We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effects of microplastics on humification and fungal community during cow manure composting
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how polyethylene, PVC, and biodegradable PHA microplastics affect the composting process of cow manure. They found that all types of microplastics reduced humification quality, decreased fungal community diversity during peak composting temperatures, and some types increased the relative abundance of plant-pathogenic fungi.
The effect of microplastics (MPs) on the biological treatment of organic waste has been extensively studied, but little is known about the influence of different MPs on composting humification and the fungal community. In this study, PE, PVC, and PHA MPs were individually mixed with cow dung and sawdust and then composted. The results showed that different MPs had various influences on humification, and the humic acid to fulvic acid ratio of all MP-added treatments (0.44-0.83) was lower than that of the control (0.91). During the composting process, Ascomycota (26.32-89.14%) and Basidiomycota (0.47-4.78%) are the dominant phyla in all treatments and all microplastics decreased the diversity and richness of the fungal community at the thermophilic stage of composting. Exposure to MPs had an obvious effect on the fungal community at the genus level, and the addition of PHA and PE MPs increased the relative abundance of phytopathogenic fungi. LEfSe and network analysis indicated that MPs reduced the number of biomarkers and led to a simpler and more unstable fungal community structure compared to the control. This study has important implications for assessing microplastic pollution and organic waste disposal.
More Papers Like This
Effect of microplastics on greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions during aerobic composting
AI summary Read the abstract
Adding polyethylene, PVC, or biodegradable PHA microplastics to composting manure altered greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions, with PE and PHA increasing methane and ammonia while PVC reduced them. All three types of microplastics reduced compost quality and nitrogen content, raising concerns about plastic contamination in organic waste recycling.
The degradation performance of different microplastics and their effect on microbial community during composting process
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested whether composting could break down three types of microplastics (polyethylene, PVC, and a biodegradable alternative called PHA) over 60 days. All microplastics showed surface erosion, cracking, and reduced carbon content after composting, though PVC was most resistant to size reduction. The study also found that microplastic contamination reduced the diversity of beneficial bacteria during the composting process, particularly PVC.
Effects of Different Microplastics on Methane Production and Microbial Community Structure in Anaerobic Digestion of Cattle Manure
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested how four types of microplastics affect methane production during anaerobic digestion of cattle manure. They found that polyethylene microplastics increased cumulative methane production by nearly 12% by enriching methane-producing microorganisms, while polyhydroxyalkanoate microplastics inhibited methane production by suppressing key methanogenic communities.
Responses of biogeochemical cycles to polyethylene microplastics exposure during aerobic fermentation of dairy manure
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists studied how tiny plastic particles (microplastics) affect the composting of dairy farm manure, since this manure is often turned into fertilizer for crops. They found that how the composting process is managed, like whether it's covered, matters more than expected in controlling how microplastics disrupt the natural breakdown of nutrients like carbon. This matters because manure fertilizer contaminated with microplastics could eventually affect soil health and the food we grow, so smarter composting methods might help reduce that risk.
Unraveling the Effect of Continuously Accumulating Microplastics on the Humification of Dissolved Organic Matter in the Composting System
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how continuously accumulating polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics affect the humification of dissolved organic matter during composting, finding that microplastic presence altered the structural transformation of organic matter and potentially reduced compost quality.
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.