Influence of different types of nanomaterials on soil enzyme activity: A global meta-analysis

• Published in: Nano today 2022-02, Vol.42, p.101345, Article 101345
• Main Authors: Lin, Jiajiang, Ma, Kayan, Chen, Huaihai, Chen, Zuliang, Xing, Baoshan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Meta-analysis; Microbial biomass carbon; Nanomaterials; Soil enzyme activity; Soil respiration
• ISSN: 1748-0132; 1878-044X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nantod.2021.101345

•A global meta-analysis of soil enzyme activity to engineered nanomaterials (NMs).•Toxic effects largely depend on NM types rather than enzyme variety.•Ag, Cu, and C NMs show significant toxic effect on enzyme or microbial activity.•Fe and Zn NMs displayed little inhibitory, or even stimulating, influence.•Exposure dose and time, soil organic matter and pH are also key factors. [Display omitted] Engineered nanomaterials (NMs) have been widely used and could be released to soil environments, yet a consensus has not been reached on how soil enzyme activity, one of the most important indicators of soil health, responds to NMs exposure. Here, a global meta-analysis of 73 studies was carried out to examine the influence of NMs exposure on soil enzyme activity. Our results showed that the NM type was the most decisive factor, as Ag and Cu NMs had significant negative effects on soil enzyme activity. Carbon (C) NMs showed a negative effect on microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and most enzymes except dehydrogenase and soil respiration. Ti NMs only reduced soil respiration and urease activity. Zn NMs exerted no negative effect on all tested enzymes except dehydrogenase. Fe NMs had no negative effect on all tested enzymes, but stimulated the activity of acid phosphatase. The results also revealed that the response of β-glucosidase and dehydrogenase to NMs were similar to soil MBC and soil respiration, respectively. In addition, the inhibition of C, Ag, and Cu NMs on enzymes increases with dose. The exposure duration also regulated the effect of NMs on enzymes, which decreased with exposure longer than 10–20 days. Effects of NMs are also highly dependent on soil properties, for instance, the effect of Ag NMs on soil enzyme activity was weaker in organic matter-rich soils (>2%) or acidic soils (pH