The interaction effects of biodegradable microplastics and Cd on Folsomia candida soil collembolan

In real-field soil conditions, multiple chemicals exposure may be the real scenario for soil biota. The co-occurrence of microplastics (MPs) and cadmium (Cd) is common in soils, which may pose a potential risk to soil ecosystems. Degradable microplastics are producing more MPs, and the potential effects on soil ecosystems are unknown. Therefore, a standard soil animal collembolan Folsomia candida was used to evaluate the single and interaction effects of biodegradable MPs (PLA) and Cd. The results showed that single and co-biodegradable PLA and Cd all had negative influences on the survival, reproduction, and growth of F. candida, and the effects intensified with PLA concentrations. The survival rate, reproduction rate, adult body length, and juvenile body length decreased by 20.0%, 24.2%, 22.9%, and 32.2% at MPs-100 treatment. But combined PLA and Cd alleviated the toxicity of single Cd on F. candida at lower PLA concentrations. The number of juveniles increased by 29.3%, the survival rate increased by 7.52%, the adult body length increased by 11.7%, and the juvenile body length increased by 19.0% at MPs-1 + Cd than single Cd treatment. Biochemical assays on antioxidant enzymes had the same results. Antioxidant enzymes CAT and POD were more sensitive than SOD. CAT and POD activities were induced quickly at shorter exposure periods, and MP treatment thus may be promising biomarkers on soil collembolan for soil MP exposure. PLA is degraded with time in soils; therefore, the long-term effects of co-MPs and Cd in soils are suggested to be further studied.

Automated summary

In real-field soil conditions, the co-occurrence of microplastics (MPs) and cadmium (Cd) is common and may pose potential risks to soil ecosystems. This study evaluated the effects of biodegradable MPs (PLA) and Cd on a soil animal Folsomia candida. The results showed that both single and combined PLA and Cd had negative influences on the survival, reproduction, and growth of F. candida, with the effects intensifying at higher PLA concentrations. However, combined PLA and Cd alleviated the toxicity of Cd at lower PLA concentrations. The study also suggested that MP treatment may be a promising biomarker for soil collembolan in assessing soil MP exposure.