Papers

Nanoplastic toxicity induces metabolic shifts in Populus × euramericana cv. '74/76' revealed by multi-omics analysis

Researchers used transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling to show that polystyrene nanoplastics accumulate in poplar tree roots, penetrate chloroplasts in leaves causing photosynthesis disruption, and trigger a metabolic shift from normal growth to defensive flavonoid production under severe exposure conditions.

Responses of Physiological, Morphological and Anatomical Traits to Abiotic Stress in Woody Plants

This review examines how trees and woody plants respond to environmental stresses including drought, flooding, extreme temperatures, heavy metals, and microplastics. Microplastics in soil can disrupt water transport and nutrient uptake in trees, potentially affecting forest health and the broader ecosystem. The effects of combined stresses, such as microplastics plus drought, are not simply additive and need further study.

Vertical microplastic distribution in sediments of Fuhe River estuary to Baiyangdian Wetland in Northern China

Researchers studied how microplastics are distributed at different depths in river sediments near a major wetland in northern China, where treated wastewater is a primary water source. They found that microplastic concentrations were highest in the top layer of sediment and decreased with depth, with polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common types. The spatial distribution was closely linked to nearby human activities, with more contaminated areas found near population centers.

A critical review on interaction of microplastics with organic contaminants in soil and their ecological risks on soil organisms

This review examines how microplastics interact with organic pollutants in soil, including pesticides and industrial chemicals, and the combined risks they pose to soil ecosystems. Researchers found that microplastics can adsorb organic contaminants through various mechanisms and alter their movement, breakdown, and toxicity in soil. The combined effects on soil animals, plants, and microorganisms can be either synergistic or antagonistic, making risk assessment more complex than studying either pollutant alone.

Impacts of Micro(nano)plastics on Terrestrial Plants: Germination, Growth, and Litter

This review examines how micro and nanoplastics affect every stage of a plant's life cycle, from seed germination to growth to decomposition of dead plant material. The tiny plastic particles can physically block nutrient and water channels in plants, disrupt photosynthesis, and alter gene expression, with smaller nanoplastics generally causing more harm. These effects on plants are relevant to human health because they could reduce crop yields and allow microplastics to enter the food supply through contaminated produce.

Effect of Polystyrene Microplastics on Rice Seed Germination and Antioxidant Enzyme Activity

Researchers tested how different concentrations of polystyrene microplastics affect rice seed germination, root growth, and antioxidant enzyme activity. They found that at higher concentrations, the microplastics inhibited root growth and triggered oxidative stress responses in the seedlings. The study indicates that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils could interfere with early crop development, potentially affecting food production.

Enzymatic degradation of synthetic plastics by hydrolases/oxidoreductases

Strong binding between nanoplastic and bacterial proteins facilitates protein corona formation and reduces nanoplastics toxicity

Researchers demonstrated that bacteria-derived proteins adsorb strongly onto nanoplastic surfaces to form a 'protein corona,' altering nanoplastic morphology and reducing their toxicity to bacterial cells — with the degree of protection varying by surface chemistry, as amino-modified nanoplastics showed the greatest reduction in oxidative damage after corona formation.

Drivers of soil microplastic contamination and machine learning-based abundance standardization: A global meta-analysis

This global meta-analysis of 1,247 monitoring datasets found that methodological factors account for over half (51.75%) of the variation in reported soil microplastic abundance, while land use type drives much of the remaining variation. Machine learning-based standardization revealed that agricultural soils had the highest contamination, underscoring the pathway from plastic-polluted soil to food crops.

A Review on Eurasian Otters in Urban Areas: Principles for the Enhancement of Biodiversity

This review proposes using the Eurasian otter as a focal species for urban stream restoration, since these apex predators influence biodiversity across all levels of the food web. The authors outline six principles for otter-friendly urban habitat design, including improving water quality and reducing pollution from contaminants like microplastics. By restoring urban waterways with otters in mind, cities could boost overall freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Insights into the influence of polystyrene microplastics on the bio-degradation behavior of tetrabromobisphenol A in soil

Researchers investigated how aged polystyrene microplastics affect the breakdown of the flame retardant TBBPA in soil. The study found that aged microplastics slowed TBBPA degradation by about 22%, reduced beneficial soil enzyme activity, and shifted microbial communities, suggesting that weathered microplastics may worsen soil contamination problems.

How Organic Mulching Influences the Soil Bacterial Community Structure and Function in Urban Forests

Researchers tested how different types of organic mulch affect the bacterial communities in urban forest soils. They found that wood chips and compost changed the soil's chemical properties and shifted the types of bacteria present, particularly those involved in carbon and nitrogen cycling. The study suggests that organic mulching could be a practical tool for improving the microbial health of urban soils.

The Effect of Balanced N, P and K Fertilization on Fine Root Traits and Soil Properties in Sapindus mukorossi

This field experiment found that balanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilization significantly increased fine root biomass, root length density, and nutrient uptake in Sapindus mukorossi plantations. The optimal fertilization level improved both root development and soil properties, providing guidance for nutrient management in woody oilseed crop cultivation.

Aging microplastics and coupling of “microplastic-electric fields” can affect soil water-stable aggregates’ stability

Researchers investigated how aged microplastics from polystyrene and polypropylene affect the stability of soil aggregates, which are important for soil health. The study found that weathered microplastics can break down the structure of water-stable soil aggregates, and that the combination of microplastics with electric fields further destabilizes soil, suggesting long-term consequences for soil quality.

Vertically co-distributed vanadium and microplastics drive distinct microbial community composition and assembly in soil

Researchers investigated the vertical co-distribution of vanadium and microplastics in soil profiles at a vanadium smelting site. The study found that both contaminants were present throughout the soil column and drove distinct changes in microbial community composition and assembly, suggesting combined impacts on soil ecosystem functioning.

Insights into effects of conventional and biodegradable microplastics on organic carbon decomposition in different soil aggregates

Researchers compared how conventional polypropylene and biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics affect carbon decomposition in different sizes of soil aggregates. Both types of microplastics increased carbon dioxide emissions from soil, but the effects varied depending on particle type, concentration, and aggregate size. The study reveals that microplastics can alter soil carbon cycling at a fundamental structural level, with biodegradable plastics not necessarily being more benign than conventional ones.

Soil Science Challenges in a New Era: A Transdisciplinary Overview of Relevant Topics

This transdisciplinary overview examines the major challenges facing soil science in the 2020s, with contributions from twenty experts across related disciplines. Among the key concerns identified are microplastics as emerging soil pollutants, alongside issues like soil erosion, contamination, food security, and climate change. The study emphasizes the need for new computational technologies and in situ measurements to better understand soil processes at multiple scales.

Adsorption behavior of organic pollutants on microplastics

This review summarizes the main mechanisms by which microplastics adsorb organic pollutants, including hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic forces, and hydrogen bonding. Researchers found that particle size, surface area, aging, and environmental factors like pH and temperature significantly influence how much pollution microplastics can carry. The study highlights the need for more field-based research to understand how microplastics behave as pollutant carriers in real environmental conditions.

Adsorption behaviors and bioavailability of tetrabromobisphenol A in the presence of polystyrene microplastic in soil: Effect of microplastics aging

Researchers studied how aging changes the ability of polystyrene microplastics to absorb and release a flame retardant chemical called TBBPA in soil. They found that aged microplastics had a greater capacity to adsorb the chemical but also released it more readily, increasing the bioavailability of this toxic compound to soil organisms. The study reveals that as microplastics weather in the environment, they may actually become more effective carriers of harmful chemicals into the food chain.

Aging enhancement and synergistic effect on toxicity to soil fauna by polystyrene microplastics-tetrabromobisphenol A toxicity exposure

Researchers investigated the combined toxicity of aged polystyrene microplastics and the flame retardant tetrabromobisphenol A on earthworms, finding that aging enhanced the microplastics' ability to adsorb and deliver the toxic chemical. The co-exposure produced synergistic effects including increased oxidative stress, gut microbiome disruption, and tissue damage beyond what either contaminant caused alone. The study highlights that weathered microplastics in contaminated soils may amplify the toxicity of co-occurring industrial chemicals.

Insights into photoaging behaviors and mechanisms of biodegradable and conventional microplastics in soil

Researchers compared how biodegradable and conventional microplastics break down when exposed to light in soil environments. They found that biodegradable poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) aged faster than conventional polyethylene, with both types developing surface cracks and chemical changes over time. The study provides new insights into how different plastic types weather in soil, which affects their environmental persistence and potential toxicity.

Trends in and Future Research Direction of Antimicrobial Resistance in Global Aquaculture Systems: A Review

This review analyzed trends in antimicrobial resistance in global aquaculture systems, finding that antibiotic overuse has accelerated the development of resistance genes and identifying key research directions for addressing this growing public health concern.

Effects of microplastics on nitrogen and phosphorus cycles and microbial communities in sediments

Researchers found that PVC, PLA, and polypropylene microplastics altered nitrogen and phosphorus cycling in freshwater sediments by shifting microbial community composition, with effects varying by polymer type and biodegradability.

Photoaging processes of polyvinyl chloride microplastics enhance the adsorption of tetracycline and facilitate the formation of antibiotic resistance

Researchers found that UV photoaging of PVC microplastics significantly enhanced their ability to adsorb the antibiotic tetracycline and facilitated the development of antibiotic resistance in surrounding microorganisms, raising concerns about aged microplastics in aquatic environments.