Field application of pure polyethylene microplastic has no significant short-term effect on soil biological quality and function

Brown, Robert W.; Chadwick, David R.; Thornton, Harriet; Marshall, Miles R.; Bei, Shuikuan; Distaso, Marco A.; Bargiela, Rafael; Marsden, Karina A.; Clode, Peta L.; Murphy, Daniel V.; Pagella, Saskia; Jones, Davey L.

doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2021.108496

Cited by 51 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 113 publications

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“…However, Brown et al. (2022) did not observe growth and yield reductions of wheat plants even with loads of LDPE‐MP >100 g m –2 . While these results, as in our case, indicate that MP might not pose a risk with respect to plant growth, this should be confirmed by investigations of other sites (with different soil types and climates) as well as plant species and MP types.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…(2020) did not observe significant changes in soil microbial biomass C and microbial community composition due to the addition of LDPE at concentrations 5, 10, 15 g m –2 (corresponding to 11,361, 23,789, and 39,172 particles kg −1 ). In a recent field study, no effects of LDPE‐MP on microbial abundance and composition were detected even at extremely high application rates up to 1000 g MP m –2 (Brown et al., 2022). However, Lin et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…In line with our results, Lin et al (2020) did not observe significant changes in soil microbial biomass C and microbial community composition due to the addition of LDPE at concentrations 5, 10, 15 g m -2 (corresponding to 11,361, 23,789, and 39,172 particles kg −1 ). In a recent field study, no effects of LDPE-MP on microbial abundance and composition were detected even at extremely high application rates up to 1000 g MP m -2 (Brown et al, 2022). However, Lin et al (2020) found substantial increases in C cycling enzymes such as α-glucosidase and ß-glucosidase at all con-centration levels between 36 and 86%, and an increase in L-leucine aminopeptidase, an N cycling enzyme, by 83-116%.…”

Section: Mp Did Not Affect Soil Microbial Biomass Enzyme Activities A...mentioning

confidence: 91%

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Microplastics persist in an arable soil but do not affect soil microbial biomass, enzyme activities, and crop yield

Schöpfer

Möller

Steiner

et al. 2022

J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci.

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Background: Microplastics (MP, plastic particles <5 mm) are ubiquitous in arable soils due to significant inputs via organic fertilizers, sewage sludges, and plastic mulches. However, knowledge of typical MP loadings, their fate, and ecological impacts on arable soils is limited. Aims:We studied (1) MP background concentrations, (2) the fate of added conventional and biodegradable MP, and (3) effects of MP in combination with organic fertilizers on microbial abundance and activity associated with carbon (C) cycling, and crop yields in an arable soil.Methods: On a conventionally managed soil (Luvisol, silt loam), we arranged plots in a randomized complete block design with the following MP treatments (none, lowdensity polyethylene [LDPE], a blend of poly(lactic acid) and poly(butylene adipate-coterephthalate) [PLA/PBAT]) and organic fertilizers (none, compost, digestate). We added 20 kg MP ha -1 and 10 t organic fertilizers ha -1 . We measured concentrations of MP in the soil, microbiological indicators of C cycling (microbial biomass and enzyme activities), and crop yields over 1.5 years.Results: Background concentration of MP in the top 10 cm was 296 ± 110 (mean ± standard error) particles <0.5 mm per kg soil, with polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene as the main polymers. Added LDPE and PLA/PBAT particles showed no changes in number and particle size over time. MP did not affect the soil microbiological indicators of C cycling or crop yields.Conclusions: Numerous MP occur in arable soils, suggesting diffuse MP entry into soils.In addition to conventional MP, biodegradable MP may persist under field conditions.However, MP at current concentrations are not expected to affect C turnover and crop yield.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Mp Did Not Affect Soil Microbial Biomass Enzyme Activities A...mentioning

confidence: 91%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Microplastics persist in an arable soil but do not affect soil microbial biomass, enzyme activities, and crop yield

Schöpfer

Möller

Steiner

et al. 2022

J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci.

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show abstract

“…9, irrespective of whether it is accelerating voltage, magnication or the interaction effect of the two, the p values are all above 0.05, indicating that they have no signicant effect on the detected value of the microsphere diameters. [38][39][40] In other words, under the condition of changing the accelerating voltage and magnication, there is no signicant difference between the measured diameter data of microspheres. This result suggests that the nanospheres indeed have the potential to be used as a CRM.…”

Section: Stability Study Of Conductive Carbon Nanospheres Crmmentioning

confidence: 95%

Bulk synthesis of conductive non-metallic carbon nanospheres and a 3D printed carrier device for scanning electron microscope calibration

Wang

Hao

et al. 2023

RSC Adv.

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“…For example, a study found that modest dosages of polyethylene MPs did not alter the physical and chemical properties of soil at a high-density [ 38 ]. In the short term, field testing of pure polyethylene microplastic exhibited no discernible effect on soil biomass and function [ 39 ]. At the same time, as a unique and important ecosystem, MPs have been studied in fragile karst environments, less frequently, with most studies conducted in relatively closed caves with environmental conditions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preliminary Study on the Distribution, Source, and Ecological Risk of Typical Microplastics in Karst Groundwater in Guizhou Province, China

Lan

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Karst groundwater is one of the important drinking water sources in karst areas, and it has an important role in maintaining the regional ecosystem and human health. The study of microplastics (MPs) in karst groundwater has rarely been reported, and the occurrence and migration behavior of MPs under the unique environmental conditions of karst is unclear. This study selected cave groundwater and common MPs in karst areas to explore the occurrence characteristics of MPs in groundwater to clarify the factors affecting the distribution and migration of MPs. The results showed that the abundance of MPs in karst groundwater was between 2.33 and 9.50 items·L−1, with an average abundance of 4.50 items·L−1. The microplastic size, type, color, and chemical composition were primarily 1~5 mm, film and fiber, color and transparent, and PS and PE, respectively. The risk characterization ratio (RCR) index results indicated that 80% of the samples were at a low ecological risk level, whereas 60% of the sampling points after concentrated rainfall in June were a medium ecological risk. The study showed that rainfall events significantly changed the abundance and migration of MPs in karst groundwater. The Pearson analysis showed a positive correlation between microplastic distribution and suspended particles (SP), total organic carbon (TOC), and water velocity (WV) in water. The study indicated that strong soil erosion in karst areas may also be one of the main sources of MPs in karst groundwater, and that karst groundwater microplastic pollution is an environmental problem that should not be ignored.

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Field application of pure polyethylene microplastic has no significant short-term effect on soil biological quality and function

Cited by 51 publications

References 113 publications

Microplastics persist in an arable soil but do not affect soil microbial biomass, enzyme activities, and crop yield

Microplastics persist in an arable soil but do not affect soil microbial biomass, enzyme activities, and crop yield

Bulk synthesis of conductive non-metallic carbon nanospheres and a 3D printed carrier device for scanning electron microscope calibration

Preliminary Study on the Distribution, Source, and Ecological Risk of Typical Microplastics in Karst Groundwater in Guizhou Province, China

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