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Microplastic additions alter soil organic matter stability and bacterial community under varying temperature in two contrasting soils
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Researchers found that both polyethylene and biodegradable PLA microplastics increased soil CO2 emissions and dissolved organic carbon, with effects more pronounced at higher temperatures and in organic-rich Black soil, suggesting microplastics destabilize soil organic matter.
Microplastics can accumulate in soils and strongly affect the biogeochemical cycle. Biodegradable plastic films show potential as sustainable alternatives that could reduce microplastic soil contamination and accumulation. However, the effects of traditional and biodegradable microplastics on soil organic matter (SOM) stability are not sufficiently understood, particularly under varying temperatures. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of polyethylene (PE) and biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics on SOM stability and bacterial community in two contrasting soils (Black soil vs. Loess soil) under varying temperature conditions (15 °C vs. 25 °C). Results showed that microplastics addition significantly enhanced cumulative CO emissions and DOC contents, particularly 1 % PLA treatment accelerated CO emissions by 19 % - 74 %, DOC content by 3 % - 23 % at 25 °C. A higher temperature sensitivity (Q) at the PLA treatment indicated that PLA is more susceptible to elevated temperature compared to PE. The presence of both PE and PLA microplastics significantly changed the DOC spectral characteristics, i.e., high temperature increased the value of the specific UV absorbance (SUVA) in soil without microplastics, while decreased it in soil with microplastics. In comparison to soil without microplastics, soil exposed to 1 % microplastics had lower MBC concentrations and greater metabolic quotient. 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the presence of PLA microplastic significantly alters soil bacterial community. PE and CK had similar Bray-Curtis distances between two temperatures, while PLA increased the dissimilarity between CK compared to PE. Compared to the two soils, loess soil is more sensitive to microplastics addition. Microplastics have a non-ignorable effect on soil organic matter stability, the interaction between microplastics and soil environment should be considered.
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