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<p>Widespread use of polyethylene (PE) plastic mulch in agricultural systems has increased concerns regarding microplastic (MP) accumulation, particularly in loessial soils that are inherently susceptible to structural degradation and erosion. This study investigated the effects of PE microplastic particles on the physical (water‑stable aggregates, bulk density), chemical (pH, soil organic matter, total nitrogen), and biological (microbial respiration) properties of three dominant loess soil textures (silty loam, silty clay loam, and silty clay) in Golestan Province, northern Iran. A controlled laboratory incubation experiment was conducted using surface soils (0–30&#xa0;cm), amended with PE mulch‑derived particles (0–5&#xa0;mm) at concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4&#xa0;g&#xa0;kg⁻1 dry soil. Soil and microplastic mixtures were initially incubated for 60&#xa0;days to allow stabilization, after which experimental measurements were conducted over a subsequent 120‑day period (4&#xa0;months), with measurements taken at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120&#xa0;days, under controlled conditions of 70% field capacity and 25–28&#xa0;°C. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA with LSD mean comparison (α = 0.05), and all results are reported as mean ± SE (<i>n</i> = 3). Increasing PE concentrations significantly reduced aggregate stability across all soil textures, with more pronounced declines in silty loam and silty clay loam soils. In contrast, microbial respiration, soil organic matter, and total nitrogen generally increased with PE addition, particularly in the silt‑dominated soil. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used exclusively for qualitative identification of polymer‑associated functional groups, confirming the presence of PE‑related C–H bands without evidence of chemical bonding or sorption mechanisms. Overall, soil texture exerted a stronger control on MP effects than PE concentration, highlighting the importance of texture‑specific risk assessment for plastic mulch‑dominated loessial agroecosystems.</p>

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Responses of Biophysicochemical Properties in Loessial Soils to the Impact of Polyethylene Microplastic Particles

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月3日

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  • Soheila Ebrahimi,
  • Charalampos Doulgeris,
  • Roghayeh Karimpoor,
  • Vasiliki Kinigopoulou

摘要

Widespread use of polyethylene (PE) plastic mulch in agricultural systems has increased concerns regarding microplastic (MP) accumulation, particularly in loessial soils that are inherently susceptible to structural degradation and erosion. This study investigated the effects of PE microplastic particles on the physical (water‑stable aggregates, bulk density), chemical (pH, soil organic matter, total nitrogen), and biological (microbial respiration) properties of three dominant loess soil textures (silty loam, silty clay loam, and silty clay) in Golestan Province, northern Iran. A controlled laboratory incubation experiment was conducted using surface soils (0–30 cm), amended with PE mulch‑derived particles (0–5 mm) at concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 g kg⁻1 dry soil. Soil and microplastic mixtures were initially incubated for 60 days to allow stabilization, after which experimental measurements were conducted over a subsequent 120‑day period (4 months), with measurements taken at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days, under controlled conditions of 70% field capacity and 25–28 °C. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA with LSD mean comparison (α = 0.05), and all results are reported as mean ± SE (n = 3). Increasing PE concentrations significantly reduced aggregate stability across all soil textures, with more pronounced declines in silty loam and silty clay loam soils. In contrast, microbial respiration, soil organic matter, and total nitrogen generally increased with PE addition, particularly in the silt‑dominated soil. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used exclusively for qualitative identification of polymer‑associated functional groups, confirming the presence of PE‑related C–H bands without evidence of chemical bonding or sorption mechanisms. Overall, soil texture exerted a stronger control on MP effects than PE concentration, highlighting the importance of texture‑specific risk assessment for plastic mulch‑dominated loessial agroecosystems.