Review of soil carbon cycling processes involving microplastics

ZHU Zhihong; ZHANG Jin; GAO Xiaodan; TAO Zhao; MA Nan; XU Yingde

doi:10.12357/cjea.20230460

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ZHU Z H, ZHANG J, GAO X D, TAO Z, MA N, XU Y D. Review of soil carbon cycling processes involving microplastics[J]. Chinese Journal of Eco-Agriculture, 2023, 31(0): 1−9 doi: 10.12357/cjea.20230460

Citation:

ZHU Z H, ZHANG J, GAO X D, TAO Z, MA N, XU Y D. Review of soil carbon cycling processes involving microplastics[J]. Chinese Journal of Eco-Agriculture, 2023, 31(0): 1−9 doi: 10.12357/cjea.20230460

Citation:

ZHU Z H, ZHANG J, GAO X D, TAO Z, MA N, XU Y D. Review of soil carbon cycling processes involving microplastics[J]. Chinese Journal of Eco-Agriculture, 2023, 31(0): 1−9 doi: 10.12357/cjea.20230460

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Review of soil carbon cycling processes involving microplastics

doi: 10.12357/cjea.20230460

College of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China

Funds: This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (42207383), the Scientific Research Funds Project of Education Department of Liaoning Province (LJKZ0662), and the National Key R&D Program of China (2021YFD1500202).

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Corresponding author: E-mail: yingdexu@126.com
Received Date: 2023-08-22
Accepted Date: 2023-09-27
Rev Recd Date: 2023-10-02

Available Online: 2023-10-15

Abstract

Abstract

Soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration is a key process driving soil fertility evolution and carbon (C) balance in terrestrial ecosystem. The impacts of microplastics on soil properties and processes have received increasing attention due to their persistence and ecological risks in soil ecosystem. However, the role and effect of microplastics on SOC cycling are still unclear. Microplastics can affect the sequestration and mineralization of SOC by indirectly influencing soil physical and chemical properties, and directly participating in the soil C cycle, which further exacerbates the uncertainty of the SOC cycle process. Based on this background, this study outlined the development of SOC sequestration pathways, summarized the sources of microplastics in soils, explained the effects of microplastics on different soil C pools, and deeply discussed the possible mechanisms of microplastics regulating the soil C cycle. Finally, we summarized and prospected the research on SOC cycle involving microplastics. The results showed that microplastics could impact SOC balance by affecting the formation and destruction of soil physical structure, microbial community structure diversity, enzyme activity and functional genes, biofilm formation, animal reproduction and growth, plant growth and root deposition. Meanwhile, microplastics could directly affect SOC cycle by participating in the entire soil biogeochemical cycle. However, related research is still in its infancy, and how to choose scientific methods to distinguish and couple microplastic turnover and SOC cycle is difficult. In future research, it is necessary to further distinguish the contribution potential of microplastic-derived C in different SOC pools, to explore the coupling mechanism of microplastics directly and indirectly affecting the SOC cycle, and to carry out research on the participation of microplastics in the process of SOC cycle under the influence of multi factors through the embedding and improvement of advanced soil study methods, as well as the innovation and crossover of research ideas.
- Microplastics,
- Soil organic carbon,
- Soil carbon cycling

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References(71)

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