Microplastic effects on soil nitrogen cycling enzymes: A global meta-analysis of environmental and edaphic factors

Microplastic accumulation in soil ecosystems poses significant environmental concerns, potentially impacting nitrogen cycling processes and ecosystem health. This meta-analysis of 147 studies (1138 data points) assessed the impact of microplastics (MPs) on soil nitrogen-acquisition enzymes. We found that MPs exposure significantly increased soil urease (UE) and leucine aminopeptidase activities by 7.6 % and 8.0 %, respectively, while N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase activity was not significantly affected. Biodegradable MPs showed more pronounced effects compared to conventional MPs. Enzyme activities were influenced by MPs properties (e.g., polymer type, size, concentration), experimental conditions (e.g., field or laboratory setting, temperature, nitrogen fertilization), and soil properties (e.g., clay content, pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen). For instance, acidic soils enhanced UE activity, while neutral soils reduced it. These findings emphasize the complex interactions between MPs and soil ecosystems, highlighting the need for context-specific environmental management strategies and policy-making approaches to mitigate the impacts of MPs pollution on soil health.