Soil microplastics
Our study aims to determine the impact of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), commonly known as polyester fibre, and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) on a forest soil microbiome composition (16S rDNA) and activity (soil respiration) that has no previous exposure to microplastics. Our experimental approach allows us to start considering the evolutionary consequences of microplastic pollution for forest soil microbiome. We discuss the changes in the forest soil microbiome in relation to physicochemical changes (soil water retention characteristics, mineral N) that occur due to the microplastics added.