Effect of microplastics on organic matter decomposition in paddy soil amended with crop residues and labile C: A three-source-partitioning study

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are a widespread pollutant in terrestrial ecosystems. However, knowledge on how MPs impact soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition and the priming effect (PE) in rice paddy soil remains limited. By employing a three-source-partitioning approach, we investigated the interactive impact of MP dosage (none, low [0.01% w/w] or high [1% w/w]), labile C (¹⁴C-labeled glucose), and ¹³C-labeled rice straw addition on SOM decomposition and PE. Compared to soil without C addition (i.e., control), total SOM-derived CO₂ in low-MP soil declined by 13.2% and 7.1% after straw and glucose addition, respectively. Under combined glucose and rice straw addition, glucose-induced PE was up to 10 times stronger in the presence of low-MPs compared to that in high-MPs. However, glucose induced negative PE on rice straw decomposition in the presence of MPs. SOM decomposition was much higher under low MP dosage than under high MP dosage. However, MPs had a negligible effect on the mineralization of exogenous C substrate (glucose or straw). This study provides a novel and valuable insight on how MPs affect SOM turnover and C sequestration in paddy soil, highlighting the significance of interactions between environmental pollutants and biogeochemical processes that affect CO₂ fluxes.

Keywords: (13)C & (14)C isotopic labeling; C cycling; Priming effect; Soil organic carbon; Straw returning.