Randomized trial examines how microplastics influence soil carbon mineralization via microbial shifts, indicating significant environmental impacts.
Key Points
This research aims to understand how microplastic-derived dissolved organic carbon affects soil organic carbon mineralization and shifts in microbial communities.
Conducted a meta-analysis and incubation experiment.
Utilized a random forest model to analyze data.
Assessed the effects of various types of microplastics on microbial growth and carbon mineralization.
Polyhydroxyalkanoate increased SOC mineralization by 462 to 1198 mg CO2-C kg-1 soil (p<0.05).
Polylactic acid decreased SOC mineralization by 149 to 268 mg CO2-C kg-1 soil (p<0.05).
Fungal activity dominated in subsoil, while bacterial necromass accumulation suppressed SOC mineralization in topsoil.