Effects of micro(nano)plastics on soil nutrient cycling: State of the knowledge

Muhammad Salam; Huaili Zheng; Yingying Liu; Aneeqa Zaib; Syed Aziz Ur Rehman; Nimra Riaz; Moataz Eliw; Faisal Hayat; Hong Li; Fayuan Wang

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118437

Effects of micro(nano)plastics on soil nutrient cycling: State of the knowledge

J Environ Manage. 2023 Oct 15:344:118437. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118437. Epub 2023 Jun 19.

Authors

Muhammad Salam¹, Huaili Zheng¹, Yingying Liu², Aneeqa Zaib³, Syed Aziz Ur Rehman⁴, Nimra Riaz⁴, Moataz Eliw⁵, Faisal Hayat⁶, Hong Li⁷, Fayuan Wang⁸

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Eco-Environment of Three Gorges Region, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
² College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266042, China.
³ Department of Environmental Science, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
⁴ Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 54000, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
⁵ Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Assiut 71524, Egypt.
⁶ Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China.
⁷ Key Laboratory of Eco-Environment of Three Gorges Region, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China. Electronic address: hongli@cqu.edu.cn.
⁸ College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266042, China. Electronic address: wangfayuan@qust.edu.cn.

PMID: 37343476
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118437

Abstract

The ecological impacts of micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) have attracted attention worldwide because of their global occurrence, persistence, and environmental risks. Increasing evidence shows that MNPs can affect soil nutrient cycling, but the latest advances on this topic have not systematically reviewed. Here, we aim to present the state of knowledge about the effects of MNPs on soil nutrient cycling, particularly of C, N, and P. Using the latest data, the present review mainly focuses on three aspects, including (1) the effects and underlying mechanisms of MNPs on soil nutrient cycling, particularly of C, N and P, (2) the factors influencing the effects of MNPs on soil nutrient cycling, and (3) the knowledge gaps and future directions. We conclude that MNPs can alter soil nutrient cycling via mediating soil nutrient availability, soil enzyme activities, functional microbial communities, and their potential ecological functions. Furthermore, the effects of MNPs vary with MNPs characteristics (i.e., polymeric type, size, dosage, and shape), chemical additives, soil physicochemical conditions, and soil biota. Considering the complexity of MNP-soil interactions, multi-scale experiments using environmental relevant MNPs are required to shed light on the effects of MNPs on soil nutrients. By learning how MNPs influence soil nutrients cycles, this review can guide policy and management decisions to safeguard soil health and ensure sustainable agriculture and land use practices.

Keywords: Global change; Microplastics; Nanoplastics; Nutrient transformation; Soil nutrients.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Agriculture
Plastics*
Soil*

Substances

Soil
Plastics