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Soil and earthworm-derived enzymatic activities in soil microcosms following addition of a N- and P-enriched polysaccharide-based vs a conventional starch-based mulching film
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This soil microcosm study evaluated the short-term impacts of an innovative N- and P-enriched carboxymethylcellulose/sodium alginate/chitosan-based biodegradable mulch film compared to conventional starch-based Mater-Bi film, with and without earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris), on soil physical, chemical, and enzymatic properties over 30 days. While mulching films alone did not significantly alter soil enzymatic activities, their combination with earthworms markedly increased nutrient-cycling enzymes, and earthworms exposed to all film types showed oxidative stress including glutathione oxidation and carboxylesterase inhibition, suggesting carboxylesterase as a suitable biomarker for film impact on earthworms.
Bio-based mulching films are gaining increasing attention in contemporary agriculture as feasible and environmentally friendly alternatives to polyethylene films whose use causes the undesirable release of plastic debris into the environment, thus contributing to pollution and negatively affecting soil quality. Being a source of readily available C, following soil incorporation bio-based mulches can stimulate the biological activity and benefit soil fertility and health. This work aims to evaluate short-term impacts of an innovative N- and P-enriched carboxymethylcellulose, sodium alginate and chitosan-based biodegradable mulch film on physical (aggregate stability index), chemical (pH, electrical conductivity, total organic C, total N, P-Olsen, water soluble anions) and enzymatic soil activities using soil microcosms added or not with an epigeic earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris L.) over a 30-d incubation period. Mater-Bi was used as reference. Analysis of earthworm casts, tissues, digestive enzymes and oxidative stress biomarkers was also included since earthworms can play a role both as indicators of pollution and as drivers of bio-based mulch degradation with their borrowing lifestyle and release of hydrolytic enzymes. The C/N ratio of incorporated mulches differently primed C mineralization. Mulching films addition did not significantly alter soil enzymatic activities, whereas their combination with earthworms markedly those activities involved in nutrient-cycling. Earthworms exposed to all types of films showed oxidative stress, evidenced by increased glutathione oxidation and carboxylesterase inhibition. This work suggests that biodegradable films can replace conventional plastic films in a more environmentally sustainable way, but their environmental effects still disturb soil biological activity and earthworm activity. Moreover, this study showed that carboxylesterase could be an appropriate biomarker to study the effects of mulching films on earthworms.
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Reproduction, growth and oxidative stress in earthworm Eisenia andrei exposed to conventional and biodegradable mulching film microplastics
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Earthworms exposed to microplastics from both conventional polyethylene and biodegradable PBAT mulch films showed signs of oxidative stress, though reproduction was not significantly affected. The biodegradable microplastics actually stimulated growth at lower concentrations but caused stress at higher levels, similar to conventional plastics. Since earthworms are essential for soil health, these effects could have broader consequences for agricultural ecosystems where plastic mulch films are widely used.
Biodegradable plastic films as eco‐sustainable alternative to polyethylene films: Effects on soil multifunctionality
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Researchers compared the short-term effects of conventional polyethylene and biodegradable plastic mulch films on soil quality and ecological functions in both field and mesocosm experiments. While both films altered specific soil properties — polyethylene boosted carbon storage and biodegradable film doubled glucosidase enzyme activity — neither produced significant overall changes in soil multifunctionality after six months, suggesting short-term impacts may be modest.
Microplastics from biodegradable mulching films affect soil physicochemical properties and earthworm reproduction, but not microarthropod communities
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Researchers studied the long-term effects of biodegradable mulching film microplastics on soil properties and soil organisms in a 13-week controlled mesocosm experiment. The study found that even the lowest concentration of microplastics (0.025%) significantly altered soil pH and aggregate structure, and higher concentrations reduced earthworm reproduction. However, springtail communities were not affected, suggesting different soil organisms have varying sensitivity to biodegradable microplastics.
Effects of a mixture of mulching film microplastics on soil properties, microbial activities, and plants in terrestrial mesocosms with and without earthworms
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Researchers assessed the effects of a mixture of conventional polyethylene and biodegradable PBAT mulching film microplastics on soil ecosystems using terrestrial mesocosms. The study found that microplastics increased soil compaction and stimulated microbial respiration while reducing nitrogen cycling, and although plant growth appeared unaffected, biochemical analysis revealed oxidative stress responses in lettuce at the molecular level.
Microplastics from biodegradable mulching films affect soil physicochemical properties and earthworm reproduction, but not microarthropod communities
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Researchers conducted a 13-week mesocosm study examining the effects of biodegradable mulching film microplastics on soil properties and invertebrate communities. They found that even low concentrations (0.025%) significantly altered soil pH and aggregate structure, and earthworm reproduction was reduced at higher concentrations, while springtail communities showed no measurable differences between treatments.
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