Effects of nanoFe₃O₄ and carbon nanotubes on anaerobic decomposition of soil organic matter in paddy soil

Abstract

Paddy soil is frequently flooded, which leads to anaerobic decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM) to produce CO₂ and CH₄. Currently, there is limited research about the impact of nanoparticles on anaerobic SOM decomposition and CH₄ production in paddy soil. This study investigates the effects of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on anaerobic SOM decomposition in two paddy soils. The findings showed that addition of nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs: 0.08% and 0.3%; MWCNTs: 0.05% and 0.2%) reduced methane production by 7.48%−31.72% in Guiyang soil and 3.32%−31.24% in Fuyang soil, with decrease in SOM decomposition of 32.19%−47.87% and 19.60%−33.09%, respectively. However, the CH₄/TIC (total inorganic carbon) ratio was elevated (by 3.17% to 61.92%) after nanoparticles amendment, suggested that TIC production was more significantly suppressed than CH₄. The Prolixibacteraceae, which usually involve in organic macromolecule decomposition, decreased in relative abundance with inhibition of CH₄ production by nanoparticles in both soils, suggesting their sensitivity to nanoparticles. In contrast, the relative abundances of many microbial populations increased with the intensified inhibition of soil mineralization by nanoparticles in both soils. Especially, Sedimentibacter and Melioribacterae increased with inhibition of CH₄ by nanoparticles, and Clostridiaceae, Minicystis as well as Rhodomicrobium increased with the CH₄/TIC ratio in both soils, probably because they might provide substrates for methanogens. These results suggested that nanoparticles not only inhibit the decomposition of SOM but also change the fate of decomposed carbon through modulating microbial populations, leading to a substantial increase in the proportion of CH₄ produced from SOM decomposition.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

nanoFe ₃O ₄ / multi-walled carbon nanotubes / paddy soil / anaerobic decomposition / microbial community

Highlight

	● Nanoparticles inhibit anaerobic decomposition of SOM, with a more severe suppression on CO2 than CH4 production.
	● The Prolixibacteraceae in anaerobic paddy soils are sensitive to nanoparticles.
	● Microbial populations stimulated by nanoparticles probably contribute to the increase of CH4/TIC ratio in paddy soils.

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