High concentrations of polyethylene microplastics restrain the growth of Cinnamomum camphora seedling by reducing soil water holding capacity

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 2024-12, Vol.290, p.117583, Article 117583
• Main Authors: Yang, Run, Wang, Jinping, Fang, Huanying, Xia, Jinwen, Huang, Guomin, Huang, Rongzhen, Zhang, Hong, Zhu, Liqin, Zhang, Lichao, Yuan, Jihong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cinnamomum camphor; Microbial diversity; Microplastic accumulation; Seedling growth; Soil physicochemical property
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117583

The accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in soils due to anthropogenic activities affects the growth and development of plants and thereby endangering the diversity and function of ecosystems. Although there is an increasing number of studies exploring the effects of MPs on plants in recent days, most of them focus on crops only. However, few studies have been conducted on woody plants that play a prominent role in ecosystems, while crucial edaphic factors which potentially restrain plant growth in MP-contaminated soils are yet to be revealed. In the current study, a 6-month pot experiment was conducted to investigate the inhibitory effect of soil polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) (average size of 6.5 µm) with increasing concentrations (0, 0.1 %, 0.5 %, 1 %, and 2 % w/w) on the growth of Cinnamomum camphora seedlings. The relationships between seedling growth and soil properties were also explored. The results showed that low concentrations of PE-MPs (not larger than 0.5 % in soils) did not restrain seedling growth, while the PE-MP concentrations of 1 % and 2 % decreased the net growth of ground diameter by 38.8 % (p