Seasonal variations and feedback from microplastics and cadmium on soil organisms in agricultural fields

• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107096
• Publication Date: 2022-01-21T09:55:33Z
• Authors: Xiaofeng Jiang; Yang Yang; Qian Wang; Na Liu; Mei Li
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; Microplastics; Seasonal variations; 15. Life on land; 01 natural sciences; 630; 6. Clean water; Feedback; Environmental sciences; Soil; Plastic film mulching; 13. Climate action; Multiomics techniques; Soil Pollutants; GE1-350; Polyethylene microplastics; Seasons; Plastics; Ecosystem; Cadmium; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

Plastic film mulching is an important agricultural technology that plays a critical role in increasing crop yield and maintaining soil moisture. However, long-term coverage untimely recovery lead to large amount of plastic residues soils. This decomposes into smaller plastics over time, which can reduce sowing quality, destroy the structure, have adverse effects on organisms. In this study, seasonal variations correlations microplastics cadmium (Cd) Wuxi farmland soils Taihu Lake, China, were investigated spring winter. The mainly form films, fibers, debris transparent black color. Microplastic abundance reached 890 particles/kg soil, with majority (>72.5%) being 0-500 μm. Polyethylene main polymers, accounting for >54.65%. addition, winter was significantly correlated Cd, indicating heavy metals present risk coexposure Furthermore, response situ earthworms microplastic-Cd pollution revealed be used as vector transfer environment may accumulate bodies Multiomics techniques demonstrated bacterial community structure dysbiosis metabolic changes under microplastic metal-contaminated earthworm casts intestines higher than samples. These results reveal potential risks from entering metal ecosystems.