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Bioavailability and phytotoxicity of micro/nanoplastics to aquatic plants: Trends, environmental drivers and mechanisms
Summary
This meta-analysis found that micro- and nanoplastics cause significant harm to aquatic plants, reducing their biomass and chlorophyll content through oxidative stress. Polyethylene was especially damaging, cutting plant biomass by over 42%. When plastic pollution harms the base of aquatic food chains, the effects can ripple upward through ecosystems that support both wildlife and human food sources.
• M/NPs can be internalized by aquatic plants via leaves and roots. • Temperature, pH, ionic strength , and DOM affect M/NPs aggregation and bioavailability. • M/NPs induce oxidative stress , inhibiting aquatic plant growth. • M/NPs cause phytotoxicity via physical damage, disrupting photosynthesis , genetics, metabolism. Inadequate handling and spread of micro/nanoplastics (M/NPs) have led to a surge in their distribution and accumulation in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. As aquatic ecosystems are a major sink for M/NPs, it is vital to comprehend their environmental behavior and biological effects. Currently, there has been increasing concerns and investigations on the potential effects of M/NPs on aquatic plants, but the general trends, driving factors and action mechanisms of M/NPs on aquatic plants have not been synthesized yet. Herein, we review research trends, the pathway of adsorption, uptake, transport, and accumulation of M/NPs by aquatic plants, as well as the major environmental factors affecting their behavior and bioavailability. Furthermore, the meta-analysis results demonstrated that M/NPs induced significant oxidative stress , with a 52.9% increase in H 2 O 2 , leading to a reduction in plant total biomass (7.2%) and chlorophyll content (17.8%). This inhibitory effect was particularly dependent on the type of M/NPs. Specifically, polyethylene plastic reduced total biomass by 42.38%, which was much higher than that by polyvinylchloride (14.28%). Moreover, the toxicity mechanism of M/NPs on aquatic plants are addressed. Lastly, future perspectives are proposed. This review would provide guidance on assessing the environmental risk and ecotoxicity of M/NPs to dominant primary producers in aquatic ecosystems.