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Nanoplastic pollution inhibits stream leaf decomposition through modulating microbial metabolic activity and fungal community structure
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Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics significantly inhibited leaf litter decomposition in freshwater streams, even at low concentrations. The study suggests this occurs through suppression of key microbial enzymes and shifts in fungal community structure, indicating that nanoplastic pollution could disrupt important nutrient cycling processes in freshwater ecosystems.
Many studies have proved the impacts of nanoplastic pollution in freshwaters on aquatic organisms and ecosystems. To explore toxic mechanisms of nanoplastics on stream functioning, we conducted a microcosm experiment to investigate the effects of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NPs, 1-100 μg L) on the process of leaf litter decomposition mediated by the microbial community. The chronic exposure to PS NPs at 1 and 100 μg L caused significant decreases in leaf litter decomposition and nutrient (carbon and nitrogen) releases. During the ecological process, some extracellular enzymes (i.e., β-glucosidase, glycine-aminopeptidase, and phenol oxidase) rather than fungal biomass were suppressed. Besides, decreases in the relative abundance of Anguillospora and Setophaeosphaeria weakened their functions in leaf litter decomposition. Thus, the microcosm experiment showed that PS NPs inhibited stream leaf decomposition by modulating the microbial metabolic activity and fungal community structure. Overall, the results of this study provide evidence for the consequences of nanoplastic pollution on freshwater microbial community and stream ecosystem functioning, which is conducive to evaluate the potential risks of nanoplastics in aquatic environments.
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Researchers found that low concentrations of polystyrene nanoplastics impaired leaf litter decomposition in forested streams by reducing aquatic hyphomycete fungal activity and decreasing food quality for detritivore invertebrates, threatening stream ecosystem function.
Response of a simulated aquatic fungal community to nanoplastics exposure and functional consequence on leaf decomposition
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Researchers exposed a simulated stream fungal community to nano-polystyrene and found that even low concentrations (1–100 µg/L) suppressed fungal reproduction and reduced the abundance of Geotrichum candidum, slowing leaf litter decomposition by up to 27.9% and disrupting a key aquatic nutrient cycling function.
Polystyrene nanoparticles intensify the algae-mediated negative priming effect on leaf litter decomposition
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Researchers showed that polystyrene nanoplastics intensify the natural inhibitory effect of benthic algae on leaf litter decomposition in streams, reducing decomposition rates by 21%, by depleting labile carbon transfer from algae to fungal decomposers and reducing fungal diversity, including key decomposer genera essential for aquatic nutrient cycling.
Effects of microsized and nanosized polystyrene on detrital processing and nutrient dynamics in streams
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Researchers exposed a stream detrital food chain — leaf-decomposing microbes and a river snail — to nano- and microsized polystyrene particles and found that nanosized particles suppressed microbial growth while boosting certain enzymes, whereas microsized particles reduced leaf nitrogen content and snail feeding, indicating distinct ecological disruption pathways depending on particle size.
Effects of nanoplastic exposure routes on leaf decomposition in streams
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Researchers conducted a microcosm experiment showing that dietary exposure to nanoplastics — through eating contaminated leaf litter — more severely disrupts stream food webs than waterborne exposure, reducing microbial enzyme activity, lowering leaf lipid content, and decreasing river snail feeding rates by up to 17%.
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