Summary
This laboratory study examined the joint effects of two microplastic types (HDPE and PLA) and zinc oxide nanoparticles on maize growth and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities in spiked soil. High-dose PLA reduced shoot biomass by 16–40% and root biomass by 28–50%, whilst both microplastics increased root zinc accumulation but reduced translocation to aerial parts. Microplastics and ZnO nanoparticles, alone and together, altered AM fungal community composition and diversity, with implications for soil health and agroecosystem functioning.
Regional applicability
This laboratory study uses a controlled spiked-soil system rather than field conditions, limiting direct applicability to United Kingdom agricultural practice. However, the findings are relevant to UK soil health and contamination concerns, as microplastic and engineered nanoparticle accumulation in soils represents an emerging environmental issue with potential consequences for agricultural productivity and microbial functioning across temperate regions.
Key measures
Plant shoot and root biomass, zinc concentrations in roots and aerial plant parts, soil pH, AM fungal community composition and diversity via high-throughput sequencing, relative abundance of dominant fungal genera
Outcomes reported
The study measured plant biomass (shoot and root), zinc accumulation in plant tissues, soil pH, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community composition and diversity in response to microplastic and ZnO nanoparticle contamination. Effects of two microplastic types (HDPE and PLA) were evaluated alone and in combination with ZnO nanoparticles in a controlled soil system.
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