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Nanoplastics influence on toxic metal bioaccumulation and antioxidant responses in Lactuca sativa L. irrigated with treated wastewater
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When lettuce was watered with treated wastewater containing both nanoplastics and toxic metals like cadmium and chromium, the plants actually absorbed less of these harmful metals compared to when the metals were present alone. That sounds like good news for food safety, but there's a catch: the plants grew much worse—about 60% less biomass—suggesting nanoplastics still stress the plants even while blocking metal uptake. This highlights how the growing use of recycled wastewater for farming needs more research, since pollutants can interact in unexpected ways that affect both crop yields and the safety of the food we eat.
Freshwater scarcity has increased interest in circular water-use strategies, including the reuse of treated wastewater (TWW) for crop irrigation. While TWW contains nutrients beneficial for plant growth, it may also carry contaminants such as toxic metals (TM), which can be taken up by plants and pose risks to both crop and food safety. This field study investigates the influence of nanoplastics (NP), an emerging pollutant commonly found in waters, on TM bioaccumulation and antioxidant compound production in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), one of the most widely cultivated and consumed leafy vegetables in Western countries. Lettuce plants were grown under greenhouse conditions and irrigated throughout the entire growth cycle with TWW, either alone or supplemented with NP, TM, or both. The results indicate that the interaction between NP and TM leads to a decreased TM bioaccumulation (24%, 50%, and 79% for Cr, Ni, and Cd, respectively) and reduced phytotoxicity, although with negative impact on plant growth (ca. 60% reduction in biomass production). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the effects of nanoplastics and co-existing contaminants present in treated wastewater on crops. These findings provide new insights into plant responses under irrigation with TWW and highlight potential implications for crop safety within the context of circular water use.
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Treated Wastewater Irrigation: Effects of Nanoplastics and Heavy Metals on Lettuce Phenolic Composition
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Researchers grew lettuce in a greenhouse, watering it with treated wastewater containing nanoplastics, heavy metals, or both, over 45 days. Lettuce watered with nanoplastic-containing water showed higher levels of antioxidant compounds, with no added effect from heavy metals, raising questions about contaminant buildup in the edible parts of the plant.
Synergistic Effects of Polystyrene Nanoplastics and Cadmium on the Metabolic Processes and Their Accumulation in Hydroponically Grown Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
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When lettuce was grown with both nanoplastics and the toxic metal cadmium, the plants absorbed 61-67% more of both contaminants compared to exposure to either one alone. The combined pollution triggered a stronger stress response in the plants and changed how they grew. This is concerning for human health because it means nanoplastics in agricultural soil could significantly increase the amount of toxic heavy metals that end up in salad greens and other food crops.
Synergistic Effectsof Polystyrene Nanoplastics andCadmium on the Metabolic Processes and Their Accumulation in HydroponicallyGrown Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
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Hydroponically grown lettuce co-exposed to cadmium and polystyrene nanoplastics accumulated 61% more cadmium and more nanoplastics than singly-exposed plants, with combined exposure causing greater oxidative stress and growth inhibition.
Mutual Effects and Uptake of Organic Contaminants and Nanoplastics by Lettuce in Co-Exposure
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Researchers found that when lettuce was grown with both nanoplastics and common agricultural pollutants, the nanoplastics dramatically increased the amount of the painkiller ibuprofen absorbed into the plant's leaves (by up to 309% in salty conditions). This means nanoplastics in farm soil could act as carriers that boost how much of other harmful chemicals end up in the food we eat. The study highlights how microplastic contamination in agriculture can amplify human exposure to multiple pollutants at once.
Toxic effects and mechanisms of engineered nanoparticles and nanoplastics on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)
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Researchers compared the effects of engineered nanoparticles and polystyrene nanoplastics on lettuce and found that all types caused oxidative stress in roots at high concentrations. Each nanoparticle type triggered different defensive metabolic pathways in the plants, and nanoplastics specifically altered amino acid and vitamin metabolism. Since lettuce is widely consumed raw, these findings raise questions about how nanoplastic contamination in agricultural soil could affect the safety of leafy vegetables.
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