The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

Microplastics Enhance N₂O Emissions by Stimulating Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria in Estuarine and Coastal Sediments
ID:539 Oral Presentation

2027-01-13 14:15 (China Standard Time)

Session:Session 15 - Marine Micro- and Nano-Plastics: Novel Methods, Environmental Fate and Ecological Effects

Abstract
Estuarine and coastal sediments receive increasing inputs of both reactive nitrogen and microplastics, yet their combined effects on microbial nitrogen cycling and greenhouse gas production remain insufficiently understood. In this study, we investigated how common microplastic polymers, including polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, and polypropylene, affect nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions and nitrifying microbial communities in sediments from the Yangtze River estuary and adjacent coastal areas.Using sediment microcosms, functional gene analysis, amplicon sequencing, and genome-resolved metagenomics, we found that microplastic addition enhanced N₂O production and influenced nitrifying microbial communities. This response was mainly associated with the selective stimulation of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, particularly Nitrosomonas-like populations, rather than ammonia-oxidizing archaea or comammox Nitrospira. Genome-resolved analysis further suggested that enriched ammonia-oxidizing bacteria carry putative genes related to plastic interaction or degradation, which may provide an ecological advantage in microplastic-associated niches. These findings suggest that microplastics can influence coastal nitrogen cycling by favoring specific nitrifying microorganisms and enhancing microbially mediated N₂O production. This work highlights an underrecognized link between marine microplastic pollution and coastal greenhouse gas emissions, with implications for assessing the ecological effects of microplastics in estuarine and marine environments.
Speaker
Ping Han City University of Hong Kong

Author
Ping Han City University of Hong Kong

    Important Dates

    • Jan 30

      2026

      Session / Event proposals open

    • Mar 31

      2026

      Session / Event proposals close
      (Extended to April 7)

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Session acceptance notifications

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions & registration open

    • Jun 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions close
      (Extended to July 21)

    • Aug 31

      2026

      Abstract acceptance notifications

    • Sep 15

      2026

      Scientific program released

    • Oct 15

      2026

      Early bird registration closes

    • Jan 12–15

      2027

      XMAS 2027