Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 109485 |
| Journal | Soil Biology and Biochemistry |
| Volume | 196 |
| Early online date | 3 Jun 2024 |
| Publication status | Published - Sept 2024 |
Abstract
Keywords
- C-PLLA polymerisation, C-tracing, Eisenia fetida, Microplastic, Mineralisation rate, PLLA, Soil
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
- Soil Science
- Immunology and Microbiology(all)
- Microbiology
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In: Soil Biology and Biochemistry, Vol. 196, 109485, 09.2024.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Poly(L-lactide) mineralisation under environmental conditions is enhanced in earthworm guts
AU - Hink, Linda
AU - Rohrbach, Stephan
AU - Rehkopf, Joey
AU - Sehl, Elmar
AU - Agarwal, Seema
AU - Feldhaar, Heike
AU - Horn, Marcus A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The Authors
PY - 2024/9
Y1 - 2024/9
N2 - Microplastic accumulates in various habitats, posing a potential environmental threat. Biodegradable polymers like poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) is a possible eco-friendly alternative to conventional, non-biodegradable plastics. However, biodegradation of PLLA in soil is strongly limited, but is potentially enhanced by soil-dwelling organisms. We recently showed that PLLA exposure positively affected reproduction in the earthworm Eisenia fetida, and increased gut lactate concentrations, indicating the hypothesis of earthworm-enhanced PLLA biodegradation. Thus, 13C-labelled PLLA was used for a 13CO2-tracing approach to monitor PLLA mineralisation in presence and absence of the earthworm E. fetida. Mineralisation of 0.2% of initial PLLA was attributed to the activity of earthworms after two weeks of exposure. Extrapolation assuming zero-order kinetics and limitation of microbial growth suggested a substantially shorter half-life of PLLA in earthworm-amended soils. This finding provides strong evidence that conditions inside the earthworm gut are beneficial for PLLA degradation and provide a basis for the development of mitigation strategies for PLLA microplastic pollution.
AB - Microplastic accumulates in various habitats, posing a potential environmental threat. Biodegradable polymers like poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) is a possible eco-friendly alternative to conventional, non-biodegradable plastics. However, biodegradation of PLLA in soil is strongly limited, but is potentially enhanced by soil-dwelling organisms. We recently showed that PLLA exposure positively affected reproduction in the earthworm Eisenia fetida, and increased gut lactate concentrations, indicating the hypothesis of earthworm-enhanced PLLA biodegradation. Thus, 13C-labelled PLLA was used for a 13CO2-tracing approach to monitor PLLA mineralisation in presence and absence of the earthworm E. fetida. Mineralisation of 0.2% of initial PLLA was attributed to the activity of earthworms after two weeks of exposure. Extrapolation assuming zero-order kinetics and limitation of microbial growth suggested a substantially shorter half-life of PLLA in earthworm-amended soils. This finding provides strong evidence that conditions inside the earthworm gut are beneficial for PLLA degradation and provide a basis for the development of mitigation strategies for PLLA microplastic pollution.
KW - C-PLLA polymerisation
KW - C-tracing
KW - Eisenia fetida
KW - Microplastic
KW - Mineralisation rate
KW - PLLA
KW - Soil
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85195268061&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.soilbio.2024.109485
DO - 10.1016/j.soilbio.2024.109485
M3 - Article
VL - 196
JO - Soil Biology and Biochemistry
JF - Soil Biology and Biochemistry
SN - 0038-0717
M1 - 109485
ER -