitrogen. Polyethylene microplastics and additives increased dissolved organic nitrogen, while polyethylene resin reduced it and exhibited higher microbial biomass. Amendments reduced or did not change inorganic nitrogen levels, with additives showing the lowest values. Polyethylene resin favored microbial nitrogen immobilization, while additives were more inhibitory. Amendment type and content significantly interacted with nitrogen cycling genes and microbial composition. Distinct functional microbial biomarkers and network structures were identified for different amendments. Polyethylene microplastics had higher gross ammonification, nitrification, and immobilization rates, followed by polyethylene resin and additives. Nitrogen transformation was driven by multiple functional genes, with Proteobacteria playing a significant role. Soil physicochemical properties affected nitrogen content through transformation rates, with C/N ratio having an indirect effect and water holding capacity directly impacting it. In summary, plastic additives, compared to polyethylene microplastics and resin, are less conducive to nitrogen degradation and microbial immobilization, exert significant effects on microbial community structure, inhibit transformation rates, and ultimately impact nitrogen cycling.
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Polyethylene microplastic and soil nitrogen dynamics: Unraveling the links between functional genes, microbial communities, and transformation processes
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Researchers conducted a six-month experiment to understand how polyethylene microplastics in soil affect nitrogen cycling, a process critical for soil fertility and plant nutrition. They found that while total nitrogen levels stayed stable, microplastics significantly altered the forms of nitrogen present by increasing ammonium and nitrate while decreasing dissolved organic nitrogen. The study suggests that microplastics reshape soil microbial communities and their nitrogen-processing activities, potentially disrupting the natural nutrient balance in agricultural soils.
Polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride microplastics promote soil nitrification and alter the composition of key nitrogen functional bacterial groups
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Researchers found that polyethylene and PVC microplastics in soil increased nitrification (a key step in the nitrogen cycle) and changed the composition of nitrogen-processing bacteria. These changes could affect soil fertility and the availability of nutrients for crops. The study highlights how microplastic contamination in agricultural soil may have hidden effects on food production by altering fundamental soil processes.
LDPE microplastics affect soil microbial communities and nitrogen cycling
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Researchers found that adding polyethylene microplastics to soil changed the bacterial communities and disrupted the nitrogen cycle, which is essential for soil fertility and plant growth. Microplastics increased the activity of certain nitrogen-processing genes while decreasing others, shifting the balance of nutrient cycling. These changes in soil function could ultimately affect crop health and the quality of food grown in microplastic-contaminated agricultural land.
Key factors and mechanisms of microplastics’ effects on soil nitrogen transformation: A review
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This review systematically analyzed how microplastics affect nitrogen transformation processes in soil. Researchers found that the size, shape, concentration, and polymer type of microplastics all influence soil nitrogen cycling through changes to microbial communities, soil structure, and enzyme activity. The study identifies key knowledge gaps and recommends standardized research approaches to better predict how microplastic pollution will alter soil nutrient dynamics.
Distinct influence of conventional and biodegradable microplastics on microbe-driving nitrogen cycling processes in soils and plastispheres as evaluated by metagenomic analysis
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Researchers compared how conventional polyethylene and biodegradable microplastics affect nitrogen cycling by soil microbes. They found that biodegradable microplastics caused stronger changes to microbial communities and nitrogen processing pathways than conventional plastics, particularly by enriching certain bacteria on their surfaces. The study suggests that even biodegradable plastic mulch alternatives may significantly alter soil nutrient cycling in agricultural settings.
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