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Effects of microplastics on humification and fungal community during cow manure composting
Yanting Zhou1, Yue Sun1, Jili Liu2
1College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China.
Abstract:
The effect of microplastics (MPs) on the biological treatment of organic waste has been extensively studied, but little is known about the influence of different MPs on composting humification and the fungal community. In this study, PE, PVC, and PHA MPs were individually mixed with cow dung and sawdust and then composted. The results showed that different MPs had various influences on humification, and the humic acid to fulvic acid ratio of all MP-added treatments (0.44-0.83) was lower than that of the control (0.91). During the composting process, Ascomycota (26.32-89.14%) and Basidiomycota (0.47-4.78%) are the dominant phyla in all treatments and all microplastics decreased the diversity and richness of the fungal community at the thermophilic stage of composting. Exposure to MPs had an obvious effect on the fungal community at the genus level, and the addition of PHA and PE MPs increased the relative abundance of phytopathogenic fungi. LEfSe and network analysis indicated that MPs reduced the number of biomarkers and led to a simpler and more unstable fungal community structure compared to the control. This study has important implications for assessing microplastic pollution and organic waste disposal.
Insights
Microplastics (MPs) negatively impact organic waste composting by altering humification and reducing fungal diversity. Specific MPs like PHA and PE increased harmful fungi, destabilizing the microbial community.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Soil Science
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) are emerging environmental contaminants.
- Their impact on organic waste composting, particularly humification and fungal communities, is poorly understood.
- Different types of MPs may exert varied effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) microplastics on the humification process during organic waste composting.
- To analyze the effects of these MPs on the fungal community structure and diversity.
- To assess the implications for microplastic pollution and waste management.
Main Methods:
- Cow dung and sawdust were composted with individual additions of PE, PVC, and PHA microplastics.
- Humification was assessed by analyzing the humic acid to fulvic acid ratio.
- Fungal community composition and diversity were analyzed using molecular techniques.
- LEfSe and network analysis were employed to understand community structure changes.
Main Results:
- All tested microplastics altered humification, lowering the humic acid to fulvic acid ratio compared to the control.
- Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were dominant fungal phyla across all treatments.
- Microplastics reduced fungal diversity and richness, particularly at the thermophilic stage.
- PHA and PE MPs increased the abundance of phytopathogenic fungi.
- Microplastics led to a less diverse, more unstable fungal community structure.
Conclusions:
- Different microplastics exert varying influences on organic waste composting humification and fungal communities.
- Microplastic contamination poses risks to the stability and function of composting microbial ecosystems.
- Findings highlight the need to consider microplastic impacts in waste management and environmental pollution assessments.
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