Global Meta-Analysis Integrated with Machine Learning Assesses Context-Dependent Microplastic Effects on Soil Microbial Biomass Carbon and Nitrogen

Microplastics (MPs) in soil can paradoxically stimulate microbial biomass in a highly context-dependent manner, potentially inducing decomposition and affecting carbon and nitrogen cycles. We conducted a global meta-analysis with 90 studies (710 observations of microbial biomass carbon (MBC), 354 of microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN)) integrated with machine learning to quantify MPs effects on soil microbial biomass. Field studies showed no significant effects, contrasting with controlled experiments where MPs increased MBC by 9.6% (95% CI: 7.2-11.9%) and MBN by 10.4% (6.8-14.0%). Biodegradable plastics (PBAT, PLA) induced stronger effects (36.1-67.6%) than conventional polymers (PE, PP, PS, PVC). Temperature emerged as the dominant factor, with a contrasting MPs effect on MBC (positive) and MBN (negative) at higher temperatures, suggesting potential decoupling of carbon and nitrogen cycles under warming conditions. Machine learning models (XGBoost, <i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.62) significantly outperformed linear regressions (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.02-0.05), revealing nonlinear responses and threshold effects. Stimulatory effects were most significant for medium-sized MPs (30-90 μm), at high concentrations (>10 g kg<sup>-1</sup>), and in soils with intermediate fertility, highlighting context-dependent risks to soil carbon and nitrogen cycling.

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Publication Details

Journal
Environmental Science & Technology
Published
2025-11-08
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5c12883
Citations
3
Primary Topic
Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.51
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article

Global Meta-Analysis Integrated with Machine Learning Assesses Context-Dependent Microplastic Effects on Soil Microbial Biomass Carbon and Nitrogen

Jiachang Zhang, Yuan Li, Luca Nizzetto, Josep Peñuelas et al.
3 citations
Environmental Science & Technology
Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
1.51
article

Global Meta-Analysis Integrated with Machine Learning Assesses Context-Dependent Microplastic Effects on Soil Microbial Biomass Carbon and Nitrogen

Jiachang Zhang, Yuan Li, Luca Nizzetto, Josep Peñuelas, Yangzhou Xiang, Ying Liu, Matthias C. Rillig, Bin Yao, Long Jian, Rui Li, Yang Luo, Jordi Sardans
article en
3 citations

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) in soil can paradoxically stimulate microbial biomass in a highly context-dependent manner, potentially inducing decomposition and affecting carbon and nitrogen cycles. We conducted a global meta-analysis with 90 studies (710 observations of microbial biomass carbon (MBC), 354 of microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN)) integrated with machine learning to quantify MPs effects on soil microbial biomass. Field studies showed no significant effects, contrasting with controlled experiments where MPs increased MBC by 9.6% (95% CI: 7.2-11.9%) and MBN by 10.4% (6.8-14.0%). Biodegradable plastics (PBAT, PLA) induced stronger effects (36.1-67.6%) than conventional polymers (PE, PP, PS, PVC). Temperature emerged as the dominant factor, with a contrasting MPs effect on MBC (positive) and MBN (negative) at higher temperatures, suggesting potential decoupling of carbon and nitrogen cycles under warming conditions. Machine learning models (XGBoost, <i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.62) significantly outperformed linear regressions (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.02-0.05), revealing nonlinear responses and threshold effects. Stimulatory effects were most significant for medium-sized MPs (30-90 μm), at high concentrations (>10 g kg<sup>-1</sup>), and in soils with intermediate fertility, highlighting context-dependent risks to soil carbon and nitrogen cycling.

Environmental Science & TechnologyVol. 59(49)
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ES), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Lanzhou University of Technology (CN), Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NO), Natural Resources Institute Finland (FI), Guizhou Education University (CN), Institute of Geography (KZ), Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources (CN), Forestry Research Centre (IT), Berlin Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (DE), Chinese Academy of Forestry (CN), Centre for Research on Ecology and Forestry Applications (ES), Research Institute of Forestry (CN), Ecological Consulting (Czechia) (CZ), HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research (HU), Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection (CN), Institute of Geography of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SK), State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Freie Universität Berlin (DE)
Openalex Percentile: Top 17%
Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
1.51
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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