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Microplastic mediated arsenic toxicity involves differential bioavailability of arsenic and modulated uptake in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
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Researchers examined how polyethylene and polylactic acid microplastics interact with arsenic contamination in rice paddies. They found that at low arsenic levels, microplastics actually reduced arsenic uptake by rice plants, but at high arsenic concentrations the combination produced synergistic toxic effects. The study reveals that the interaction between microplastics and heavy metals in agricultural soils is more complex than previously thought and depends heavily on contaminant concentration levels.
Microplastics (MPs) and arsenic (As) commonly co-expose in agricultural systems, posing a significant threat to crop growth. This research investigated the combined effects of polyethylene (PE)/ polylactic acid (PLA) with As on growth characteristics, As accumulation, and microbial communities in two genotypes of rice. The results showed that MPs with As exhibited antagonistic effects at low As concentrations, while co-exposure with high As concentrations showed synergistic toxicity in two genotypes of rice. The compound toxicity induced by co-exposure to high As-accumulating rice was more severe. And PE exhibited a stronger impact on rice growth, As absorption and translocation, as well as oxidative stress damage compared to PLA. At 30 mg kg As concentration, PE and PLA decreased the As content in rice roots by 61.61-77.65 mg kg and 91.63-98.22 mg kg, respectively, Whereas PE and PLA significantly increased the As in roots at high As concentration. Because MPs competed with rice roots for As adsorption, they altered As bioavailability and the iron plaque content under low As exposure, thereby reducing As toxicity to rice. In contrast, co-exposure of MPs with high As caused irreversible damage to the oxidative stress system, with reduced iron plaque and increased in As bioavailability, greatly exacerbate As toxicity to rice. In addition, MPs altered soil enzyme and microbial communities in response to co-exposure. These findings provide critical insights into the comprehensive toxicity of As and MPs (traditional/biodegradable) to the soil-plant system.
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Microplastics change the safe production ability of arsenic-stressed rice (Oryza sativa L.) by regulating the antioxidant capacity, arsenic absorption, and distribution in rice
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Researchers studied how polyethylene and biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics interact with arsenic contamination to affect rice growth and food safety. They found that the type of microplastic influenced how arsenic accumulated in different parts of the rice plant, with some combinations increasing arsenic levels in the edible grain. The findings raise concerns about microplastic contamination in agricultural soils altering how toxic metals are taken up by food crops.
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Researchers tested how different types of microplastics interact with arsenic contamination in rice paddy soil, finding that biodegradable PLA microplastics actually increased arsenic uptake by rice plants by up to 39%. In contrast, conventional polyethylene microplastics slightly reduced arsenic absorption. This is an important finding because as agriculture shifts toward biodegradable plastics, they may inadvertently increase the transfer of toxic heavy metals from soil into food crops.
Microplastic particles increase arsenic toxicity to rice seedlings
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Researchers studied how polystyrene and polytetrafluoroethylene microplastics interact with arsenic to affect rice seedling growth. They found that microplastics alone reduced plant biomass and inhibited photosynthesis, while the combination with arsenic at higher concentrations amplified the toxic effects on root activity and cell membranes. The study reveals that microplastic contamination in agricultural settings may worsen the impact of other pollutants on food crops.
A novel mechanism study of microplastic and As co-contamination on indica rice (Oryza sativa L.)
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Researchers used pot experiments and computational chemistry to study how polystyrene and polytetrafluoroethylene microplastics affect arsenic uptake in rice plants. They found that both types of microplastics interacted with rice root compounds and influenced how much arsenic the plants absorbed from contaminated soil. The study reveals a previously unknown mechanism by which microplastic pollution in agricultural soils could increase toxic metal accumulation in a major food crop.
Mechanistic insight into the intensification of arsenic toxicity to rice (Oryza sativa L.) by nanoplastic: Phytohormone and glutathione metabolism modulation
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Nanoplastics at environmentally realistic levels did not harm rice plants on their own, but when combined with arsenic they made arsenic toxicity significantly worse, reducing plant growth by up to 23%. The nanoplastics increased arsenic uptake by disrupting plant hormones and weakening the plant's natural detoxification systems. This is concerning because rice is a staple food for billions of people, and agricultural soils increasingly contain both nanoplastics and heavy metals.
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