Humic substance mitigated the microplastic-induced inhibition of hydroxyl radical production in riparian sediment

Hydroxyl radicals (·OH) generated during the flooding-drought transformation process play a vital role in affecting nutrient cycles at riparian zone. However, information on the processes and mechanisms for ·OH formation under the influence of microplastics (MPs) remains unclear. In this study, the effects of MPs on ·OH production from riparian sediments with different biomass [e.g., vegetation lush (VL) and vegetation barren (VB)] were studied. The results showed that presence of MPs inhibited the production of ·OH by 27% and 7.5% for VB and VL sediments, respectively. The inhibition was mainly resulted from the MP-induced reduction of the biotic and abiotic mediated Fe redox processes. Spectral analysis revealed that VL sediments contained more high-molecular-weight humic-like substances. Presence of MPs increased the abundances and activities of Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria, which were conducive to the changes in humification and polar properties of organic matters. The reduced humic- and fulvic-like substances were accumulated in the flooding period and substantially oxidized during flooding/drought transformation due to the enhanced MP-mediated electron transfer abilities, thus mitigated the MP-induced inhibition effects. Therefore, in order to better understanding the biogeochemical cycling of contaminants as influenced by ·OH and MPs in river ecosystems, humic substances should be considered systematically. As an emerging contaminant, microplastics (MPs) experience a large sink in riparian sediment, which can change sediment physicochemical characters and influence the material cycles. Hydroxyl radicals (·OH) generated during flooding-drought transformation process in riparian sediment also play a vital role in affecting nutrient cycles. However, information on the processes and mechanisms for ·OH formation under the influence of MPs remains unclear. Therefore, through comparing the differences in ·OH formation under the influence of MPs in different sedimentary environments, this study would improve our understanding on the influence of MPs on substance cycles and community response of the riparian sediments.