The Soil Microplastics Observatory (SMO): Observing the impacts of synchronous inputs of plastics in the soil rhizosphere

Sulari Anthony1, Mirza Becevic2, Christiana Bogner3, Martin Löder4, Eva Lehndorff2, Tillmann Lüders1
1 Ecological Microbiology, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER),University of Bayreuth, Germany
2 Soil Ecology, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER),University of Bayreuth, Germany
3 Ecosystem Analysis, Department of Geography, University of Cologne, Germany
4 Animal Ecology I, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, Germany

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Microplastic (MP) particles are a growing concern, found nearly everywhere globally, yet their impact on the soil rhizosphere remains poorly understood.MP enters agricultural soils primarily near the surface through farming practices or atmospheric deposition. A complex interaction of abiotic and biotic factors influences how microplastics affect the rhizosphere and plants. MP distribution is uneven across soil depths, accumulating in the rhizosphere due to root growth and water uptake.

Our study aims to address critical research questions regarding the effect of MP in rhizosphere soil and microbiome. We established the Soil Microplastic Observatory (SMO) at the Ecological Botanical Garden of the University of Bayreuth. The experiment involved 32 randomized plots, each with strawberries or a grass mixture. In 16 plots, the top 2.5 cm of soil were mixed with environmentally relevant MP particles (PS, PE, PET, and PP, size <125 µm) to simulate atmospheric deposition. Additionally, 1mm2 films of PBAT and LDPE were added to strawberry plots to stimulate the agricultural mulching. The remaining 16 plots serve as untreated controls. Sensors and data loggers were installed in eight plots to monitor temperature, moisture, and water potential. MP particles were labelled with Indium and Rhodamine B for tracking.

The presence of MP in the soil over time will be characterized using TD-GC-MS/MS. Important physicochemical soil parameters will be measured, while qPCR analysis will assess microbial abundances. MPs recovered via isopycnic extraction will be analysed for microbial colonization through fluorescence microscopy and amplicon sequencing.

We postulate that small, charged, and non-aggregated MP particles will preferentially accumulate in the rhizosphere. The results of this study can be used to enhance knowledge of the effect of MP in the agricultural field.



Keywords: Microplastic Particles, Agricultural Soil, Rhizosphere, Microbial Community
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