Data for Crumb rubber microplastics alter soil water dynamics and plant biomass allocation in soybeans

Description

This dataset supports a greenhouse experiment examining the effects of crumb rubber, a recycled tire product commonly used in artificial turf fields, on soil and plant function. Soybeans (Glycine max) were grown in soils containing increasing proportions of crumb rubber (0%, 16.6%, 33.3%, and 50% by weight). Measured variables include germination, plant height, chlorophyll content, soil respiration, biomass production, water loss, root allocation, and elemental composition of soils and plant tissues over a 21-day growth period. The dataset also includes zinc concentrations in soils and plant tissues across the crumb rubber gradient. These data were used to assess how crumb rubber influences plant performance, soil function, water dynamics, and trace metal accumulation in terrestrial ecosystems.

Steps to reproduce

Prepare four soil treatments containing 0%, 16.6%, 33.3%, and 50% crumb rubber by weight using OMRI-certified Black Gold Garden Compost Blend soil and 10-mesh crumb rubber. Homogenize soil in a cement mixer for 10 minutes. Add the appropriate masses of soil and crumb rubber to 0.47 L glass jars (20 replicates per treatment), seal, and shake for 1 minute to homogenize mixtures. Plant one heirloom soybean seed (Glycine max, variety KS 5120N) 3.8 cm below the soil surface in each jar. Maintain jars in a growth chamber at 22 °C under a 12 h light:12 h dark photoperiod with fluorescent lighting (~400 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹). Randomize jar positions within the chamber. Water jars to predetermined target weights corresponding to approximately 20% added moisture and rewater twice weekly for 21 days to maintain constant moisture conditions. Record water additions at each watering event. Measure germination and plant height twice weekly throughout the experiment. On Day 21, measure chlorophyll content using an Apogee MC-100 chlorophyll meter and mesocosm respiration using a PP Systems EGM-5 Portable CO₂ Gas Analyzer. Harvest plants, determine wet biomass, dry plants for one week at 22 °C, and measure dry root biomass, dry shoot biomass, total dry biomass, and root-to-shoot ratios.

Institutions

• Stony Brook University

  New York, Stony Brook

Categories

Funders

• U.S. National Science Foundation

  Government of the United States of America

  Alexandria

  Grant ID: 2235984

Licence