Articles | Volume 6, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-6-315-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-6-315-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Effects of microplastic and microglass particles on soil microbial community structure in an arable soil (Chernozem)
Katja Wiedner
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Sustainable Environmental Solutions Consulting UG (SEnSol), Gleichen, Germany
Steven Polifka
Department of Geography, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
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Cited
45 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Effective utilization of waste plastics towards sustainable control of mosquito V. Shaw et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135826
- Low density polyethylene degradation by filamentous fungi F. Spina et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116548
- Can microplastics mediate soil properties, plant growth and carbon/nitrogen turnover in the terrestrial ecosystem? Y. Yao et al. https://doi.org/10.1080/20964129.2022.2133638
- Effects of microplastics on soil carbon dioxide emissions and the microbial functional genes involved in organic carbon decomposition in agricultural soil Y. Zhang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150714
- Potential of micro glass/nano glass/fibreglass as pollutants species in environmental matrices A. Daniyan et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44371-026-00638-0
- Effects of micro(nano)plastics on soil nutrient cycling: State of the knowledge M. Salam et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118437
- Increasing concentration of pure micro- and macro-LDPE and PP plastic negatively affect crop biomass, nutrient cycling, and microbial biomass M. Graf et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131932
- Formation, behavior, properties and impact of micro- and nanoplastics on agricultural soil ecosystems (A Review) A. Astner et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.impact.2023.100474
- Effects of microplastics on the plant-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal symbiotic system: type, size, and concentration H. Hu et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-026-04813-4
- Combined Effects of Polyethylene and Bordeaux Mixture on the Soil–Plant System: Phytotoxicity, Copper Accumulation and Changes in Microbial Abundance S. Romeo-Río et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15151657
- Impacts and mechanism of biodegradable microplastics on lake sediment properties, bacterial dynamics, and greenhouse gasses emissions Z. Fan et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165727
- Occurrence of microplastics in terrestrial habitats: Hazards and pollution abatement B. ONI et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedsph.2025.01.010
- Impacts of Micro- and Nano-Plastics on Soil Properties and Plant Production in Agroecosystems: A Mini-Review D. Hui et al. https://doi.org/10.4236/as.2024.1510059
- Effects of microplastics on soil properties: Current knowledge and future perspectives F. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127531
- Hazard of polystyrene micro-and nanospheres to selected aquatic and terrestrial organisms R. Qiao et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158560
- Machine learning aided meta-analysis of the impacts of non-biodegradable and biodegradable microplastics on soil microbial communities W. Gong et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrcom.2026.100124
- Degradation of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics employing the actinobacterial strain Streptomyces gobitricini F. Ameen et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10532-025-10115-7
- Hidden danger in everyday cooking: microplastic release from plastic cutting boards and impact on health and the environment J. Khorsandi et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13530-026-00312-z
- Interactions between microplastics and soil fauna: A critical review Q. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2021.1915035
- Non-negligible impact of microplastics on wetland ecosystems N. Li et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171252
- Microplastics alter soil enzyme activities and microbial community structure without negatively affecting plant growth in an agroecosystem T. Shah et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138188
- Microplastics make their way into the soil and rhizosphere: A review of the ecological consequences O. Bouaicha et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhisph.2022.100542
- Microplastics in mangroves with special reference to Asia: Occurrence, distribution, bioaccumulation and remediation options A. Talukdar et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166165
- Microbiome: A forgotten target of environmental micro(nano)plastics? A. Santos et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153628
- Conventional and biodegradable agricultural microplastics: Effects on soil decomposer animals and protists in three climate zones V. Saartama et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2026.106885
- Effect of polyethylene microplastics and acid rain on the agricultural soil ecosystem in Southern China Z. Liu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119094
- Effects of microplastics on soil microbial diversity and community structure revealed by meta-analysis F. Yan et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2025.109720
- Interaction of Microbes with Microplastics and Nanoplastics in the Agroecosystems—Impact on Antimicrobial Resistance J. Nath et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12070888
- The hidden impacts of micro/nanoplastics on soil, crop and human health M. Russo et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2023.100870
- Dosage and exposure time effects of two micro(nono)plastics on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity in two farmland soils planted with pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) B. He et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170216
- Impact of microplastics on soil (physical and chemical) properties, soil biological properties/soil biota, and response of plants to it: a review M. Hanif et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-024-05656-y
- Microplastics alter soil carbon sequestration pathways: Temporal shifts from microbial necromass to plant lignin dominance R. Feng et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2026.122589
- Hydrolyzable microplastics in soil—low biodegradation but formation of a specific microbial habitat? L. Schöpfer et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-022-01638-9
- An integrated metagenomic model to uncover the cooperation between microbes and magnetic biochar during microplastics degradation in paddy soil M. Ji et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131950
- Microplastics in soil: a comprehensive review of analytical techniques S. Gündoğdu et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoil.2025.1614075
- Microplastic and trace element contamination in coastal agricultural soils of southern India: a comparative risk assessment of mulched and unmulched fields C. Ashwathi et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-025-02746-9
- Nonbiodegradable microplastic types determine the diversity and structure of soil microbial communities: A meta-analysis X. Liu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2024.119663
- Soil microbial community parameters affected by microplastics and other plastic residues Y. Li et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1258606
- What comes after the Sun? On the integration of soil biogeochemical pre-weathering into microplastic experiments F. Büks & M. Kaupenjohann https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-373-2022
- From protein waste to agriculture or the building sector: Exploring the environmental impact of new granulates on soil and water ecosystems A. Rostocki et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112020
- Dry–wet cycle changes the influence of microplastics (MPs) on the antioxidant activity of lettuce and the rhizospheric bacterial community T. Zhang et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-023-03479-x
- Unveiling the impacts of microplastic pollution on soil health: A comprehensive review N. Chang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175643
- Microplastics in Terrestrial Ecosystems: A Scientometric Analysis D. He et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208739
- Impacts of soil microplastics on crops: A review B. Iqbal et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2022.104680
- Microplastics Increase Soil pH and Decrease Microbial Activities as a Function of Microplastic Shape, Polymer Type, and Exposure Time T. Zhao et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2021.675803
45 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Effective utilization of waste plastics towards sustainable control of mosquito V. Shaw et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135826
- Low density polyethylene degradation by filamentous fungi F. Spina et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116548
- Can microplastics mediate soil properties, plant growth and carbon/nitrogen turnover in the terrestrial ecosystem? Y. Yao et al. https://doi.org/10.1080/20964129.2022.2133638
- Effects of microplastics on soil carbon dioxide emissions and the microbial functional genes involved in organic carbon decomposition in agricultural soil Y. Zhang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150714
- Potential of micro glass/nano glass/fibreglass as pollutants species in environmental matrices A. Daniyan et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44371-026-00638-0
- Effects of micro(nano)plastics on soil nutrient cycling: State of the knowledge M. Salam et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118437
- Increasing concentration of pure micro- and macro-LDPE and PP plastic negatively affect crop biomass, nutrient cycling, and microbial biomass M. Graf et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131932
- Formation, behavior, properties and impact of micro- and nanoplastics on agricultural soil ecosystems (A Review) A. Astner et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.impact.2023.100474
- Effects of microplastics on the plant-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal symbiotic system: type, size, and concentration H. Hu et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-026-04813-4
- Combined Effects of Polyethylene and Bordeaux Mixture on the Soil–Plant System: Phytotoxicity, Copper Accumulation and Changes in Microbial Abundance S. Romeo-Río et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15151657
- Impacts and mechanism of biodegradable microplastics on lake sediment properties, bacterial dynamics, and greenhouse gasses emissions Z. Fan et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165727
- Occurrence of microplastics in terrestrial habitats: Hazards and pollution abatement B. ONI et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedsph.2025.01.010
- Impacts of Micro- and Nano-Plastics on Soil Properties and Plant Production in Agroecosystems: A Mini-Review D. Hui et al. https://doi.org/10.4236/as.2024.1510059
- Effects of microplastics on soil properties: Current knowledge and future perspectives F. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127531
- Hazard of polystyrene micro-and nanospheres to selected aquatic and terrestrial organisms R. Qiao et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158560
- Machine learning aided meta-analysis of the impacts of non-biodegradable and biodegradable microplastics on soil microbial communities W. Gong et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrcom.2026.100124
- Degradation of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics employing the actinobacterial strain Streptomyces gobitricini F. Ameen et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10532-025-10115-7
- Hidden danger in everyday cooking: microplastic release from plastic cutting boards and impact on health and the environment J. Khorsandi et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13530-026-00312-z
- Interactions between microplastics and soil fauna: A critical review Q. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2021.1915035
- Non-negligible impact of microplastics on wetland ecosystems N. Li et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171252
- Microplastics alter soil enzyme activities and microbial community structure without negatively affecting plant growth in an agroecosystem T. Shah et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138188
- Microplastics make their way into the soil and rhizosphere: A review of the ecological consequences O. Bouaicha et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhisph.2022.100542
- Microplastics in mangroves with special reference to Asia: Occurrence, distribution, bioaccumulation and remediation options A. Talukdar et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166165
- Microbiome: A forgotten target of environmental micro(nano)plastics? A. Santos et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153628
- Conventional and biodegradable agricultural microplastics: Effects on soil decomposer animals and protists in three climate zones V. Saartama et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2026.106885
- Effect of polyethylene microplastics and acid rain on the agricultural soil ecosystem in Southern China Z. Liu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119094
- Effects of microplastics on soil microbial diversity and community structure revealed by meta-analysis F. Yan et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2025.109720
- Interaction of Microbes with Microplastics and Nanoplastics in the Agroecosystems—Impact on Antimicrobial Resistance J. Nath et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12070888
- The hidden impacts of micro/nanoplastics on soil, crop and human health M. Russo et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2023.100870
- Dosage and exposure time effects of two micro(nono)plastics on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity in two farmland soils planted with pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) B. He et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170216
- Impact of microplastics on soil (physical and chemical) properties, soil biological properties/soil biota, and response of plants to it: a review M. Hanif et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-024-05656-y
- Microplastics alter soil carbon sequestration pathways: Temporal shifts from microbial necromass to plant lignin dominance R. Feng et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2026.122589
- Hydrolyzable microplastics in soil—low biodegradation but formation of a specific microbial habitat? L. Schöpfer et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-022-01638-9
- An integrated metagenomic model to uncover the cooperation between microbes and magnetic biochar during microplastics degradation in paddy soil M. Ji et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131950
- Microplastics in soil: a comprehensive review of analytical techniques S. Gündoğdu et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoil.2025.1614075
- Microplastic and trace element contamination in coastal agricultural soils of southern India: a comparative risk assessment of mulched and unmulched fields C. Ashwathi et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-025-02746-9
- Nonbiodegradable microplastic types determine the diversity and structure of soil microbial communities: A meta-analysis X. Liu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2024.119663
- Soil microbial community parameters affected by microplastics and other plastic residues Y. Li et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1258606
- What comes after the Sun? On the integration of soil biogeochemical pre-weathering into microplastic experiments F. Büks & M. Kaupenjohann https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-373-2022
- From protein waste to agriculture or the building sector: Exploring the environmental impact of new granulates on soil and water ecosystems A. Rostocki et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112020
- Dry–wet cycle changes the influence of microplastics (MPs) on the antioxidant activity of lettuce and the rhizospheric bacterial community T. Zhang et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-023-03479-x
- Unveiling the impacts of microplastic pollution on soil health: A comprehensive review N. Chang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175643
- Microplastics in Terrestrial Ecosystems: A Scientometric Analysis D. He et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208739
- Impacts of soil microplastics on crops: A review B. Iqbal et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2022.104680
- Microplastics Increase Soil pH and Decrease Microbial Activities as a Function of Microplastic Shape, Polymer Type, and Exposure Time T. Zhao et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2021.675803
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 09 Jun 2026
Short summary
Microplastics and microglass are used in a wide range of everyday and industrial applications acting as abrasives, filler and binding agents, which could enter aquatic and terrestrial environments with unexpected consequences for ecosystems. Our study suggests that different types of microparticles seem to have contrary effects on soil microorganisms, depending on the origin and properties of microparticles. This study should be seen as basis for further research, which is urgently needed.
Microplastics and microglass are used in a wide range of everyday and industrial applications...