Mangrove sediment microbes under drought and microplastic exposure

Mangrove wetlands serve as global hotspots for nitrogen (N) cycle and critical sinks for microplastics (MPs). In recent years, driven by intensified sediment loading and frequent global extreme climatic events, mangroves in certain regions face escalating risks of drought-induced habitat transitions. However, the responses of N cycle processes in mangrove wetlands to aridification and MPs exposure remain poorly understood. Thus, we conducted a 24-days microcosm incubation experiment by adding MPs of distinct types (polystyrene and polylactic acid) and sizes to mangrove sediments under contrasting hydrological conditions (continuous flooding and aridity).