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Vegetation retention of atmospheric microplastics: Mechanisms and global leaf storage
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Plastic pollution interception by vegetation: A mechanistic review across diverse habitats
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Researchers reviewed nearly 199 studies and found that vegetated ecosystems such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows capture 2 to 2.8 times more microplastics than non-vegetated areas through physical interception and biofilm-driven adhesion, but this trapping creates a sink-hazard paradox where concentrated plastics transform these habitats into toxic hotspots.
Alkaline extraction yields a higher number of microplastics in forest canopy leaves: implication for microplastic storage
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A study of oak leaves in a Tokyo forest found that alkaline extraction with potassium hydroxide recovered significantly more embedded airborne microplastics than water washing or sonication alone, revealing that standard methods undercount MP loading on leaves. Forest canopy leaves may act as long-term sinks for airborne microplastics rather than temporary accumulators, meaning terrestrial vegetation plays a larger role in the atmospheric plastic cycle than previously recognized.
Foliar retention of atmospheric microplastics: Influence of leaf surface properties and rainfall intensity
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Researchers found that leaf surface properties and rainfall intensity significantly influence how much atmospheric microplastics are retained on plant foliage, with leaves near a landfill retaining up to 0.80 items/cm2 and autumn showing the highest seasonal accumulation across five common urban tree species.
Airborne microplastics enter plant leaves and end up in our food
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Researchers identified a previously overlooked pathway by which airborne microplastics can enter crop leaves directly through foliar uptake, with implications for both ecological contamination and the presence of microplastics in the human food supply.
Uptake of Microplastics and Their Effects on Plants
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Researchers reviewed accumulating evidence on microplastic uptake by terrestrial plants, finding that particles smaller than 200 nm can enter root cells and translocate to shoots, potentially disrupting photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and growth while opening a pathway for microplastics to enter the human food chain through crops.
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