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The need to focus on plastic in terrestrial environments: Do micro- and nanoplastic affect microorganisms in soil?
Summary
This study used microfluidic chips to test whether micro- and nanoplastic polystyrene particles affect soil microorganisms, finding measurable effects on microbial behavior in simulated soil channels. The results highlight the need for greater research attention on how microplastics affect soil ecosystems, which have received far less study than aquatic environments.
This study aims to investigate if micro- and nanoparticles of polystyrene affect microorganisms in soil. This was tested by using microfluidic chips, which are new for investigation of soil ecology questions, providing artificial channels reflecting soil conditions as well as being transparent for seeing real-time interactions. Eight microfluidic chips were made; four were filled with a micro- and nanoparticle solution with growth medium and a mixture of 26 nm, 200 nm and fluorescing 1 μm plastic particles. The other four chips were filled with growth medium only and served as control chips. Soil was put along the entry of the pillar system of each microfluidic chip, from where the natural microbial community of the soil could enter the chips. The analysis was performed under a bright field/fluorescence microscope within different structures in the chips, counting protozoa, bacteria and fungal hyphae, as well as looking for protozoa and nematodes ingesting or adhering 1 μm fluorescent microparticles. Significant effects were found on two groups of organisms, bacteria and protozoa. Two explanations are possible: The growth of the organisms was hampered, or their dispersal ability from the soil source to the measurement compartments. Protozoa were also counted in the entrance system of the chips, close to the soil source, where no effect of the plastics was found on their abundance. This might indicate that especially protozoa may rather be restricted in their dispersal than their growth by the plastic solution. A high turnover of protozoa near the soil source could also be a reason for no effect on abundance. Protozoa in the micro- and nanoparticle chips contained moving fluorescent 1 μm microparticles, implying ingestion or adherence. Further research should be carried out due to possible consequences like loss of ecosystem services from microorganisms, dispersion in food web as well as dispersion in soil and to groundwater.