Comparing the long-term responses of soil microbial structures and diversities to polyethylene microplastics in different aggregate fractions

Hou, Junhua; Xu, Xiangjian; Yu, Huiming; Xi, Beidou; Tan, Wenbing

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2021.106398

Cited by 167 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…Zettler et al (2013) found that the abundance of bacterial communities on MPs was much higher than that of surrounding environment, and these microorganisms are important for ecosystem processes involving C or S cycles (Xie et al, 2021). MPs enrich the microbial communities involved in self-degradation (Huang et al, 2019;Hou et al, 2021). For example, Chloroplast, Cladosporiaceae, Tremellales, Didymellaceae, and Filobasidiaceae are significantly abundant on microplastic surfaces (Yu et al, 2021c).…”

Section: Effects Of Microplastic(s) On Soil Microorganismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Under the action of MPs, soil enzyme activities may be inhibited or activated(Awet et al, 2018;de Souza Machado et al, 2018, 2019Qian et al, 2018;Fei et al, 2020;Yu et al, 2020;Guo et al, 2021;Ren et al, 2022). MPs also affect soil microorganisms, inhibit or activate microbial activities, and affect microbial diversity and community structures(Liu et al, 2017;Awet et al, 2018;de Souza Machado et al, 2018;Hou et al, 2021). In addition, MPs release chemical additives and can adsorb various toxic substances, further aggravating soil pollution and affecting soil properties(Hahladakis et al, 2018;Zhang Z. et al, 2021).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Microplastics as an Emerging Environmental Pollutant in Agricultural Soils: Effects on Ecosystems and Human Health

Zhang

Tan

et al. 2022

Front. Environ. Sci.

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Microplastics are <5 mm in size, made up of diverse chemical components, and come from multiple sources. Due to extensive use and unreasonable disposal of plastics, microplastics have become a global environmental issue and have aroused widespread concern about their potential ecological risks. This review introduces the sources, distribution and migration of microplastics in agricultural soil ecosystems. The effects of microplastics on soil physicochemical properties and nutrient cycling are also discussed. Microplastics can alter a series of key soil biogeochemical processes by changing their characteristics, resulting in multiple effects on the activities and functions of soil microorganisms. The effects of microplastics on soil animals and plants, the combined effects of microplastics and coexisting pollutants (organic pollutants and heavy metals), and their potential risks to human health are also discussed. Finally, prevention and control strategies of microplastic pollution in agricultural soil ecosystems are put forward, and knowledge gaps and future research suggestions about microplastic pollution are given. This review improves the understanding of environmental behavior of microplastics in agricultural soil ecosystems, and provides a theoretical reference for a better assessment of the ecological and environmental risks of microplastics.

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Section: Effects Of Microplastic(s) On Soil Microorganismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics as an Emerging Environmental Pollutant in Agricultural Soils: Effects on Ecosystems and Human Health

Zhang

Tan

et al. 2022

Front. Environ. Sci.

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“…This phylum is known for its catalytic ability and the decomposition of complex organic matters. Furthermore, bacteria of this taxa are involved in the C and N turnover and in the transformation of phosphorus (Cesarano et al, 2017;Li et al, 2017;Chee-Sanford et al, 2019;Hou et al, 2021), which might influence plant growth. Gemmatimonadates and Chloroflexi were recently considered as keystone species in soils contaminated with MP materials (Zhang et al, 2019).…”

Section: Especiallymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They could alter the physical properties of soil (e.g., increase water holding capacity or decrease bulk density) (de Souza Machado et al, 2018) influence the soil structure, soil fertility and affect soil biodiversity and functioning (Rillig, 2012). Effects of MP on the soil microbiome have been clearly demonstrated (Huang et al, 2019;Zhou et al, 2020;Hou et al, 2021;Luo et al, 2022;Shi et al, 2022;Zhu et al, 2022), affecting microbial activities and associated important functions including nutrient turnover, bacterial transport and the decomposition of organic matter. MP induced microbiome composition disruption, immune response, enzyme activity and gene expression changes (Santos et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics in soil induce a new microbial habitat, with consequences for bulk soil microbiomes

Kublik

Gschwendtner

Magritsch

et al. 2022

Front. Environ. Sci.

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Microplastic (MP) pollution poses a threat to agricultural soils and may induce a significant loss of the soil quality and services provided by these ecosystems. Studies in marine environments suggest that this impact is mediated by shifts in the microbiome. However, studies on the mode of action of MP materials on the soil microbiome are rare, particularly when comparing the effects of different MP materials. In this study, we characterized the microbiota colonizing two different MP materials, granules made of polypropylene (PP) and expanded polystyrene (ePS), introduced into arable soil and incubated for 8 weeks using a molecular barcoding approach. We further assessed the consequences on the microbiome of bulk soil. The complexity of the bacterial communities colonizing MP materials was significantly higher on ePS compared to PP. Many of the detected genera colonizing the MP materials belonged to taxa, that are known to degrade polymeric substances, including TM7a, Phenylobacterium, Nocardia, Arthrobacter and Streptomyces. Interestingly, in bulk soil samples amended with MP materials, microbial diversity was higher after 8 weeks compared to the control soil, which was incubated without MP materials. The composition of bacterial communities colonizing the MP materials and bulk soil differed. Mainly Acidobacteria were mostly found in bulk soil, whereas they were rare colonizers of the MP materials. Differences in diversity and community composition between the MP affected bulk soil samples were not found. Overall, our data indicate that MP materials form a new niche for microbes in soil, with a specific community composition depending on the materials used, strongly influencing the bulk soil microbiota in the short term. Long-term consequences for the soil microbiome and associated functions including different soils need to be further elaborated in the future for a proper risk assessment of the mode of action of MP materials in terrestrial ecosystems.

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“…One kilogram of test soil was placed in pots for each treatment and various MPs were added in proportion. The soil was incubated in an artificial incubator (temperature 27 • C, relative humidity 80%) in a diurnal cycle every 12 h. Proper stirring and mixing can be carried out with a stainless-steel spoon in order to allow sufficient exchange of substances between the MPs and the external environment [29]. Throughout the experiment, 150 mL of water was added daily.…”

Section: Microcosm Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biofilm Structural and Functional Features on Microplastic Surfaces in Greenhouse Agricultural Soil

Chen

Wang

et al. 2022

Sustainability

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Microplastics (MPs) enter the soil through a variety of pathways, including plastic mulching, sludge, and organic manure application. In recent years, domestic and foreign experts and scholars have been concerned about the residues and contamination of MPs in the soil of greenhouse agriculture. In this investigation, five types of MPs including low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and two concentrations (1% and 5%, w/w) were used in a 30-day external exposure test. Evidence of microbial enrichment was found on the surface of the MPs. The total amount of biofilm on the surface of MPs increased dramatically with increasing exposure time and MP concentrations. The polysaccharide content of extracellular polymers (EPS) in biofilms was significantly different, and the maximum PS1 (1% (w/w) PS) concentration was 50.17 mg/L. However, EPS protein content did not change significantly. The dominant bacteria on the surface of MPs with different types and concentrations were specific, and the relative abundance of Patescibacteria was significantly changed at the phylum level. At the genus level, Methylophaga, Saccharimonadales, and Sphingomonas dominated the flora of LDPE1 (1% (w/w) LDPE), PS1, and PET5 (5% (w/w) PET). The dominant bacteria decompose organic materials and biodegrade organic contaminants. According to the FAPROTAX functional prediction study, chemoheterotrophy and aerobic chemoheterotrophyplay a role in ecosystem processes such as carbon cycle and climate regulation. The application of LDPE1 has a greater impact on the carbon cycle. Plant development and soil nutrients in greenhouse agriculture may be influenced by the interaction between MPs and microorganisms in the growing area, while MP biofilms have an impact on the surrounding environment and pose an ecological hazard.

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Comparing the long-term responses of soil microbial structures and diversities to polyethylene microplastics in different aggregate fractions

Cited by 167 publications

References 65 publications

Microplastics as an Emerging Environmental Pollutant in Agricultural Soils: Effects on Ecosystems and Human Health

Microplastics as an Emerging Environmental Pollutant in Agricultural Soils: Effects on Ecosystems and Human Health

Microplastics in soil induce a new microbial habitat, with consequences for bulk soil microbiomes

Biofilm Structural and Functional Features on Microplastic Surfaces in Greenhouse Agricultural Soil

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