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Effect of microplastics on CO2 emission from Yellow River Delta wetland
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Researchers found that microplastic contamination in Yellow River Delta wetland soils altered CO2 emissions, with different polymer types and concentrations producing varying effects on soil carbon dynamics — raising concern that plastic pollution could undermine the carbon sequestration function of coastal wetlands.
Abstract As natural carbon sinks, coastal wetlands are of great significance to alleviate global climate change. However, due to environmental pollution, the soil carbon sequestration capacity of coastal wetlands is decreasing, and then the emission of CO 2 is accelerated. The Yellow River Delta is one of the largest deltas in China. Economic development and human activities have led to the input of large quantities of microplastics. Microplastics can alter soil properties, causing the emission of CO 2 to be affected. However, the impact of common microplastics in coastal wetlands on CO 2 generation and emission is not clear. In this study, tread particles (TP) and polypropylene (PP) particles were applied to coastal wetland soil to study their effects on greenhouse gas CO 2 emissions. The results showed that the cumulative emission of CO 2 increased by 32.7% - 49.5% and 13.9% - 24.6% respectively compared with CK 14 days after the addition of TP and PP. The promoting effect of TP was stronger than that of PP. The results provided theoretical and basic data support for the evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions and atmospheric environmental effects of Yellow River Delta wetlands under microplastics pollution.
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