Soil Decomposer Can Regulate the Legacy Effect of Photodegradation on Forest Marcescent Litter Decomposition, but Emerging Microplastics Disrupt This
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Photodegradation enhances litter decomposition, but soil animals can inhibit this effect. Microplastics disrupt this balance, making forests more vulnerable to photodegradation impacts on litter.
Area Of Science
- Forest Ecology
- Biogeochemical Cycles
- Environmental Science
Background
- Photodegradation-photochemical mineralization of standing litters (PLE) aids soil biodegradation, a process often overlooked in forests with marcescent leaves.
- Anthropogenic microplastic contamination in forest ecosystems is increasing, with unknown effects on PLE and subsequent litter decomposition.
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate how decomposers (microbial and soil animals) and microplastic contamination interact to affect the photodegradation-induced legacy effect on litter bio-decomposition.
- To quantify the impact of abiotic photodegradation on litter chemistry and its role in early-phase decomposition.
Main Methods
- Utilized an ultraviolet-accelerated aging chamber to simulate abiotic photodegradation of *Lindera glauca* litter.
- Conducted manipulated mesocosm bio-incubations with varying decomposer communities (microbial alone or with soil animals) and microplastic contamination levels.
Main Results
- Abiotic photodegradation significantly reduced litter lignin content.
- Lignin loss was substantial during early decomposition, influencing how soil animals and photodegradation impacted bio-decomposition.
- Microbial decomposers alone promoted PLE; soil animals inhibited microbial biomass and PLE in unpolluted soils but enhanced PLE in microplastic-contaminated soils.
Conclusions
- Decomposer interactions can modulate PLE, but microplastics disrupt this equilibrium.
- Microplastic contamination increases soil susceptibility to photodegradation-induced litter chemical changes, impacting forest biogeochemical cycles.
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