Summary
This comprehensive review examines how microplastics (particles <5 mm) contaminating terrestrial ecosystems—particularly agricultural and wetland soils—alter the soil-plant-microbe interactions critical to soil functioning and plant nutrition. The authors analyse mechanisms by which microplastics modify soil properties, shift microbial community structure and enzymatic activity in the rhizosphere, and disrupt plant-microbe symbiotic relationships, with cascading effects on nutrient cycling and plant growth. The review identifies knowledge gaps and proposes future research directions, including investigation of combined contaminant effects, advanced detection technologies, and microbial engineering approaches for remediation.
Regional applicability
This review addresses a global soil contamination challenge with particular relevance to intensive agricultural systems. United Kingdom agricultural and wetland soils are likely affected by microplastic accumulation; findings on rhizosphere disruption and nutrient cycling impacts are directly applicable to UK farming systems and soil health policy, though region-specific quantification of microplastic loading and effects in UK conditions would strengthen local applicability.
Key measures
Soil physicochemical properties, microbial community composition, enzymatic activities in the rhizosphere, plant growth metrics, nutrient availability and uptake, nutrient cycling rates, effects on mycorrhizal associations and nitrogen-fixing symbioses
Outcomes reported
This comprehensive review synthesises evidence on how microplastics alter soil physicochemical properties, microbial community composition, enzymatic activities, and plant-microbe symbiotic relationships (mycorrhizal associations and nitrogen-fixing symbioses). The paper identifies mechanisms by which microplastics disrupt nutrient availability and uptake, ultimately impacting plant growth and ecosystem-level nutrient fluxes.
Topic tags
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