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Beyond Particle Effects: Leachate-Induced Duckweed Toxicity from PBAT and PLA under Global Warming.
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Researchers compared particle versus leachate contributions to microplastic toxicity in duckweed, finding that while PVC and polystyrene toxicity was dominated by particle effects, PBAT and PLA toxicity was driven primarily by chemical leachates containing compounds such as docosanamide, adipic acid, and pyrene—with elevated temperatures enhancing leaching but not proportionally increasing toxicity.
Mounting evidence confirms that microplastics (MPs) pose ecological risks. Despite the environmental relevance of aged MPs under warming, little is known about their particle versus leachate toxicity. Here, we mechanistically quantify these contributions in the duckweed at concentrations of 10-500 mg L. Our results reveal polymer- and end point-specific effects, indicating distinct modes of action. While particle effects dominated the toxicity of polyvinyl chloride (PVC, 55.2-86.2%) and polystyrene (PS, 50.5-67.1%), the toxicity of poly(butylene adipate--terephthalate) (PBAT) and polylactic acid (PLA) was primarily driven by their leachates (51.1-78.5% and 54.0-91.7%, respectively). High-risk chemical candidates, including docosanamide, pyrene, hexadecanamide, nonanoic acid, stearic acid, oxepanone, and adipic acid, were further identified and prioritized within the leachates from PLA and PBAT through nontarget screening via HPLC-MS and integration with the Toxicological Priority Index (ToxPi) framework. Although elevated temperatures enhanced chemical leaching, the resulting toxicity did not increase proportionally. By elucidating how particles and leachates differentially drive MP toxicity in a polymer-specific manner under warming, this work provides critical insights for developing mechanism-driven risk assessment frameworks.
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Researchers found that chemical compounds leaching from aged microplastics may be more harmful to algae than the microplastic particles themselves. UV-weathered polyethylene and PVC released substances that inhibited algae growth, caused oxidative stress, and altered gene expression more severely than direct particle exposure. The study suggests that the chemicals released by degrading microplastics deserve more attention as a source of aquatic toxicity.
Dual acute effects of tire microplastics and their leachates on Spirodela polyrhiza and phyllosphere bacteria
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Researchers studied the effects of tire microplastics and their chemical leachates on duckweed, a common aquatic plant, and its associated bacteria. They found that both the particles themselves and the chemicals they release into water harmed plant growth, altered physiological responses, and shifted the bacterial communities living on the plant surfaces. The study reveals that tire-derived pollution affects aquatic ecosystems through multiple pathways beyond just the physical presence of plastic particles.
PlasticLeachatesDisproportionately Impair AquaticAnimals: A Multifactor, Multieffect, and Multilevel Meta-analyticModel
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A meta-analysis using a multifactor, multilevel model found that plastic leachates disproportionately impair aquatic animals compared to microplastic particles alone, with toxicity varying by leachate concentration, polymer type, and exposure duration across six biochemical endpoints.
PlasticLeachatesDisproportionately Impair AquaticAnimals: A Multifactor, Multieffect, and Multilevel Meta-analyticModel
AI summary Read the abstract
A meta-analysis using a multifactor, multilevel model found that plastic leachates disproportionately impair aquatic animals compared to microplastic particles alone, with toxicity varying by leachate concentration, polymer type, and exposure duration across six biochemical endpoints.
PlasticLeachatesDisproportionately Impair AquaticAnimals: A Multifactor, Multieffect, and Multilevel Meta-analyticModel
AI summary Read the abstract
A meta-analysis using a multifactor, multilevel model found that plastic leachates disproportionately impair aquatic animals compared to microplastic particles alone, with toxicity varying by leachate concentration, polymer type, and exposure duration across six biochemical endpoints.
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