Discrepant soil microbial community and C cycling function responses to conventional and biodegradable microplastics

Biodegradable microplastics (MPs) are promising alternatives to conventional MPs and are of high global concern. However, their discrepant effects on soil microorganisms and functions are poorly understood. In this study, polyethylene (PE) and polylactic acid (PLA) MPs were selected to investigate the different effects on soil microbiome and C-cycling genes using high-throughput sequencing and real-time quantitative PCR, as well as the morphology and functional group changes of MPs, using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the driving factors were identified. The results showed that distinct taxa with potential for MP degradation and nitrogen cycling were enriched in soils with PLA and PE, respectively. PLA, smaller size (150–180 µm), and 5% (w/w) of MPs enhanced the network complexity compared with PE, larger size (250–300 µm), and 1% (w/w) of MPs, respectively. PLA increased β-glucosidase by up to 2.53 times, while PE (150–180 µm) reduced by 38.26–44.01% and PE (250–300 µm) increased by 19.00–22.51% at 30 days. Amylase was increased by up to 5.83 times by PLA (150–180 µm) but reduced by 40.26–62.96% by PLA (250–300 µm) and 16.11–43.92% by PE. The genes cbbL, cbhI, abfA, and Lac were enhanced by 37.16%− 1.99 times, 46.35%− 26.46 times, 8.41%− 69.04%, and 90.81%− 5.85 times by PLA except for PLA1B/5B at 30 days. These effects were associated with soil pH, NO3-–N, and MP biodegradability. These findings systematically provide an understanding of the impact of biodegradable MPs on the potential for global climate change. [Display omitted] •Polyethylene (PE) and polylactic acid (PLA) showed distinct morphology and functional groups changes.•PE and PLA enriched specific soil microbial taxa in soil.•PLA enhanced microbial interaction network complexity compared to PE.•PLA increased soil C cycling genes cbbL, cbhI, abfA and Lac.•Soil nitrate-N concentration was the driving factor of the discrepant effects.