Effects of Microplastics and Soil Microbes on Dune Grass Performance

Microplastics are <5mm plastic pieces1 derived from chemical and mechanical breakdown. Microplastics have been making their way into soils, potentially affecting terrestrial ecosystems. Dunes, especially, are subject to microplastic pollution since they are close to oceans, and close to human-mediated beach pollution. Microplastics may affect plant performance by impacting soil abiotic properties (like soil moisture) or by impacting soil microbial communities that plans rely on. There has been little research on the impact that microplastics have on the plant performance, including whether they interact with soil microbes to influence plant performance. In this experiment, we tested how 3 species of grasses -- Texas-native Distichlis spicata, and invasive grasses Cynodon dactylon and Sorghum halepense -- responded to the addition of microplastics and soil microbes. Will added microplastic and soil microbes interact to impact grass performance? Will any species show resistance to the addition of microplastics?