Effect of oxo-degradable plastic contamination on soil bacterial community
Agricultural plastic mulch films represent a significant source of microplastic contamination in soils, raising concerns about soil health and food security. Oxo-degradable plastics (ODPs) have emerged as a more sustainable alternative to conventional plastic mulch films, however, uncertainty remains around the degradation rate of ODPs in soil and their impacts on soil quality and crop health. Using a controlled mesocosm experiment, we evaluated the behaviour and impact of different concentrations of oxo-degradable macro- (1 cm2) and micro-plastic (<5 mm) (0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10% w/w) on the performance of Zea mays L. grown in an agricultural soil over a 6-week period.