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Unraveling the Effect of Continuously Accumulating Microplastics on the Humification of Dissolved Organic Matter in the Composting System
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This study examined how continuously accumulating polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics affect the humification of dissolved organic matter during composting, finding that microplastic presence altered the structural transformation of organic matter and potentially reduced compost quality.
Microplastics (MPs) accumulation in composting systems has received considerable attention in recent years. However, the ecological risk of MPs on composting environments remains scarcely explored. This study investigated the impact of polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate MPs on the structural evolution of dissolved organic matter (DOM) during composting. The ultraviolet, excitation–emission matrix, and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectroscopy collectively suggested that MPs caused DOM of compost to have lower aromaticity and fewer humic acid-like substances, particularly at the early stage of composting. This inhibition effect of MPs on the aromatization of DOM of compost was proved to result from not only the altered compost characteristics (e.g., lower pH and temperature relative to the control) but also the preferential sorption of specific DOM compositions by MPs. The sorption of DOM by MPs before and after composting showed that the protein-like components and microbial by-product analogues, which were significant substrates for humification, were found to be preferentially sorbed by two MPs and thus were prevented from being directly humified by some microorganisms. The finding would contribute to an in-depth explanation of the mechanisms by which MPs affect compost humification and provide insight into the ecological risks of MPs for composting environments.
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Researchers quantified microplastics in composted organic municipal solid waste from five facilities, finding contamination levels that raise concerns about compost quality and the potential transfer of microplastics to agricultural soils through organic waste recycling.
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Researchers studied how polyethylene, PVC, and biodegradable PHA microplastics affect the composting process of cow manure. They found that all types of microplastics reduced humification quality, decreased fungal community diversity during peak composting temperatures, and some types increased the relative abundance of plant-pathogenic fungi.
The Effect of Polyethylene Terephthalate and Low-density Polyethylene Microplastics in Organic Material on Vermicomposting Process
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Researchers assessed the effects of polyethylene terephthalate and low-density polyethylene microplastics on vermicomposting of organic material, measuring germination index, C/N ratio, worm survival, pH, and electrical conductivity and finding that both MP polymer types impair key composting process indicators.
Compost microbiomes in the plastisphere: microplastic fate and trade-offs in organic waste valorisation
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Researchers reviewed how plastisphere microbiomes colonizing plastics in compost systems can partially degrade or fragment polymers under thermophilic conditions, while conventional plastics persist and potentially shift toward nanoplastics—creating a sustainability paradox where composting reduces organic waste but may simultaneously disseminate microplastics into amended agricultural soils, disrupting soil ecology and plant performance.
Microplastics in compost from municipal solid waste. Assessment of their presence in the products generated with different industrial strategies.
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Microplastics were detected in compost made from municipal solid waste processed using different industrial strategies, raising concerns about the use of compost as a soil amendment. The presence of microplastics in compost could transfer plastic contamination directly to agricultural soils when compost is applied as fertilizer. The findings suggest that composting facilities need better plastic removal processes to prevent microplastic spread through the circular economy.
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