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Do nano-plastics inhibit the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in constructed wetlands?
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Researchers tested how nanoplastics affect removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in constructed wetlands and found that nanoplastic presence actually enhanced naphthalene removal by up to 114%, partly by stimulating extracellular polymeric substance production and upregulating both nanoplastic- and PAH-degrading microbial genes, though the accumulating nanoplastics themselves raised concerns about pathogen-related virulence gene shifts.
Constructed wetlands (CWs) are commonly used as a final barrier for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) removal, but nano-plastics (NPs) accumulation could significantly affect their performance. Whether NPs enhance or inhibit PAHs removal in CWs remains debated, and the mechanisms involved are still unclear. Here, the effects of NPs on the treatment of typical PAHs (naphthalene (NPT)) in CWs were investigated by analyzing EPS adsorption function, microbial dynamics and virulence factor genes (VFGs) changes. The presence of 100 and 1000 μg/L NPs enhanced NPT removal by 114.1 % and 77.6 %, furthermore, 55.4 % and 48.2 % of the added NPs were simultaneously removed. Correspondingly, 19.8 % and 17.6 % higher NPT content was accumulated in substrate. The addition of NPs increased EPS content by over 219.6 %, enhancing the affinity of NPT. Under NPs influence, genes that related to NPs degradation (e.g. styA, phaA, ubiH) and NPT degradation (e.g. nahAc, nahB, nahC) were significantly upregulated. Key genes in the PPP and TCA cycle were also enhanced (e.g. prpC, kgd, sdhB), providing energy and oxidative stress resistance for contaminant removal. The addition of 100 μg/L NPs reduced adhesion-related VFGs by 11.0 % and increased microbial immune regulation by 19.6 %, suggesting higher risk and stress adaptation. Therefore, the accumulation of NPs enhances NPT removal performance, while the increased concentration of NPs should be raised potential risk in CWs.
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Researchers found that microplastics generally enhanced microbial reductive dehalogenation of organohalide pollutants by 10-217%, while nanoplastics consistently inhibited it by increasing reactive oxygen species, revealing size-dependent effects on pollutant biotransformation in contaminated environments.
Nanoplastics Disturb Nitrogen Removal in Constructed Wetlands: Responses of Microbes and Macrophytes
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The impact of nanosized plastics on nitrogen removal in constructed wetlands was investigated by examining microbial community responses and denitrification processes. Nanoplastics disturbed biological nitrogen removal in the wetland system, with microorganisms showing altered community structure and reduced denitrification efficiency.
Response characteristics of indigenous microbial community in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contaminated aquifers under polyethylene microplastics stress: A microcosmic experimental study
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Researchers investigated how polyethylene microplastics affect indigenous microbial communities in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-contaminated groundwater aquifers, finding that microplastics alter microbial community structure and function in ways that affect PAH degradation potential.
Nitrogen metabolic responses of non-rhizosphere and rhizosphere microbial communities in constructed wetlands under nanoplastics disturbance
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Researchers compared how microbial communities in plant root zones versus non-root zones of constructed wetlands respond to nanoplastic contamination. They found that nanoplastics reduced beneficial nitrogen-processing bacteria near roots by nearly 18%, while non-root microbes showed greater adaptability, even using nanoplastics as a carbon source. The findings suggest that constructed wetlands, which are important for water treatment, may have their nitrogen-removal capabilities impaired by nanoplastic pollution.
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