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<p>Microplastic-heavy metal co-contamination is an emerging threat to soil ecosystems, yet the mechanisms by which biochar restores soil functionality remain poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of biochar amendment on soil quality, enzyme activities, and microbial communities under co-contamination conditions. We simulated compound pollution by introducing polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) along with lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) into soil, and evaluated the remediation potential of straw biochar (SBR) and wood-chip biochar (WCB). The results showed that PS-MPs significantly reduced soil pH, soil organic matter (SOM), and total nitrogen (TN). These changes altered the microbial community structure by decreasing the abundance of <i>Proteobacteria</i> while increasing that of <i>Thermoanaerobacterium</i> and <i>Cellulomonas</i>, and suppressed key enzyme activities, including sucrase (SU), urease (UA), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). In contrast, biochar amendment alleviated soil acidification, enhanced SOM, available potassium (AK), available phosphorus (AP), and TN, and stimulated enzyme activities. SBR proved more effective than WCB, particularly in promoting enzymatic activity. Although biochar reduced overall microbial abundance, it increased diversity. Specifically, SBR enriched for <i>Acidobacteria</i> and <i>Chloroflexi</i>, reduced <i>Bacteroidetes</i>, and significantly increased <i>Anaerolinea</i>, thereby facilitating nitrogen cycling. This study elucidates the synergistic mechanisms through which biochar mitigates complex soil pollution, providing insights into microbial–enzymatic recovery and a scientific basis for managing co-contaminated soils.</p>

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Microplastics Inhibit Microbial Abundance and Enzyme Activities in Pb/Cd Co-contaminated Soil: The Alleviating Role of Biochar

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月6日

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  • Si-Yu Liu,
  • Feng Han,
  • Li-Qi Ma,
  • Zheng Li,
  • Chun-Ru Qin,
  • Ikram Yaqine

摘要

Microplastic-heavy metal co-contamination is an emerging threat to soil ecosystems, yet the mechanisms by which biochar restores soil functionality remain poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of biochar amendment on soil quality, enzyme activities, and microbial communities under co-contamination conditions. We simulated compound pollution by introducing polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) along with lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) into soil, and evaluated the remediation potential of straw biochar (SBR) and wood-chip biochar (WCB). The results showed that PS-MPs significantly reduced soil pH, soil organic matter (SOM), and total nitrogen (TN). These changes altered the microbial community structure by decreasing the abundance of Proteobacteria while increasing that of Thermoanaerobacterium and Cellulomonas, and suppressed key enzyme activities, including sucrase (SU), urease (UA), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). In contrast, biochar amendment alleviated soil acidification, enhanced SOM, available potassium (AK), available phosphorus (AP), and TN, and stimulated enzyme activities. SBR proved more effective than WCB, particularly in promoting enzymatic activity. Although biochar reduced overall microbial abundance, it increased diversity. Specifically, SBR enriched for Acidobacteria and Chloroflexi, reduced Bacteroidetes, and significantly increased Anaerolinea, thereby facilitating nitrogen cycling. This study elucidates the synergistic mechanisms through which biochar mitigates complex soil pollution, providing insights into microbial–enzymatic recovery and a scientific basis for managing co-contaminated soils.