Research Progress in the Effects of Microplastics on Soil Microorganisms and Greenhouse Gas Emission

Extensive use of plastic products in daily life generates a huge sum of microplastics in soil environment. In recent years, research on microplastics has become a hot topic because of their small size, difficulty in degradation, ease to transfer with the food chain, and other characteristics. Based on existing literature, this review systematically analyzes how microplastics affect soil microbial metabolism and soil activity by changing soil physical and chemical properties and microbial ecology. Also, this review summarizes in detail the effects of microplastics on CO₂, N₂O, and CH₄ emissions. Finally, the mechanism of soil greenhouse gas emissions, the impact of different types of microplastics, and the advanced understanding of microplastics under actual soil conditions are discussed on the basis of available literatures.