Degradation of polyethylene plastic in soil and effects on microbial community composition

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials Vol. 416; p. 126173
• Main Authors: Huang, Daofen, Xu, Yibo, Lei, Fadan, Yu, Xiaoqin, Ouyang, Zhuozhi, Chen, Yanhua, Jia, Hanzhong, Guo, Xuetao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.08.2021
• Subjects: community structure; Degradation; environmental impact; human health; Interaction; microbial colonization; microbial communities; Microbial Community; pollution; Polyethylene; Soil; soil microorganisms; terrestrial ecosystems; weight loss; Degradation; Soil; Polyethylene; Microbial Community; Interaction
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126173

Plastics pollution in global soil systems is becoming a severely global issue and potential threat to terrestrial ecosystem serves and human health. Herein, in order to determine the degradability and ecological effects of polyethylene (PE) films, we measured the weight loss and characterization of PE films and analyzed variation in microbial community. The results of weight loss, SEM and FTIR spectra exhibited that PE films had unique degradation performance under different conditions. Simultaneously, we investigated the effects of PE films on the microbial community, and the microbiota colonizing on plastics. PE films may change the soil microbial community composition in soil, and hold the post of unique matrix for microbial colonization. These results indicate that the degradation of PE films and microbial community composition in soil can be affected by different conditions (soil layer, time and plants). By assessing the alteration of microbial community composition and PE films in soil, this work will contribute to enhance our understanding on the potential risks of plastics on soil ecosystems and provide a scientific basis for understanding the ecological effect of plastics on soil functions. [Display omitted] •Degradation characteristics of PE films in soil were assessed.•PE films have different effects on microbial community under different conditions.•Compared with soil, PE films surfaces have unique microbial community composition.•The interactions between PE films and soil microbial community were explored.