We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics alter soil enzyme activities and microbial community structure without negatively affecting plant growth in an agroecosystem
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested how three types of microplastics (polystyrene, polyethylene, and PVC) affected plant growth, soil enzymes, and microbial communities in an agricultural setting. The study found that while microplastics suppressed several soil enzyme activities and altered carbon cycling, they did not negatively affect plant growth and in some cases actually enhanced above-ground and below-ground plant productivity.
Despite the enormous benefits that plastics bring to our daily lives, plastics accumulate in the environment, especially microplastics (MPs; defined as particles <5 mm), which can cause many problems and potential loss of ecosystem services. Current research has shown the significant impact of MPs on aquatic systems, but little is known about their effect on terrestrial systems, especially within agroecosystems. Here, we investigated the effect of MPs types (PS, PE and PVC) on plant growth, soil enzyme activities, and microbial communities. MPs had a positive, type-dependent influence on plant growth affecting both above and below-ground productivity. MPs, especially PVC increased dry weights (+69.51 and + 164.62), and root length (+54.81) relative to control. Although the activity of β-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, cellobiohydrolase, leucine-aminopeptidase, and dehydrogenase was suppressed by MPs except urease activity which was enhanced by MPs addition. The type of MPs in soil significantly altered C flow through the soil-plant system, indicating that MPs adversely affect many C-dependent soil functions. However, MPs (especially PVC) enhanced microbial biomass carbon (+14.88%) and altered the structure and metabolic status of the microbial community. MPs addition (especially PVC) greatly enhanced soil microbial structure (+29.59%; indicated by PLFAs) compared to control. Here we provide evidence that MPs can have significant effects on key pools and fluxes within the terrestrial C cycle, with responses being MPs type-dependent. Therefore, we concluded that MPs in soil are not benign and every step should be taken to restrict their access to the soil-plant system and their potential to transfer into the food chain.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics in agricultural soil: Polystyrene fragments inhibit soil microbial and enzymatic activities but promote nutrient concentration of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how polystyrene microplastic fragments in agricultural soil affect both soil health and cowpea plant growth. Researchers found that while microplastics significantly reduced beneficial soil microbial activity and enzyme function, the cowpea plants surprisingly showed increased nutrient concentrations. The findings highlight the complex and sometimes contradictory ways microplastics can influence agricultural ecosystems.
Response of soil enzyme activities and bacterial communities to the accumulation of microplastics in an acid cropped soil
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested how polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride microplastics at different concentrations affect enzyme activity and bacterial communities in acidic agricultural soil. Both types of microplastics reduced the diversity of soil bacteria while stimulating certain enzymes related to nitrogen and phosphorus cycling. The findings suggest that microplastic accumulation in farmland may alter important soil biological processes, potentially affecting nutrient cycling and the breakdown of pollutants.
The effects of three different microplastics on enzyme activities and microbial communities in soil
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers added three types of microplastics (film PE, fiber PP, and sphere PP) to loamy and sandy soils and measured effects on enzyme activities and microbial communities, finding that all three types altered microbial community structure and nutrient-cycling enzyme activities in soil-type-dependent ways.
Assessing Microplastic Contamination Effects on Soil Microbial Communities in Agricultural Land
AI summary Read the abstract
This study sampled agricultural soils with varying degrees of microplastic contamination to assess effects on microbial diversity, abundance, and enzymatic activity, finding that higher microplastic concentrations reduced microbial diversity and suppressed nutrient-cycling enzyme activity.
Polyethylene microplastics distinctly affect soil microbial community and carbon and nitrogen cycling during plant litter decomposition
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured how polyethylene microplastics affect soil microbial communities and carbon cycling in agricultural soils, finding that microplastic addition shifted microbial diversity and suppressed key carbon mineralization processes. The results suggest microplastic accumulation in farmland could impair soil carbon storage.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.