Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 3, 2026

Separation and Identification of Conventional Microplastics from Farmland Soils
Published on: March 21, 2025
From carrier to reactor: How microplastic as a mobile source of dissolved organic matter reshapes soil carbon cycling
Guo Yu1, Haoyu Zhang2, Kaiyang Ying2
1Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control Theory and Technology, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541006, China; Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Laboratory of Iron and Steel Industry Environmental Protection, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; University Engineering Research Center of Watershed Protection and Green Development, Guangxi, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541006, China; Key Laboratory of Carbon Emission and Pollutant Collaborative Control, Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541006, China.
Abstract:
Soil microplastic (MP) pollution is a growing global concern, with MPs ubiquitously detected across ecosystems. This review systematically examines the multifaceted interactions between MPs and soil dissolved organic matter (DOM), focusing on three core mechanisms: physical adsorption, chemical reactions, and microbial mediation. We highlight how MPs transition from passive carriers to active reactors of DOM, influencing DOM molecular diversity, stability, and environmental persistence. Key findings include the role of MP aging in generating reactive oxygen species that accelerate DOM mineralization, and the formation of MPs-DOM complexes that act as mobile vectors for co-transporting contaminants. Notably, microbial colonization forms the "plastisphere" biofilm, which becomes a key interface for DOM transformation and significantly influences carbon cycling. Furthermore, biodegradable MPs induce a strong priming effect, accelerating the loss of native soil organic carbon. This synthesis bridges critical knowledge gaps and provides a scientific basis for risk assessment and policy-making in soil pollution control.
Related Concept Videos
Microbes and the Carbon Cycle
Soil Microbial Ecology
Freshwater Microbial Ecology
Marine Microbial Ecology
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
Bioplastics

