Microplastic effects on carbon cycling processes in soils.
PLoS Biol
; 19(3): e3001130, 2021 03.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33784293
ABSTRACT
Microplastics (MPs), plastic particles <5 mm, are found in environments, including terrestrial ecosystems, planetwide. Most research so far has focused on ecotoxicology, examining effects on performance of soil biota in controlled settings. As research pivots to a more ecosystem and global change perspective, questions about soil-borne biogeochemical cycles become important. MPs can affect the carbon cycle in numerous ways, for example, by being carbon themselves and by influencing soil microbial processes, plant growth, or litter decomposition. Great uncertainty surrounds nano-sized plastic particles, an expected by-product of further fragmentation of MPs. A major concerted effort is required to understand the pervasive effects of MPs on the functioning of soils and terrestrial ecosystems; importantly, such research needs to capture the immense diversity of these particles in terms of chemistry, aging, size, and shape.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Soil
/
Carbon Cycle
/
Microplastics
Language:
En
Journal:
PLoS Biol
Journal subject:
BIOLOGIA
Year:
2021
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Germany