Low-density polyethylene microplastics alter chemical properties and microbial communities in agricultural soil.

ABSTRACT: Microplastic (MP) pollution in agricultural soils, resulting from the use of plastic mulch, compost, and sewage sludge, jeopardizes the soil microbial populations. However, the effects of MPs on soil chemical properties and microbial communities remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of different concentration levels (0, 0.1, 1, 3, 5, and 7%; w:w) of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) MPs on the chemical properties and bacterial communities of agricultural soil in an incubation study. The addition of LDPE MPs did not drastically change soil pH (ranging from 8.22 to 8.42). Electrical conductivity increased significantly when the LDPE MP concentrations were between 1 and 7%, whereas the total exchangeable cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca^2+<

SUBMITTER: Palansooriya KN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10539289 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature