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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastics enhance the invasion of exotic submerged macrophytes by mediating plant functional traits, sediment properties, and microbial communities
ClearMicroplastics promote the invasiveness of invasive alien species under fluctuating water regime
Researchers found that microplastic pollution in soil can enhance the invasiveness of alien plant species, particularly under fluctuating water conditions that simulate extreme rainfall events. The microplastics altered soil properties in ways that gave invasive plants a competitive advantage over native species. The study highlights a previously overlooked interaction between two major environmental threats: microplastic contamination and biological invasions.
Non-synergistic effects of microplastics and submerged macrophytes on sediment microorganisms involved in carbon and nitrogen cycling
This study used genomic analysis to look at how polystyrene microplastics and aquatic plants (submerged macrophytes) together influence the microbial communities in lake sediments that control nutrient cycling. Rather than amplifying each other's effects, the two factors acted independently — microplastics increased microbial diversity while the plants shaped which metabolic functions dominated. The finding suggests that the ecological impact of microplastics in lakes cannot be predicted by looking at microplastics alone, without accounting for the vegetation already present.
Shifting enzyme activity and microbial composition in sediment coregulate the structure of an aquatic plant community under polyethylene microplastic exposure
Researchers investigated how polyethylene microplastics affect underwater plant communities and found that the impact varies significantly by species. Canopy-forming plants actually grew more under microplastic exposure, while rosette-forming species declined sharply, shifting the overall community structure. The study suggests that microplastics in freshwater sediments can reshape aquatic ecosystems by altering enzyme activity and microbial composition in ways that favor some plant species over others.
Microplastics as habitat-dependent ecological filters: facilitating plant invasion in water while reinforcing biotic resistance on land
Researchers investigated whether microplastics act as context-dependent ecological filters that differently affect invasive and native plant species in aquatic versus terrestrial habitats. The study found that microplastics facilitated plant invasion in water while reinforcing biotic resistance on land, with effects varying by polymer type and particle size across polyethylene, nylon, and biodegradable PLA.
Rhizosphere Keystone Microbiomes Promote Invasive Plant Growth under PLA and PVC Microplastic Stress: A Comparative Study with Native Species
Researchers compared how invasive and native plant species respond to soil contaminated with biodegradable and non-biodegradable microplastics. Invasive plants experienced less growth inhibition and selectively enriched beneficial bacteria in their root zones, forming more stable microbial networks. The study suggests that microplastic contamination in soils may inadvertently give invasive species a competitive advantage over native plants.
Does invasive submerged macrophyte diversity affect dissimilatory nitrate reduction processes in sediments with varying microplastics?
Researchers studied how invasive aquatic plants and microplastic pollution interact to affect nitrogen removal processes in lake sediments. They found that microplastics generally reduced denitrification rates, while certain combinations of invasive plant species partially offset these effects. The study highlights that the combined pressures of plastic pollution and invasive species create complex and sometimes unpredictable changes in lake nutrient cycling.
Nitrogen deposition modulates invasibility and stability of plant communities in microplastic-contaminated wetlands
A greenhouse experiment found that polyethylene microplastics combined with nitrogen deposition reduced morphological traits of invaded wetland plant communities, altering competitive dynamics between invasive and native plants.
The more microplastic types pollute the soil, the stronger the growth suppression of invasive alien and native plants
Researchers grew 16 plant species in soil contaminated with varying numbers of microplastic types and found that plant growth declined more as the diversity of microplastics increased. Invasive species were particularly affected, losing their typical growth advantage over native plants when exposed to multiple microplastic types. The study suggests that real-world soil contamination, which typically involves a mix of different plastics, may suppress plant growth more than single-plastic experiments have shown.
The native submerged plant, Hydrilla verticillata outperforms its exotic confamilial with exposure to polyamide microplastic pollution: Implication for wetland revegetation and potential driving mechanism
Researchers found that a native aquatic plant species maintained its growth when exposed to polyamide microplastic pollution, while an invasive species declined. This suggests that native plants may be better choices for restoring waterways contaminated with microplastics. The study provides practical guidance for wetland restoration efforts in areas affected by microplastic pollution.
Combined Exposure of Microplastics and Climate Warming Affects the Bacteria-Driven Macrophyte Litter Decomposition in an Urban Lake
Researchers conducted a 30-day microcosm experiment to study how climate warming and polystyrene microplastics interact to affect plant litter decomposition in lake ecosystems. The study found that combined warming and high microplastic concentrations promoted litter decomposition by increasing bacterial biomass and diversity, but also raised concerns by boosting potentially harmful bacteria on microplastic surfaces.
Microplastics amplify the invasive potential of Flavidium bidentis in invaded communities
Researchers examined how microplastics affect the competitive interactions and invasive potential of Flavidium bidentis in native plant communities, measuring growth traits and interspecific relationships across microplastic exposure treatments. Results indicated that microplastics amplified the invasive advantage of F. bidentis over native species, raising concern that widespread soil microplastic contamination may accelerate plant invasions.
Microplastics could alter invasive plant community performance and the dominance of Amaranthus palmeri
This study examined how microplastics interact with invasive and native plant species in mixed plant communities, finding that microplastics altered competitive dynamics and affected the dominance of the invasive species Amaranthus palmeri. The results suggest that microplastic pollution could modulate the outcomes of plant invasions.
High invader density alone drives invasive plant dominance, but its impacts on native community biomass and diversity depend on nutrients and microplastics
A mesocosm experiment using invasive aquatic plants found that high invader density is the main driver of invasive species dominance in freshwater systems, but the impact on native plant diversity and productivity depends on whether the water is also enriched with nutrients or contaminated with microplastics. This study highlights that microplastic pollution can interact with other stressors like nutrient runoff to shape how biological invasions unfold in freshwater ecosystems, with cascading consequences for native plant communities.
[Effects of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on the growth, physiology, and biochemical characteristics of Hydrilla verticillata].
Researchers exposed an aquatic plant to increasing concentrations of polystyrene microplastics and found that high doses stunted plant height, reduced chlorophyll, and impaired photosynthesis. Submerged aquatic plants form the base of freshwater food webs, and their disruption by microplastic pollution could cascade through aquatic ecosystems.
The effects of polypropylene microplastics on the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from water by Acorus calamus, Iris tectorum and functional microorganisms
Researchers investigated how polypropylene microplastics affect the ability of aquatic plants and their associated microorganisms to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from water. They found that microplastic stress reduced the nutrient absorption capacity of the plants and altered the microbial communities responsible for nitrogen and phosphorus cycling. The study suggests that microplastic pollution may undermine the effectiveness of wetland-based water purification systems.
Microplastic residues in wetland ecosystems: Do they truly threaten the plant-microbe-soil system?
Researchers used a controlled pot experiment to assess microplastic effects on wetland plant growth, soil microbial communities, and nutrient cycling, finding that MPs altered soil enzyme activity and shifted bacterial community composition but had variable effects on plant growth depending on plastic type.
Effect of microplastics on the allelopathic effects of native and invasive plants on co-occurring invaders
Researchers found that polyethylene microplastics in soil enhanced the growth of both native and invasive plant species under competitive and non-competitive conditions. The microplastics also induced negative allelopathic effects from the native plant Achyranthes on neighboring plants, mediated through changes in leaf chemistry. The study suggests that microplastic pollution could alter competitive dynamics between native and invasive species by modifying plant chemical interactions.
Effects of microplastics on the structure and function of bacterial communities in sediments of a freshwater lake
Researchers examined how microplastics alter the structure and function of bacterial communities in sediments, finding that plastic exposure shifted community composition and reduced overall diversity compared to plastic-free controls. Functional analysis showed impaired denitrification and organic matter decomposition in microplastic-contaminated sediments, indicating ecosystem-level consequences for nutrient cycling.
High invader density alone drives invasive plant dominance, but its impacts on native community biomass and diversity depend on nutrients and microplastics
Scientists found that when invasive water plants are planted more densely, they grow much larger and take over freshwater ecosystems more successfully. However, how these invasions affect native plants depends on whether the water is polluted with excess nutrients (like fertilizer runoff) and microplastics—tiny plastic particles that are increasingly common in our waterways. This matters because healthy freshwater plant communities help keep our water clean and support fish and wildlife that many people depend on for food and recreation.
Polyethylene microplastics interfere with the nutrient cycle in water-plant-sediment systems
Researchers studied how polyethylene microplastics affect nutrient cycling in freshwater systems containing submerged plants and sediment. They found that the microplastics significantly reduced nitrogen and carbon content in plant leaves and disrupted the microbial communities in sediment responsible for nutrient processing. The study demonstrates that microplastic pollution can interfere with fundamental biogeochemical cycles that maintain the health of aquatic ecosystems.