Differences, links, and roles of microbial and stoichiometric factors in microplastic distribution: A case study of five typical rice cropping regions in China.

ABSTRACT: Microplastics (MPs), as new pollutants in agroecosystems, have already attracted widespread attention from scientists. However, our understanding of MP geographic distribution and its influencing factors across spatial scales remains poor. Here, a regional-scale field investigation was conducted to assess the distribution characteristic of MPs in five major rice-growing regions of China, and we explored the roles of biological and abiotic factors, especially stoichiometry and microbial influences on MP distribution. MPs were observed in all sampling sites, averaging 6,390 ± 2,031 items⋅kg^-1. Sizes less than 0.5 mm and black and transparent MPs dominated. Fiber, classified as one of the MP shapes, occurred most frequently. MP community analysis, firstly used in paddy soil, reveal

SUBMITTER: Yao Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9478377 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature