Microplastics Trigger Soil Dissolved Organic Carbon and Nutrient Turnover by Strengthening Microbial Network Connectivity and Cross-Trophic Interactions

Increasing microplastic (MP) inputs in agricultural soils have gained global attention for their ecological effects, especially on soil organic carbon (SOC) and nutrient turnover. However, the microbial mechanism underlying MP-induced SOC and nutrient dynamics remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the impacts of two common MPs (polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride) on microbial hierarchical groups (bacteria, fungi, and protists) and the cascading effects on dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nutrient dynamics in two typical agricultural soils (Mollisol and Ultisol). Our results showed that MP inputs consistently reduced NO3––N concentration but increased the content of DOC and specific dissolved…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Award: 42477332
• NS
  Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province

  Award: 2023AFB764
• FR
  Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

  Award: 2662023ZHPY001