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Microplastics from biodegradable mulching films affect soil physicochemical properties and earthworm reproduction, but not microarthropod communities
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Researchers conducted a 13-week mesocosm study examining the effects of biodegradable mulching film microplastics on soil properties and invertebrate communities. They found that even low concentrations (0.025%) significantly altered soil pH and aggregate structure, and earthworm reproduction was reduced at higher concentrations, while springtail communities showed no measurable differences between treatments.
Agricultural mulching films represent a major source of microplastics (MPs; defined as particles 1 μm-5 mm in size) in soils. With a projected exponential increase of the global use of agricultural mulching films, concentrations of MPs in soil are bound to increase. Short-term single species toxicity tests using mulching film-based MPs showed effects on soil invertebrates at high concentrations, up to 5 % ( w /w dry soil), as well as on soil physicochemical properties. This study aimed to provide insight into the long-term effects of mulching film-based MPs by simulating an agricultural growing season in a highly controlled mesocosm system called CLIMECS. Eight replicate constructed cores of Lufa 2.2 soil spiked with 0 % (control), 0.025 %, 0.05 %, 0.2 % or 0.8 % starch-polybutadiene adipate terephthalate MPs received a constant springtail community ( Heteromurus nitidus, Protaphorura fimata and Sinella curviseta ), two species of earthworm ( Aporrectodea caliginosa and Lumbricus rubellus ), cress ( Lepidium sativum ) as vegetation cover, and lettuce ( Lactuca sativa ) as a crop. After 13 weeks incubation, soil pH and smaller soil aggregate fractions were significantly decreased already at the lowest exposure concentration of 0.025 % MPs compared to the control ( p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). Springtail community composition did not show differences between treatments. Earthworm survival was not affected by the MPs, but total earthworm reproduction was lower at 0.2 % and 0.8 % MPs compared to the 0.05 % treatment. This study showed that MPs derived from biodegradable mulching film plastics may affect soil physicochemical properties and earthworm reproduction at environmentally relevant concentrations. • A mesocosm study was conducted to assess the effects of biodegradable microplastics. • Microplastics were successfully recovered and quantified from the soil after 13 weeks. • Starch-PBAT blend microplastics from mulching films affect soil pH and aggregation. • The tested microplastics did not affect Collembola community composition. • Earthworm survival was not affected, but total reproduction was reduced.
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Microplastics from biodegradable mulching films affect soil physicochemical properties and earthworm reproduction, but not microarthropod communities
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Researchers studied the long-term effects of biodegradable mulching film microplastics on soil properties and soil organisms in a 13-week controlled mesocosm experiment. The study found that even the lowest concentration of microplastics (0.025%) significantly altered soil pH and aggregate structure, and higher concentrations reduced earthworm reproduction. However, springtail communities were not affected, suggesting different soil organisms have varying sensitivity to biodegradable microplastics.
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This study tested microplastics from real agricultural mulching films, both conventional polyethylene and biodegradable types, on small soil worms over multiple generations. Even biodegradable film microplastics reduced worm reproduction and altered soil properties like pH and water-holding capacity. The results show that microplastics from agricultural plastics, including supposedly eco-friendly alternatives, can harm soil organisms and threaten long-term soil health and food production.
Sublethal effects of microplastics sourced from polypropylene agricultural plastics on four soil invertebrate species
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Four soil invertebrate species were exposed to microplastics from polypropylene agricultural mulch at 0.005–5% concentrations in soil, finding reduced reproduction in enchytraeids and collembola and altered burrowing behavior in earthworms and isopods at higher doses.
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Scientists compared how conventional polyethylene and biodegradable PLA/PBAT microplastics affect earthworms and springtails in soil over 28 days. Neither plastic type significantly harmed reproduction, but subtle cellular stress responses were detected, and the effects were similar for both conventional and biodegradable plastics, suggesting that biodegradable alternatives may not be safer for soil organisms.
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