We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Short-term effects of polyethene and polypropylene microplastics on soil phosphorus and nitrogen availability
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined the short-term effects of polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics on soil nutrient cycling, finding that these particles can alter the availability of phosphorus and nitrogen depending on microplastic size and fertilization conditions.
Microplastics are an emerging threat to soils, but little is known about their effects on soil nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycling. In this study, a three-month soil incubation experiment has been conducted to analyze the effects of polyethene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) microplastics in sizes of 0-1 mm and 1-5 mm on soil available phosphate, nitrate, and ammonium contents under different fertilization regimes. Soil phosphorus and nitrogen availability were continuously determined in-situ by ion-exchange membrane method during the incubation. Microplastic surface chemical composition and the specific surface area were analyzed by FTIR and BET, respectively. The 16s rRNA sequencing of soil bacterial communities as well as soil pH have been determined after the incubation. The results showed that the presence of microplastics could significantly (P < 0.05) decrease soil available phosphate content from 122.61 mg P L to 63.43 mg P L. The addition of PP microplastics could significantly increase soil available ammonium content from 0.94 mg N L to 1.53 mg N L. Since microplastics had undetectable specific surface area and limited effects on soil microorganisms, adsorption and microorganism alteration functions might not be the main drivers of microplastic effects on soil phosphorus and nitrogen.
More Papers Like This
Impact of Microplastic Contamination on Phosphorus Availability, Alkaline Phosphatase Activity, and Polymer Degradation in Soil
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how different types of microplastics at various concentrations affect phosphorus availability and enzyme activity in soil. They found that microplastics altered phosphorus cycling both by directly supplying phosphorus in some cases and by changing microbial enzyme function. The study suggests that microplastic contamination could disrupt soil nutrient dynamics important for maintaining agricultural productivity.
Effects of microplastic properties and dissolved organic matter on phosphorus availability in soil and aqueous mediums
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how different types of microplastics from agricultural mulching films affect phosphorus availability in soil and water. They found that both conventional plastics like polyethylene and biodegradable plastics like polylactic acid significantly reduced available phosphorus in soil, with smaller and more concentrated particles causing the greatest reductions. The study suggests that microplastic accumulation in agricultural soils may impair nutrient availability for crops.
Microplastics change the leaching of nitrogen and potassium in Mollisols
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polyethylene microplastics at varying concentrations and sizes altered the leaching of nitrogen and potassium in agricultural Mollisols, with effects depending on microplastic size and concentration thresholds, raising concerns about nutrient cycling disruption in plastic-contaminated farmland soils.
Discrepant effects of microplastics on soil phosphorus availability under different phosphorus fertilizer applications
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how polyethylene and polylactic acid microplastics interact with different types of phosphorus fertilizers in soil over 56 days. They found that microplastics reduced the amount of plant-available phosphorus in organically fertilized soils by up to 29%, while increasing it in soils treated with mineral fertilizer. The findings suggest that microplastic contamination in farmland could alter how effectively crops access essential nutrients depending on the fertilizer type used.
Polyethylene microplastic and soil nitrogen dynamics: Unraveling the links between functional genes, microbial communities, and transformation processes
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted a six-month experiment to understand how polyethylene microplastics in soil affect nitrogen cycling, a process critical for soil fertility and plant nutrition. They found that while total nitrogen levels stayed stable, microplastics significantly altered the forms of nitrogen present by increasing ammonium and nitrate while decreasing dissolved organic nitrogen. The study suggests that microplastics reshape soil microbial communities and their nitrogen-processing activities, potentially disrupting the natural nutrient balance in agricultural soils.
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.