Effects of microplastic polystyrene, simulated acid rain and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on Trifolium repens growth and soil microbial community composition

Microplastic pollution is a global and ubiquitous environmental problem in the oceans as well as in the terrestrial environment. We examined the fate of microplastic polystyrene (MPS) beads in experimental soil in the presence and absence of symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and simulated acid rain (SAR) to determine whether the combinations of these three factors altered the growth of white clover Trifolium repens. We found that MPS, SAR, or AMF added singly to soil did not alter T. repens growth or yields. In contrast, MPS and AMF together significantly reduced shoot biomass, while SAR and MPS together significantly reduced soil available phosphorus independent of AMF presence. Microplastic polystyrene, AMF, and SAR together significantly reduced soil NO₃^--N. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi added singly also enriched the beneficial soil bacteria (genus Solirubrobacter), while MPS combined with AMF significantly enriched the potential plant pathogenic fungus Spiromastix. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation with MPS increased the abundance of soil hydrocarbon degraders independent of the presence of SAR. In addition, the abundance of soil nitrate reducers was increased by MPS, especially in the presence of AMF and SAR. Moreover, SAR alone increased the abundance of soil pathogens within the fungal community including antibiotic producers. These findings indicate that the coexistence of MPS, SAR, and AMF may exacerbate the adverse effects of MPS on soil and plant health.