Effects of microplastics exposure on soil inorganic nitrogen : a comprehensive synthesis
Xiang, Yangzhou (Guizhou Education University.School of Geography and Resources)
Peñuelas, Josep (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Sardans i Galobart, Jordi (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Liu, Ying (Guizhou Education University. School of Biological Sciences)
Yao, Bin (Chinese Academy of Forestry. Institute of Ecology Conservation and Restoration)
Li, Yuan (Lanzhou University. The State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems)

Date:	2023
Abstract:	Microplastics, a growing environmental concern, impact soil inorganic nitrogen (N) transformation, specifically affecting water-extractable nitrate N (NO−3 − N) and ammonium N (NH+4 − N). However, inconsistencies among relevant findings necessitate a systematic analysis. Accordingly, the present meta-analysis addresses these discrepancies by evaluating the effects of microplastics on soil inorganic N and identifying key influencing factors. Our meta-analysis of 216 paired observations from 47 studies demonstrates microplastics exposure causes an overall significant reduction of 7. 89% in soil concentration, but has no significant impact on concentration. Subgroup analysis further revealed effects of microplastics on soil inorganic N were modulated by microplastics characteristics, experimental conditions (exposure time, experimental temperature, plant effects), and soil properties (soil texture, initial soil pH, initial soil organic carbon, soil total N concentration). We found that microplastics exposure above 27 ℃ enhances soil concentration, a finding linked to specific soil properties and conditions, underscoring the impacts of global warming. Importantly, the microplastics polymer type was the most influential predictor of effects on soil concentration, while soil concentration was primarily affected by soil texture and microplastics type. These findings illuminate the complex effects of microplastics on soil inorganic N, informing soil management amid increasing microplastics pollution.
Grants:	Agencia Estatal de Investigación TED2021-132627B-I00 Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca SGR/2021-1333
Note:	Altres ajuts: Fundación Ramón Areces grant CIVP20A6621.
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, i la comunicació pública de l'obra, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original. No es permet la creació d'obres derivades.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió acceptada per publicar
Subject:	Ammonium nitrogen ; Microplastics pollution ; Nitrate nitrogen ; Meta-analysis ; Soil health ; Soil nitrogen dynamics
Published in:	Journal of hazardous materials, Vol. 460 (October 2023) , art. 132514, ISSN 1873-3336

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132514

Available from: 2025-10-30 Postprint

The record appears in these collections:
Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > CREAF (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles