Microplastics Can Change Soil Properties and Affect Plant Performance
Anderson Abel de Souza Machado,Anderson Abel de Souza Machado,Chung W Lau,Chung W Lau,Chung W Lau,Werner Kloas,Werner Kloas,Joana Bergmann,Julien B. Bachelier,Erik Faltin,Erik Faltin,Roland Becker,Anna S Görlich,Matthias C. Rillig +13 more
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TLDR
The findings reported here imply that the pervasive microplastic contamination in soil may have consequences for plant performance and thus for agroecosystems and terrestrial biodiversity.Abstract:
Microplastics can affect biophysical properties of the soil. However, little is known about the cascade of events in fundamental levels of terrestrial ecosystems, i.e., starting with the changes in soil abiotic properties and propagating across the various components of soil-plant interactions, including soil microbial communities and plant traits. We investigated here the effects of six different microplastics (polyester fibers, polyamide beads, and four fragment types: polyethylene, polyester terephthalate, polypropylene, and polystyrene) on a broad suite of proxies for soil health and performance of spring onion ( Allium fistulosum). Significant changes were observed in plant biomass, tissue elemental composition, root traits, and soil microbial activities. These plant and soil responses to microplastic exposure were used to propose a causal model for the mechanism of the effects. Impacts were dependent on particle type, i.e., microplastics with a shape similar to other natural soil particles elicited smaller differences from control. Changes in soil structure and water dynamics may explain the observed results in which polyester fibers and polyamide beads triggered the most pronounced impacts on plant traits and function. The findings reported here imply that the pervasive microplastic contamination in soil may have consequences for plant performance and thus for agroecosystems and terrestrial biodiversity.read more
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Effects of Microplastics in Soil Ecosystems: Above and Below Ground.
TL;DR: Evidence is provided that microplastics manufactured of HDPE and PLA, and synthetic fibers can affect the development of L. perenne, health of A. rosea and basic, but crucial soil properties, with potential further impacts on soil ecosystem functioning.
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Source, migration and toxicology of microplastics in soil.
Jing-Jie Guo,Xian-Pei Huang,Lei Xiang,Yi-Ze Wang,Yan-Wen Li,Hui Li,Quan-Ying Cai,Ce-Hui Mo,Ming Hung Wong +8 more
TL;DR: This review aims to address gaps in knowledge, shed light on the ecological effects of microplastics in soil, and propose future studies on microplastic pollution and the resultant soil ecotoxicity.
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The global threat from plastic pollution
Matthew MacLeod,Hans Peter H. Arp,Hans Peter H. Arp,Mine Banu Tekman,Annika Jahnke,Annika Jahnke +5 more
TL;DR: In this paper, the rational response to the global threat posed by accumulating and poorly reversible plastic pollution is to rapidly reduce plastic emissions through reductions in consumption of virgin plastic materials, along with internationally coordinated strategies for waste management.
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Agricultural plastic mulching as a source of microplastics in the terrestrial environment.
TL;DR: Analysis of soil samples from 19 provinces across China confirmed that plastic mulching is an important source of macroplastic and microplastic contamination in terrestrial environments, and Fourier transform infrared analyses revealed that the composition of the microplastics matched that of the mulching films, suggesting themicroplastic particles originated from the Mulching films.
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Microplastic in terrestrial ecosystems
Matthias C. Rillig,Anika Lehmann +1 more
TL;DR: Research shifts from ecotoxicology to ecosystem effects and Earth system feedbacks Concern about microplastics polluting different environmental compartments is mounting, and research on microplastic is only now on the verge of this wider view.
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Anderson Abel de Souza Machado,Anderson Abel de Souza Machado,Werner Kloas,Werner Kloas,Christiane Zarfl,Stefan Hempel,Matthias C. Rillig +6 more
TL;DR: The pervasive microplastic contamination as a potential agent of global change in terrestrial systems is introduced, the physical and chemical nature of the respective observed effects are highlighted, and the broad toxicity of nanoplastics derived from plastic breakdown is discussed.