We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effects of polyethylene microplastics on the gut microbial community, reproduction and avoidance behaviors of the soil springtail, Folsomia candida
AI summary Read the abstract
Soil springtails (Folsomia candida) were exposed to polyethylene microplastics at 0.1–1% concentrations for 28 days, showing avoidance behavior at 0.5% and above, and reproduction inhibited at 0.1% with a 70.2% reduction at the highest concentration, along with altered gut microbial communities. The study demonstrates significant sub-lethal effects of microplastics on a key soil invertebrate involved in decomposition processes.
Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging contaminant and are confirmed to be ubiquitous in the environment. Adverse effects of MPs on aquatic organisms have been widely studied, whereas little research has focused on soil invertebrates. We exposed the soil springtail Folsomia candida to artificial soils contaminated with polyethylene MPs (<500 μm) for 28 d to explore the effects of MPs on avoidance, reproduction, and gut microbiota. Springtails exhibited avoidance behaviors at 0.5% and 1% MPs (w/w in dry soil), and the avoidance rate was 59% and 69%, respectively. Reproduction was inhibited when the concentration of MPs reached 0.1% and was reduced by 70.2% at the highest concentration of 1% MPs compared to control. The half-maximal effective concentration (EC) value based on reproduction for F. candida was 0.29% MPs. At concentrations of 0.5% dry weight in the soil, MPs significantly altered the microbial community and decreased bacterial diversity in the springtail gut. Specifically, the relative abundance of Wolbachia significantly decreased while the relative abundance of Bradyrhizobiaceae, Ensifer and Stenotrophomonas significantly increased. Our results demonstrated that MPs exerted a significant toxic effect on springtails and can change their gut microbial community. This can provide useful information for risk assessment of MPs in terrestrial ecosystems.
More Papers Like This
Identification and quantification of macro- and microplastics on an agricultural farmland
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined how polystyrene microplastics affect the soil-dwelling springtail Folsomia candida and found that exposure altered gut microbiota composition and reduced reproductive output. The microplastics disrupted the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut of these important soil organisms. The study suggests that microplastic contamination in soils could have broader consequences for soil health by affecting the organisms that help maintain ecosystem functions like nutrient cycling.
Sublethal effects of microplastics sourced from polypropylene agricultural plastics on four soil invertebrate species
AI summary Read the abstract
Four soil invertebrate species were exposed to microplastics from polypropylene agricultural mulch at 0.005–5% concentrations in soil, finding reduced reproduction in enchytraeids and collembola and altered burrowing behavior in earthworms and isopods at higher doses.
Edible size of polyethylene microplastics and their effects on springtail behavior
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists determined which sizes of polyethylene microplastics can be ingested by soil springtails, finding a specific edible size range and showing that ingestion of microplastics within that range altered springtail burrowing and jumping behavior.
Survival and reproduction effects of microplastics from three agricultural mulching films on Folsomia candida, Sinella curviseta, Heteromurus nitidus and Ceratophysella denticulata (Collembola)
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists tested whether microplastics from three types of agricultural plastic films affect the survival and reproduction of four species of springtails, tiny soil-dwelling arthropods. Across all plastic types, including biodegradable starch-blend films and conventional polyethylene, no dose-dependent harmful effects were observed even at the highest concentrations tested. The results suggest that these agricultural microplastics may pose limited direct toxicity risk to springtail populations in soil.
Soil microplastics inhibit the movement of springtail species
AI summary Read the abstract
This study found that soil microplastics impeded the movement of springtail species in laboratory experiments, with effects dependent on plastic particle size and concentration, suggesting potential ecological consequences for soil-dwelling invertebrates.
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.