School of Hydrology and Water Resources, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China.
Key Laboratory of Hydrometeorological Disaster Mechanism and Warning, Ministry of Water Resources, Nanjing, China.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2023 Oct;30(49):107300-107303. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-23929-2. Epub 2022 Nov 7.
In recent decades, microplastics (MPs < 5 mm) are ubiquitous and considered a serious emerging environmental problem. However, due to the limited recovery and long-lasting durability MPs, debris is frequently accumulating in riverine ecosystems, thereby impacting microbial activity and its communities. The presence of MPs may alter the microbial richness, variety, and population, thereby impacting the transformation of biogeochemical cycles. The occurrence, fate, and transport of MPs in marine and terrestrial ecosystems and their impact on biogeochemical or nutrient cycling are reported in the scientific fraternity. Yet, the global scientific community is conspicuously devoid of research on impact of MPs on riverine greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The presented view point provides a novel idea about the fate of MPs in the riverine system and its impact on GHG emissions potential. Literature reveals that DO and nutrients (organic carbon, NH, NO) concentrations play an important role in potential of GHG emission in riverine ecosystems. The proposed mechanism and research gaps provided will be highly helpful to the hydrologist, environmentalist, biotechnologist, and policymakers to think about the strategic mitigation measure to resolve the future climatic risk.
近几十年来，微塑料（MPs<5 毫米）无处不在，被认为是一个严重的新兴环境问题。然而，由于 MPs 回收有限且持久耐用，碎片经常在河流生态系统中积累，从而影响微生物活动及其群落。MPs 的存在可能改变微生物的丰富度、多样性和种群，从而影响生物地球化学循环的转化。海洋和陆地生态系统中 MPs 的发生、命运和迁移及其对生物地球化学或养分循环的影响在科学界已有报道。然而，全球科学界明显缺乏关于 MPs 对河流温室气体（GHG）排放影响的研究。本观点提供了关于 MPs 在河流系统中的命运及其对 GHG 排放潜力影响的新观点。文献表明，DO 和营养物质（有机碳、NH、NO）浓度在河流生态系统中 GHG 排放潜力方面起着重要作用。所提出的机制和研究空白将对水文学家、环保主义者、生物技术专家和政策制定者非常有帮助，使他们能够考虑采取战略缓解措施来解决未来的气候风险。
