Microplastics from agricultural mulch films improve soil aggregation and alter microbial communities
Zhu J. Zheng J. Shi Q. Xu Z. Chen J. Hu S. Zhakypbek Y. Tursbekov S.
15 November 2025Elsevier B.V.
Chemical Engineering Journal
2025#524
Plastic film mulching has long been used in agriculture to enhance productivity, resulting in the substantial input of microplastics derived from plastic film mulching (PFM–MPs) into agricultural soils. However, the impacts of these residues on soil remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, we investigated a 17-year mulched cotton field using integrated physical–chemical–microbiological analyses to explore how PFM–MPs influence the soil structure and microbial communities. The results show that PFM–MP abundance increased significantly with mulching duration (from 683.33 to 9633.33 items/kg) and was predominantly enriched in macroaggregates and mesoaggregates, with soil aggregate stability (mean weight diameter) increasing by approximately 7.8-fold. Multiple lines of analysis identified PFM–MPs as the dominant factor influencing aggregate stability. Furthermore, PFM–MPs enhanced interparticle cohesion by regulating the electrochemical properties of soil particle surfaces, thereby optimizing interparticle interactions and indirectly promoting aggregate stability through the accumulation of hydrophobic plasticizers (e.g., phthalate esters), which increased soil water repellency (contact angle: 9.73° → 23.10°). Amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA genes revealed pronounced shifts in microbial community composition, characterized by increased relative abundances of Proteobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, and Acidobacteriota; in addition, the Shannon diversity index increased significantly from 5.69 to 6.72. Finally, partial least squares path modeling clarified that PFM–MPs enhance aggregate stability primarily by modulating soil electrochemical properties and hydrophobicity, thereby altering microbial communities. In summary, there results fills a critical knowledge gap regarding the effects of PFM–MPs on soil aggregates and microbial communities in agricultural soils, thus inform evidence-based policies aimed at managing plastic pollution and ensuring sustainable agriculutural management.
Electric field , Long-term field experimental station , Microorganism , PAEs , PFM–MPs , Soil aggregate stability
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College of Ecology and Environment, Xin Jiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China
Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Xin Jiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi, 830091, China
College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
College of Mining and Metallurgical Institute, Satbayev University, Almaty, 050013, Kazakhstan
College of Ecology and Environment
Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment
College of Resources and Environmental Sciences
College of Mining and Metallurgical Institute
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