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The impact of microplastics on sulfur REDOX processes in different soil types: A mechanism study
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This study found that polystyrene and polyphenylene sulfide microplastics alter sulfur cycling processes in soil, changing how sulfur is converted between different chemical forms. The effects varied depending on soil type, with the most significant changes in sulfur availability occurring in black soil and paddy soil. Since sulfur is an essential nutrient for crops, microplastic contamination in farmland could subtly affect soil fertility and crop nutrition in ways that are not immediately visible.
Microplastics can potentially affect the physical and chemical properties of soil, as well as soil microbial communities. This could, in turn, influence soil sulfur REDOX processes and the ability of soil to supply sulfur effectively. However, the specific mechanisms driving these effects remain unclear. To explore this, soil microcosm experiments were conducted to assess the impacts of polystyrene (PS) and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) microplastics on sulfur reduction-oxidation (REDOX) processes in black, meadow, and paddy soils. The findings revealed that PS and PPS most significantly decreased SO in black soil by 9.4%, elevated SO in meadow soil by 20.8%, and increased S in paddy soil by 20.5%. PS and PPS microplastics impacted the oxidation process of sulfur in soil by influencing the activity of sulfur dioxygenase, which was mediated by α-proteobacteria and γ-proteobacteria, and the oxidation process was negatively influenced by soil organic matter. PS and PPS microplastics impacted the reduction process of sulfur in soil by influencing the activity of adenosine-5'-phosphosulfate reductase, sulfite reductase, which was mediated by Desulfuromonadales and Desulfarculales, and the reduction process was positively influenced by soil organic matter. In addition to their impacts on microorganisms, it was found that PP and PPS microplastics directly influenced the structure of soil enzymes, leading to alterations in soil enzyme activity. This study sheds light on the mechanisms by which microplastics impact soil sulfur REDOX processes, providing valuable insights into how microplastics influence soil health and functioning, which is essential for optimizing crop growth and maximizing yield in future agricultural practices.
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