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Related Concept Videos

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Unlike carbon, water, and nitrogen, phosphorus is not present in the atmosphere as a gas. Instead, most phosphorus in the ecosystem exists as compounds, such as phosphate ions (PO43-), found in soil, water, sediment and rocks. Phosphorus is often a limiting nutrient (i.e., in short supply). Consequently, phosphorus is added to most agricultural fertilizers, which can cause environmental problems related to runoff in aquatic ecosystems.
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Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 12, 2025

Quantification of Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate-based Micro- and Nano-plastics from Soil Using Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
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Quantification of Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate-based Micro- and Nano-plastics from Soil Using Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

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Short-term effects of polyethene and polypropylene microplastics on soil phosphorus and nitrogen availability.

Haixiao Li1, Le Liu2

  • 1School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hubei Polytechnic University, Hubei, Huangshi, 435003, China.

Chemosphere
|November 21, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Microplastics significantly impact soil nutrients, decreasing phosphate and increasing ammonium levels. Further research is needed to understand these effects on nitrogen and phosphorus cycling in soils.

Keywords:
Ion-exchange membraneMicrobial communitiesMicroplastic degradationNutrient adsorptionSoil aggregation

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Area of Science:

  • Soil Science
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Microplastics pose an emerging threat to soil ecosystems.
  • Limited understanding exists regarding microplastic impacts on soil nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of polyethene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) microplastics on soil N and P availability.
  • To analyze microplastic influence on soil available phosphate, nitrate, and ammonium under varying fertilization conditions.

Main Methods:

  • A three-month soil incubation experiment.
  • In-situ determination of soil phosphorus and nitrogen availability using the ion-exchange membrane method.
  • Analysis of microplastic surface chemistry (FTIR) and specific surface area (BET).
  • 16s rRNA sequencing for soil bacterial communities and soil pH measurement post-incubation.

Main Results:

  • Microplastics significantly decreased soil available phosphate content (from 122.61 to 63.43 mg P L⁻¹).
  • Polypropylene (PP) microplastics significantly increased soil available ammonium content (from 0.94 to 1.53 mg N L⁻¹).
  • Microplastics exhibited undetectable specific surface area and minimal impact on soil microorganisms.

Conclusions:

  • Microplastic presence significantly alters soil phosphorus and nitrogen availability.
  • Adsorption and microorganism alteration are unlikely to be the primary mechanisms driving these observed effects.