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Characteristics of microplastics and their effects on phthalates and microbial activity in greenhouse soil after long-term planting
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Long-term greenhouse vegetable cultivation using plastic mulch resulted in accumulation of microplastics in soil, which altered microbial activity and phthalate levels in ways that changed with the number of planting years.
As an exogenous pollutant, the microplastics accumulated in soil could alter microbial activity. The use of plastic mulch in greenhouse vegetable planting not only enhances vegetable yield and quality, but also leads to the formation and accumulation of microplastics in the soil over time. It is essential to determine the characteristics of microplastics and microorganisms in soils with varying years of planting is crucial for ensuring vegetable quality and quantity. Therefore, this study investigated the abundance and particle size of microplastics, the concentration of phthalates (PAEs), and the dynamics of soil microbial activity in greenhouse soils with different planting years (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years). Results showed that microplastics increased in abundance, particle size, and PAEs concentration as planting years progressed. Specifically, the abundance of microplastics rose from 70.0±8.7 to 224.0±10.4 items/kg, with the proportion of microplastics sized 0-2 mm increasing from 14.02 to 69.11%, and the total PAEs concentration in the soil escalating from 0.31 to 1.89 mg/kg. Additionally, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria levels increased, correlating with organic matter degradation. Metabolic pathway linked to degradation were enriched according to KEGG analysis. Correlation analysis revealed that microplastics notably decreased soil pH, creating an acidic environment that boosted urease activity and the relative abundance of Nitrospirae. This study sheds light on the accumulation characteristics of microplastics and their impact on soil microbial activity following prolonged planting.
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This study quantified microplastic accumulation in greenhouse soils under different durations of plastic mulching, finding that longer mulching periods significantly increased MP concentrations in both topsoil and subsoil. Soil physicochemical properties were associated with MP contamination levels, suggesting soil type and organic matter influence MP retention.
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A study of agricultural soils from facility greenhouses and open fields in two Chinese vegetable-growing regions found MP concentrations of 380–3,786 pieces/kg and phthalate ester (PAE) levels of 0.30–1.58 mg/kg, with greenhouse soils significantly higher in MPs but not consistently in PAEs.
Vertical distributions of microplastics in long-term mulched soils and their potential impacts on soil properties and microbial diversity
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Microplastic concentrations were measured at different depths in agricultural soils that had been mulched with plastic film over many years, finding vertical stratification with higher concentrations near the surface. Long-term plastic mulching leads to progressive accumulation of microplastics throughout the soil profile.
[Occurrence and Characteristics of Macro/Micro-plastics and Phthalates in Soils Under Different Plastic Film Mulching].
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Researchers assessed residual characteristics of macroplastics, microplastics, and phthalate plasticizers in agricultural soils under different plastic film mulching treatments over a three-year field experiment, comparing traditional PE film with three types of biodegradable mulch and a no-mulch control. The study examined whether biodegradable film substitution effectively reduces soil plastic and PAE residual pollution.
Changes in Soil Properties Under the Influence of Microplastics in Plastic and Open Field Production in Three Serbian Valleys
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Researchers examined soil physical, chemical, and biological properties in greenhouse and open-field soils across three Serbian valleys to test whether mulch film use leads to microplastic accumulation and soil alteration. Greenhouse soils showed elevated MP concentrations that correlated with changes in chemical and biological parameters, supporting the hypothesis that repeated plastic mulch use degrades soil quality.
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