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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics reduces bacterial and fungal biomass in microfabricated soil models
ClearEffects of different sizes of polystyrene micro(nano)plastics on soil microbial communities.
This study tested how polystyrene micro- and nanoplastic particles of three sizes affect soil microbial communities and nutrient cycling, finding that smaller particles caused greater disruption to nitrogen cycling and microbial activity. The results suggest that as plastics in soil fragment into smaller pieces over time, their impact on soil biology and fertility may worsen.
The Effect of Applying Model Nanoplastic Particles to Soil on the Composition of Its Microbial Community
Researchers conducted a one-month laboratory incubation experiment applying 0.55 µm polystyrene latex nanoplastics to soil to investigate effects on microbial community composition, finding that nanoplastic contamination altered soil microorganism diversity and activity in ways dependent on soil physicochemical properties and nanoplastic concentration.
Effects of polystyrene nanoparticles on the microbiota and functional diversity of enzymes in soil
Polystyrene nanoparticles applied to soil at environmentally relevant concentrations caused significant reductions in microbial biomass and disrupted the activity of enzymes critical for nutrient cycling within 28 days. The study provides the first experimental evidence that nanoplastics can act as antimicrobial agents in soil, with potential consequences for soil fertility and ecosystem function.
Growth reduction of- and interactions with nanoplastic particles in a soil bacterium and a soil fungus
Researchers found that nanosized polystyrene particles reduced the growth and enzymatic activity of both a soil bacterium (Pseudomonas) and a soil fungus (Coprinopsis), and that fungal hyphae strongly attracted nanoplastic beads, potentially concentrating them in specific soil pore spaces.
Divergent responses in microbial metabolic limitations and carbon use efficiency to variably sized polystyrene microplastics in soil
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics of all sizes disrupted soil microbe metabolism, but the smallest particles (nanoscale, 0.1 micrometers) caused the most stress. Smaller particles were more likely to enter microbial cells directly and reduce the efficiency with which soil microbes process carbon. This matters because soil microbes play a critical role in carbon cycling, and widespread microplastic contamination could affect how soil stores and releases carbon.
Effects of polypropylene micro(nano)plastics on soil bacterial and fungal community assembly in saline-alkaline wetlands
Scientists found that polypropylene nano-sized plastics disrupted soil bacterial communities more severely than micro-sized particles in saline wetland soil, reducing network complexity and altering how communities form. Bacteria were more sensitive to the plastic stress than fungi, and nanoplastics disrupted important interactions between soil microbes and plants. This suggests that as plastics break down into ever-smaller pieces in the environment, their impact on soil health may actually increase.
Nanoplastics alter ecosystem multifunctionality and may increase global warming potential
Researchers evaluated how positively and negatively charged polystyrene nanoplastics affect soil ecosystem functions, including nitrogen removal, greenhouse gas emissions, and microbial communities, with and without earthworms. The study found that nanoplastics significantly altered soil microbial community structure and ecosystem multifunctionality, with positively charged particles having more pronounced effects, and evidence indicating that nanoplastics may increase global warming potential through altered greenhouse gas emissions.
Time-resolved colonization patterns of bacteria and fungi on polystyrene microplastics in floodplain soils
Scientists studied how bacteria and fungi grow on tiny plastic particles (microplastics) buried in soil over several months. They found that these microbes form films on the plastic surfaces and some types can actually break down the plastic particles. This matters because microplastics are everywhere in our environment, and understanding how soil microbes interact with them could help us learn whether these plastics break down naturally or accumulate in ways that might affect our food and water.
Reprogramming of microbial community in barley root endosphere and rhizosphere soil by polystyrene plastics with different particle sizes
Barley plants grown in polystyrene microplastic- and nanoplastic-contaminated soil showed altered microbial communities in both the root endosphere and rhizosphere, suggesting plastic pollution can reshape plant-associated microbiomes. These shifts could have downstream consequences for plant health and soil nutrient cycling.
Impact of Nanoplastic Contamination on Rhizosphere Microbiome and Plant Phenotype
This study examined how nanoplastic contamination affects the rhizosphere microbiome (soil bacteria around plant roots) and plant growth. Nanoplastic exposure altered soil microbial communities and reduced plant growth, suggesting these tiny plastic particles could disrupt the soil ecosystems that support food production.
Effects of polystyrene microplastics on the agronomic traits and rhizosphere soil microbial community of highland barley
Researchers investigated how polystyrene microplastics of different sizes and concentrations affect highland barley growth and the microbial communities in surrounding soil. They found that smaller particles reduced grain weight while larger particles decreased spike dimensions, and all microplastic treatments significantly lowered soil bacterial diversity. The study also showed that adding degrading bacteria helped restore microbial community structure closer to normal conditions.
Soil microbial responses to nanoplastic particles investigated in transparent soil micromodels
Researchers used transparent soil micromodels to directly observe how nanoplastic particles affect soil bacteria at the pore scale, finding that nanoplastics reduced the motility and activity of Pseudomonas putida and altered its colonization patterns.
Nanoplastic pollution inhibits stream leaf decomposition through modulating microbial metabolic activity and fungal community structure
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics significantly inhibited leaf litter decomposition in freshwater streams, even at low concentrations. The study suggests this occurs through suppression of key microbial enzymes and shifts in fungal community structure, indicating that nanoplastic pollution could disrupt important nutrient cycling processes in freshwater ecosystems.
Do microbial decomposers find micro- and nanoplastics to be harmful stressors in the aquatic environment? A systematic review of in vitro toxicological research
Researchers systematically reviewed in vitro studies on how bacteria and fungi respond to micro- and nanoplastics, finding that polystyrene particles and E. coli dominate the literature and that nanoplastic toxicity commonly disrupts antioxidative systems, gene expression, and cell membrane integrity in microbial decomposers.
Investigation of Soil-Dwelling Bacterial Community Changes Induced by Microplastic Ex posure Using Amplicon Sequencing
Researchers analyzed soil bacterial community composition after microplastic contamination, finding that different polymer types caused distinct shifts in microbial diversity and functional groups, with implications for soil nutrient cycling and agricultural productivity.
Soil microplastics pollution can reduce viral abundance and have less consistent impacts on bacteria
Researchers exposed soils containing natural microbial communities to polyethylene and PVC microplastics and found that both types consistently reduced viral abundance, while effects on bacteria were more variable, suggesting microplastic pollution may alter the balance of microbial communities that regulate soil processes.
Microplastics increase soil microbial network complexity and trigger diversity-driven community assembly
Researchers found that microplastics in soil increased bacterial network complexity and shifted microbial community assembly in a diversity-dependent manner, with high-density polyethylene causing more harm to plant growth than polystyrene or polylactic acid particles.
Effects of microplastics on soil microbiome: The impacts of polymer type, shape, and concentration
Researchers examined how different microplastic polymer types, shapes, and concentrations affected soil bacterial communities, finding that these physical characteristics induced distinct shifts in soil microbiome composition and diversity.
Species sensitivity distributions of micro- and nanoplastics in soil based on particle characteristics
Researchers analyzed data from 74 studies to assess which soil organisms are most sensitive to micro and nanoplastics, finding that smaller particles and polystyrene types pose the greatest ecological risk. The hazardous concentration threshold for soil organisms was estimated at about 88 mg per kilogram of soil. This is the first study to factor in microplastic physical properties when calculating species sensitivity, providing a foundation for soil pollution guidelines.
Interference of microplastics on autotrophic microbiome in paddy soils: Shifts in carbon fixation rate, structure, abundance, co-occurrence, and assembly process
Researchers found that both conventional polystyrene and biodegradable PHBV microplastics significantly reduced carbon fixation rates in paddy soil by disrupting autotrophic microbial communities. The study suggests that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils may impair natural carbon sequestration processes, with polystyrene having a stronger inhibitory effect than biodegradable alternatives in bulk soil.
Two plant-growth-promoting Bacillus species can utilize nanoplastics
Researchers discovered that two species of Bacillus bacteria, commonly used to promote plant growth in agriculture, can break down polystyrene nanoplastics by oxidizing them. While high doses of nanoplastics initially harmed the bacteria, both species recovered and grew normally over time. The findings point to a potential biological approach for cleaning up nanoplastic pollution in agricultural soils.
Effects of polystyrene microplastics on the fitness of earthworms in an agricultural soil
Researchers exposed earthworms to polystyrene microplastics in agricultural soil at various concentrations. The study found that low concentrations had little effect, but high concentrations (1% and above) significantly inhibited growth and increased mortality, suggesting microplastic pollution poses ecological risks to soil organisms in terrestrial ecosystems.
Microplastics in soil induce a new microbial habitat, with consequences for bulk soil microbiomes
Polypropylene and expanded polystyrene granules introduced into arable soil created distinct new microbial habitats with higher bacterial community complexity than bulk soil, and their presence also increased microbial diversity in the surrounding soil after 8 weeks. The findings suggest microplastics act as ecological islands that reshape soil microbiome composition.
Response of a simulated aquatic fungal community to nanoplastics exposure and functional consequence on leaf decomposition
Researchers exposed a simulated stream fungal community to nano-polystyrene and found that even low concentrations (1–100 µg/L) suppressed fungal reproduction and reduced the abundance of Geotrichum candidum, slowing leaf litter decomposition by up to 27.9% and disrupting a key aquatic nutrient cycling function.