Single and combined effects of secondary polyethylene microplastic on the growth of Pak choi and the soil microbiome composition

Highlights

● Secondary PE-MPs were simulated via the aging processes and mechanical milling.

● The growth of Pak choi was greatly inhibited after secondary PE-MPs exposure.

● Combined effects of secondary PE-MPs and pollutants were antagonism.

● Soil properties and microbial composition showed significant alteration.

Abstract

It has been confirmed that microplastics (MPs) are present in the environment. This study simulated secondary PE-MPs via aging and mechanical processes to evaluate their effects on Pak choi (Brassica rapa L.) over 21 d. Two common pollutants, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and naphthalene, were used in the combined toxicity tests. The results indicated that the growth of Pak choi was significantly inhibited after exposure to secondary PE-MPs, and the combined effects were antagonistic, owing to the adsorption capacity of secondary PE-MPs to DDT and naphthalene. Oxidative stress in Pak choi can be markedly affected, leading to oxidative damage to plant cells. The moisture content, soil bulk density, soil density, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and FDA hydrolase in the planted soils increased in the treated groups, and the TOC content changed significantly. We also found that the microbial composition of the soil in the DDT and naphthalene groups showed more significant alterations than that in the other groups. Alpha diversity analysis showed that species diversity increased in the combined groups but indicated a clear downward trend in the single MPs groups. This study suggests that secondary PE-MPs harm the growth of Pak choi and can change soil properties, revealing the harm to the ecosystem of MPs in the soil.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Secondary PE-MPs / Combined effects / Oxidative stress / Soil properties / Bacterial community

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Acknowledgements

The study was financially supported by the Fund for the Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission (Nos. WDZC20200819163549002 and KCXFZ20211020163556020).

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Electronic Supplementary Material

Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-024-1813-6 and is accessible for authorized users.

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