Effects of microplastic types and shapes on the community structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in different soil types.

ABSTRACT: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a crucial role in soil ecosystems by enhancing nutrient exchange, stabilizing soil structure, and improving water movement in soils. Microplastics (MPs), synthetic polymers smaller than five mm, pose an emerging threat to AMF by altering soil structure and chemistry, potentially disrupting these essential functions. This study examined how ten different microplastic types and shapes influenced AMF communities within the context of Grime's C-S-R (competitor-stress tolerator-ruderal) framework. We tested the effects of polypropylene, polyester, high-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, low-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene on three distinct soils (Albic Luvisol, Haplic Chernozem, and Haplic Luvisol), examining MPs i

SUBMITTER: Lammel DR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12098463 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature