Microplastic contamination, like other global change factors, can induce effects on ecosystem functions and processes, affecting various soil biophysical properties. However, effects of such contaminants on nutrient cycles in agroecosystems are still poorly understood. We here performed two pot experiments to investigate the effect of polyester microplastic fibers (PMFs) on soil physical properties, nitrogen cycle, and plant performance in a maize-based agroecosystem. Moreover, we followed the N loss via leaching in soil contaminated or not with PMFs by simulating heavy rainfall events that mimic a future scenario of climate change. Our results show that soil contaminated with PMFs (at a concentration of 0.5% w/w) can jeopardize agroecosystem sustainability by affecting soil physical properties and in particular soil macro- and microporosity, the nitrogen cycle, and plant performance. In particular, we found that soil PMF contamination limited crop growth and N uptake by circa 30%, and consequently increased N loss via leaching. Overall, our findings show that soil contamination with PMFs may pose problems to future agricultural challenges like food security and environmental protection.
", "keywords": ["plant nitrogen uptake", "0301 basic medicine", "2. Zero hunger", "570", "0303 health sciences", "agroecosystem sustainability", "Science", "Physics", "QC1-999", "Q", "500 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik::570 Biowissenschaften; Biologie::570 Biowissenschaften; Biologie", "15. Life on land", "Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering", "6. Clean water", "microplastic in soil", "3. Good health", "Environmental sciences", "03 medical and health sciences", "13. Climate action", "soil properties", "nitrogen cycle", "GE1-350", "nitrogen leaching", "TD1-1066"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ac652d"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Environmental%20Research%20Letters", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1088/1748-9326/ac652d", "name": "item", "description": "10.1088/1748-9326/ac652d", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1088/1748-9326/ac652d"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2022-04-25T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1111/ejss.13515", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-30T16:19:21Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2024-06-07", "title": "Trade\u2010offs and synergies of soil carbon sequestration: Addressing knowledge gaps related to soil management strategies", "description": "AbstractSoil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration in agricultural soils is an important tool for climate change mitigation within the EU soil strategy for 2030 and can be achieved via the adoption of soil management strategies (SMS). These strategies may induce synergistic effects by simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and/or nitrogen (N) leaching. In contrast, other SMS may stimulate emissions of GHG such as nitrous oxide (N2O) or methane (CH4), offsetting the climate change mitigation gained via SOC sequestration. Despite the importance of understanding trade\uffe2\uff80\uff90offs and synergies for selecting sustainable SMS for European agriculture, knowledge on these effects remains limited. This review synthesizes existing knowledge, identifies knowledge gaps and provides research recommendations on trade\uffe2\uff80\uff90offs and synergies between SOC sequestration or SOC accrual, non\uffe2\uff80\uff90CO2 GHG emissions and N leaching related to selected SMS. We investigated 87 peer\uffe2\uff80\uff90reviewed articles that address SMS and categorized them under tillage management, cropping systems, water management and fertilization and organic matter (OM) inputs. SMS, such as conservation tillage, adapted crop rotations, adapted water management, OM inputs by cover crops (CC), organic amendments (OA) and biochar, contribute to increase SOC stocks and reduce N leaching. Adoption of leguminous CC or specific cropping systems and adapted water management tend to create trade\uffe2\uff80\uff90offs by stimulating N2O emissions, while specific cropping systems or application of biochar can mitigate N2O emissions. The effect of crop residues on N2O emissions depends strongly on their C/N ratio. Organic agriculture and agroforestry clearly mitigate CH4 emissions but the impact of other SMS requires additional study. More experimental research is needed to study the impact of both the pedoclimatic conditions and the long\uffe2\uff80\uff90term dynamics of trade\uffe2\uff80\uff90offs and synergies. Researchers should simultaneously assess the impact of (multiple) agricultural SMS on SOC stocks, GHG emissions and N leaching. This review provides guidance to policymakers as well as a framework to design field experiments and model simulations, which can address knowledge gaps and non\uffe2\uff80\uff90intentional effects of applying agricultural SMS meant to increase SOC sequestration.Soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration in agricultural soils is an important tool for climate change mitigation within the EU soil strategy for 2030 and can be achieved via the adoption of soil management strategies (SMS). These strategies may induce synergistic effects by simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and/or nitrogen (N) leaching. In contrast, other SMS may stimulate emissions of GHG such as nitrous oxide (N2O) or methane (CH4), offsetting the climate change mitigation gained via SOC sequestration. Despite the importance of understanding trade\uffe2\uff80\uff90offs and synergies for selecting sustainable SMS for European agriculture, knowledge on these effects remains limited. This review synthesizes existing knowledge, identifies knowledge gaps and provides research recommendations on trade\uffe2\uff80\uff90offs and synergies between SOC sequestration or SOC accrual, non\uffe2\uff80\uff90CO2 GHG emissions and N leaching related to selected SMS. We investigated 87 peer\uffe2\uff80\uff90reviewed articles that address SMS and categorized them under tillage management, cropping systems, water management and fertilization and organic matter (OM) inputs. SMS, such as conservation tillage, adapted crop rotations, adapted water management, OM inputs by cover crops (CC), organic amendments (OA) and biochar, contribute to increase SOC stocks and reduce N leaching. Adoption of leguminous CC or specific cropping systems and adapted water management tend to create trade\uffe2\uff80\uff90offs by stimulating N2O emissions, while specific cropping systems or application of biochar can mitigate N2O emissions. The effect of crop residues on N2O emissions depends strongly on their C/N ratio. Organic agriculture and agroforestry clearly mitigate CH4 emissions but the impact of other SMS requires additional study. More experimental research is needed to study the impact of both the pedoclimatic conditions and the long\uffe2\uff80\uff90term dynamics of trade\uffe2\uff80\uff90offs and synergies. Researchers should simultaneously assess the impact of (multiple) agricultural SMS on SOC stocks, GHG emissions and N leaching. This review provides guidance to policymakers as well as a framework to design field experiments and model simulations, which can address knowledge gaps and non\uffe2\uff80\uff90intentional effects of applying agricultural SMS meant to increase SOC sequestration.