In forested streams, leaf litter decomposition is a vital ecosystem process, governed primarily by aquatic hyphomycetes. These fungi are crucial mediators of nutrients and energy to invertebrates and higher trophic levels. Very little information is available on the impact of low concentrations of different sizes of nanoplastic particles (NPPs) on leaf litter decomposition and aquatic hyphomycetes communities. Besides, NPPs impact on leaf litter nutritional quality and invertebrate feeding behaviour is unknown. We conducted a microcosm assay with varying concentrations (0-25 μg L) of small (100 nm; SNPPs) and large (1000 nm; LNPPs) plastic particles to assess their impact on leaf litter decomposition, sporulation rates and community structure of aquatic hyphomycetes. Furthermore, leaf litter was retrieved and fed to invertebrates to assess feeding rates. Our results indicated that leaf litter decomposition, fungal sporulation and abundance were significantly affected by NPPs concentrations and sizes. By contrast, leaf litter nutritional quality was impacted only by sizes. The NPPs, particularly SNPPs, augmented leaf litter polyunsaturated fatty acids (18-31%), consequently improving food quality; however, invertebrates' feeding rates were not impacted. Overall, our study provides novel insights on the risks posed by NPPs with pronounced impact at the basal trophic level.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128320 | DOI Listing |
Microorganisms
December 2024
Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Plantation and High Valued Utilization of Specialty Fruit Tree and Tea, Institute of Biological Resources, Jiangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanchang 330096, China.
There are differences in the litter quality and decomposition rate of kiwifruit varieties, but it is not clear whether these differences are related to microbial communities. The leaf litters of two kiwifruit varieties ( cv 'Hongyang' and cv 'Jinyan') were taken as objects, and the structure, diversity, and succession of the soil microbial communities were analyzed using an in situ decomposition experiment. Moreover, the contents of C, N, P, and K in the litters during decomposition were analyzed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGlob Chang Biol
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Litter decomposition is essential in linking aboveground and belowground carbon, nutrient cycles, and energy flows within ecosystems. This process has been profoundly impacted by global change, particularly in drylands, which are highly susceptible to both anthropogenic and natural disturbances. However, a significant knowledge gap remains concerning the extent and drivers of litter decomposition across different dryland ecosystems, limiting our understanding of its role in ecosystem metabolism.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Plant Sci
December 2024
Jingjiang College, Institute of Enviroment and Ecology, School of Emergency Management, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.
Litter decomposition is essential for nutrient and chemical cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Previous research on litter decomposition has often underestimated its impact on soil nutrient dynamics and allelopathy. To address this gap, we conducted a comprehensive study involving both field and greenhouse experiments to examine the decomposition and allelopathic effects of the invasive L.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEcol Lett
January 2025
Climate Impacts Research Centre, Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
Empirical studies worldwide show that warming has variable effects on plant litter decomposition, leaving the overall impact of climate change on decomposition uncertain. We conducted a meta-analysis of 109 experimental warming studies across seven continents, using natural and standardised plant material, to assess the overarching effect of warming on litter decomposition and identify potential moderating factors. We determined that at least 5.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFYing Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao
October 2024
School of Fishery, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316000, Zhejiang, China.
Mangrove forests are crucial coastal "blue carbon" ecosystems, known for their significant carbon sequestration capabilities to "carbon neutrality" and mitigating global climate change. We used Pb radioisotope dating to analyze sedimentation rates in the sediments of the Oujiang River Estuary mangrove forest, to calculate organic carbon burial rate, and to assess the characteristics and sources of organic carbon burial. The results showed that the average total organic carbon content in the sediments was 1.
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