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Translocation mechanism and the role of aerenchyma in nanoplastic translocation in Myriophyllum sp. “Roraima” and physiological responses
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Researchers traced how 50-nm nanoplastics enter, move through, and affect the aquatic plant Myriophyllum sp., finding that aerenchyma (air-conducting tissue) channels facilitate nanoplastic transport within the stem and that exposure alters photosynthetic efficiency and triggers antioxidant responses even without visible physical damage.
Nanoplastics have become a growing concern due to their potential impact on freshwater vegetation. The uptake, translocation, and effects of 0.05-µm nanoplastics on Myriophyllum sp. "Roraima" were investigated, along with the role of aerenchyma in nanoplastic transport. Microscopic observations revealed nanoplastic particle adsorption to the plant surface and entry into the roots and stems, with higher abundance and more dispersed distribution by direct contact. Nanoplastic particles were detected in the plant stem, primarily concentrated in regions adjacent to the aerenchyma. No morphological effects were observed. Induced changes in photosynthesis, including increased maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), decreased non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), decreased photosynthetic pigments, and increased photoprotective pigments, were recognized. Additionally, hydrogen peroxide levels and antioxidant enzyme activities varied in response to nanoplastic exposure. This study provides insights into the impact of nanoplastics on Myriophyllum sp. "Roraima" and has reviewed the underlying mechanisms, highlighting the role of aerenchyma in nanoplastic transport within the plant. Moreover, this study contributes to the understanding of the potential impacts of nanoplastic pollution on freshwater macrophytes while acknowledging the influence of phyto-anatomical structure on nanoplastic translocation.
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