Impact of microplastics on lead-contaminated riverine sediments: Based on the enzyme activities, DOM fractions, and bacterial community structure

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are able to interact with diverse contaminants in sediments. However, the impacts of MPs on sediment properties and bacterial community structure in heavy metal-contaminated sediments remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the adsorption of Pb(II) by sediment-MPs mixtures and the effects of different concentration MPs on sediment enzyme activities, DOM fractions, and Pb bioavailability in riverine sediments, and further explored the response of sediment microbial community to Pb in the presence of MPs. The results indicated that the addition of MPs significantly decreased the adsorption amount of Pb(II) by sediments, especially decreased by 12.6% at 10% MPs treatment. Besides, the changes in enzyme activities, DOM fractions exhibited dose-dependent effects of MPs. The higher level of MPs (5% and 10%) tends to transform Pb into more bioavailable fractions in sediments. Also, MPs amendment was observed to alter sediment bacterial community structures, and community differences were evident in the uncontaminated and lead-contaminated sediments. Therein, significant increase of Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria and decrease of Firmicutes abundance in Pb-contaminated sediment at the phylum level were observed. These findings are expected to provide comprehensive information for assessing the combined ecological risks of heavy metals and MPs in riverine sediments.

Keywords: Combined exposure; Lead; Microbial community; Microplastics; Sediments properties.