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Metal Release from Microplastics to Soil: Effects on Soil Enzymatic Activities and Spinach Production
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This study assessed how metals released from biodegradable and polyethylene microplastics affect soil enzyme activity and spinach growth, finding that metal release from both plastic types reduced soil enzymatic function and spinach yield at higher concentrations.
Microplastics (MPs) represent emergent pollutants in terrestrial ecosystems. Microplastics can cause the release of metal and damage to crop quality. The present research aimed to evaluate the effects of Mater-bi (Bio-MPs) and polyethylene (PE-MPs) MPs at different concentrations on soil properties and on the growth of Spinacia oleracea L. Plants were grown in 30 pots filled with soil mixed with 0.5, 1 and 2% d.w. of Bio-MPs and PE-MPs and in 5 pots filled only with soil, considered as controls (K). At the end of the vegetative cycle, the spinach plants were evaluated for the epigeal (EPI) and hypogeal (HYPO) biomasses and the ratio of HYPO/EPI was calculated. In the soil, the total and the available fractions of Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb and the hydrolase (HA), β-glucosidase (β-glu), dehydrogenase (DHA) and urease (U) activities were evaluated. The results revealed that the addition of Bio-MPs increased soil total Cr, Cu and Pb and available Cu concentrations, and the addition of PE-MPs increased Pb availability. In soil contaminated by both Bio-MPs and PE-MPs, HA and β-glu activities were stimulated, whereas DHA activity was reduced. The HYPO and HYPO/EPI biomasses were reduced only in soils contaminated by the 2% Bio-MPs.
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A pot experiment tested how different microplastic polymers (LDPE, PBAT, starch-based) and copper co-contamination affected spinach grown in two soil types, finding that microplastic effects on plant growth and copper uptake varied significantly by polymer type and soil characteristics.
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This review summarizes existing research on how microplastics and heavy metals co-occur in farm soils. It finds microplastics can bind or release metals depending on soil acidity, organic matter, and plastic aging, affecting soil microbes, enzymes, and plant growth, with most evidence from lab studies rather than real fields.
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