Nanoplastic aggravates CH₄ and N₂O emission in plant-soil system

Abstract

As nanoplastics continue to accumulate in natural wetland ecosystems, it remains unclear whether and how the effects of nanoplastics on the emission of methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O). Here we constructed a simulated natural wetland and introduced polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) to investigate the effects and potential mechanisms on CH₄ and N₂O emissions. The results indicated that PS-NPs can increase CH₄ emissions by 20% to 100% and N₂O emissions by approximately 100%. Analysis of the microbial community and plant functional characteristics in soils showed that PS-NPs inhibited plant growth and photosynthesis, and weakened plant stress resistance. Changes in plant functional characteristics affect the oxygen production capacity and secretion content of plant roots, which further affect the microbial community structure and metabolic activity of rhizosphere soil, enhancing methanogenesis and denitrification processes during the carbon and nitrogen cycles, resulting in increased CH₄ and N₂O emissions. Therefore, the continuous accumulation of PS-NPs is an important factor in changing the carbon sink function of wetlands. This study underscores the importance of controlling plastics pollution for the emission of greenhouse gases.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Wetland ecosystems / Nanoplastics / Greenhouse gases / Rhizosphere microbial communities

Highlight

	● PS-NPs significantly increase CH4 and N2O emissions in simulated wetland.
	● PS-NPs inhibit plant growth and photosynthesis, weakening stress resistance.
	● Rhizosphere microbial shifts enhance methanogenesis and denitrification.
	● PS-NPs alter root exudates, supplying carbon for CH4 production.
	● Nanoplastics convert wetland carbon sinks to enhanced greenhouse gases sources.

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