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Effects of microplastics on carbon and nitrogen cycling in coastal wetlands: A critical meta-analysis

Regional Studies in Marine Science 2026
Feng Yuan, Hongyu Chen, Yue Xue, Yongcheng Ding, Qiujun An, ZHIAN HU, Yifei Qiu, Jianguo Tao, Jin Luo, Guanghe Fu, Teng Wang, Xinqing Zou

Summary

This meta-analysis of over 1,000 data points from 34 studies found that microplastics significantly altered certain carbon and nitrogen cycling indicators in coastal wetlands under laboratory conditions, but tidal simulation experiments more representative of real environments showed no significant effects. The findings caution against over-interpreting lab results and highlight that tidal dynamics and vegetation factors are often missing from experimental designs.

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