We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Aging increases the phytotoxicity of polyethylene and polypropylene to Lactuca Sativa L. compared to original microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
This study found that microplastics from polyethylene and polypropylene become more toxic to lettuce plants after aging in the environment, reducing plant growth by roughly 25-28% compared to fresh plastic particles. The aged plastics disrupted the soil around plant roots, blocking nutrient absorption and interfering with key metabolic processes. This matters because most microplastics in farm soil have been weathered over time, meaning their real-world effects on food crops may be worse than lab studies using new plastics suggest.
As emerging pollutants, microplastics (MPs) pose serious threats to the terrestrial ecosystems, and the long-term presence of aged MPs in soil results in toxic effects on plant growth. However, the phytotoxicity mechanisms of aged MPs remain unclear. To understand the toxic effects of aged MPs and the response mechanism of lettuce plants, we selected polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) (commonly found in soil), and then studied the effects of the two phytotoxins on the soil-plant system before and after aging of the MPs. We found that aging enhanced the toxicity of the MPs to the plants. Compared with the original MPs-treatment group, aged PE and PP particles reduced plant biomasses by 26.19%-28.44% and 25.58%-26.13%, respectively, potentially due to the effects of aged MPs on the rhizosphere soil, which further inhibited nutrient absorption in lettuce. The metabolic response of lettuce to MPs was also different. Aged PE significantly attenuated malic acid and proline concentrations in lettuce, and the reduction in these two products inhibited photosynthesis, energy metabolism, and cellular homeostasis, thereby aggravating the damage caused by aged PE. Aged PP principally affected the metabolic pathways of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan, which was postulated to be the reason why aging enhanced the phytotoxicity of PP. This study provides new insights into the assessment of the toxic effects of MPs, as well as the environmental behavior and ecological risks of aged MPs.
More Papers Like This
Natural Aging IntensifiesMicroplastic Phytotoxicityin Brassica chinensis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared pristine and artificially aged polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics applied to pak choi (Brassica chinensis) in soil over 45 days. Aged MPs with oxidised surfaces caused stronger phytotoxicity than pristine MPs, reducing plant biomass and disrupting soil enzyme activity, demonstrating that environmental weathering worsens MP impacts on crops.
Natural Aging Intensifies Microplastic Phytotoxicity in Brassica chinensis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared the effects of pristine and naturally aged polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics on Chinese cabbage growth and soil health over a 45-day experiment. They found that aged microplastics with oxidized surfaces caused significantly more plant damage, reducing biomass and chlorophyll content more than their pristine counterparts. The study suggests that as microplastics weather in agricultural soils, they may become increasingly harmful to crops.
Ageing affects microplastic toxicity over time: Effects of aged polycarbonate on germination, growth, and oxidative stress of Lepidium sativum
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared the toxic effects of new versus aged polycarbonate microplastics on garden cress plants and found that newer plastic was significantly more harmful, inhibiting germination, reducing growth, and causing oxidative stress. As the plastic aged over time, its toxicity decreased, likely because harmful chemical additives like bisphenol-A leached out during the aging process. The study suggests that freshly produced microplastic pollution may pose greater immediate risks to plants than older, weathered particles.
Aging alters nanoplastics–propranolol interactions in lettuce: implications for plant toxicity and microbiomes
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found that "weathered" plastic bits, the kind broken down by sun exposure like in real environments, absorb more of a common heart medication and help carry it into lettuce leaves and roots. This combo stressed the plants and disrupted their natural bacteria, raising questions about how aged microplastics in soil or water could affect the safety and quality of the produce we eat.
Studies on the impact of aged microplastics on agricultural soil enzyme activity, lettuce growth, and oxidative stress
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how aged microplastics from three common plastics (polystyrene, polyethylene, and polylactic acid) affect soil health and lettuce growth. Researchers found that high concentrations of biodegradable PLA plastic actually reduced lettuce weight by over 58%, while all three plastic types triggered oxidative stress in the plants. The results show that even so-called eco-friendly biodegradable plastics can harm crops and soil when they accumulate at higher levels.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.