High doses of polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride microplastics affect the microbial community and nutrient status of vineyard soils

Highlights

	● Viticultural string PVC MPs increased soil pH in the acid soil.
	● PVC MPs disrupt soil microbes and reduce availability of nitrate by 98%.
	● Calcareoussoilsshowedgreater resilience to MPs impacts than acidic soils.
	● Nutrient availability dropped by 10% for NH4+, P, K, Mg, Cu, and 30% for Fe, Mn, Zn.
	● Microplastics from used strings have greater impact than new polymers.

Abstract

The escalating use of plastic materials in viticulture causes release of microplastics (MPs) into vineyard soils. This study examines the impact on soil health of polypropylene (PP) raffia and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tube strings, commonly mulched into the topsoil after use. A 120-d incubation experiment was conducted with soils exposed to high doses (10 g/kg) of microplastics (MPs) from standard, new and used strings. The study investigated alterations in the microbial community, bioavailability of macronutrients (NH₄⁺ and NO₃^–, P, K, Ca, Mg), and bioavailability of micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mg). The presence of MPs significantly stressed the soil microbial community, reducing microbial biomass by 30% after 30 d, with the exception of PVC in acid soil, which caused an unexpected increase of about 60%. The metabolic quotient (qCO₂) doubled in MP-polluted soils, with PVC exerting a more pronounced effect than PP. Basal respiration increased by 25% relative to the acid control soil. PVC MPs raised soil pH from 6.2 to 7.2 and firmly reduced the bioavailability of micronutrients, particularly in acidic soils, and led to a 98% reduction in nitrate (NO₃^–). The availability of NH₄⁺, P, K, Mg decreased by 10% and Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn by 30%. However, Ca availability increased by 30%, despite shifting from the acid-soluble fraction to soil organic matter and crystalline minerals. Calcareous soil was generally more resilient to changes than the acid soil. These findings underscore the urgent need to investigate the long-term effects of MPs from viticulture on soil properties and health.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Microplastics / Soil / Nutrient bioavailability / Microbial community / Viticulture

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Acknowledgements

Erika Jez acknowledges the financial support provided by the Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS) Project Z1-3197 Research Grant Program (2022–2023).

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.

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