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Environmental level of lanthanum increased phytoextraction of co-occurring cadmium and polystyrene nanoplastics by Sedum alfredii
Summary
Researchers found that environmental concentrations of lanthanum — a rare earth element — triggered systemic endocytosis in the hyperaccumulator plant Sedum alfredii, enabling simultaneous root uptake of both cadmium and polystyrene nanoplastics by boosting antioxidant activity and photosynthesis, pointing toward a novel strategy for remediating mixed inorganic-organic contaminated soils.
Phytoextraction based on hyperaccumulators is a sustainable bioremediation technology. However, hyperaccumulators can only accumulate a single type of pollutants and need long remediation times, inhibiting simultaneous phytoextraction of co-occurring inorganic and organic pollutants. Here, the study indicated that the environmental level of lanthanum, as an emerging pollutant, was absorbed by leaves and induced endocytosis from leaves to roots (systemic endocytosis) in Sedum alfredii. Cadmium and polystyrene nanoplastics were simultaneously absorbed by root cells through systemic endocytosis, increasing the accumulation of these pollutants in Sedum alfredii. One possible mechanism of improving phytoextraction of co-occurring cadmium and polystyrene nanoplastics is that the lanthanum-induced system endocytosis increased the nutrient absorption of Sedum alfredii, thus increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, enhancing photosynthesis, biomass, and plant tolerance. These findings provide a new empirical basis and strategy for the simultaneous phytoremediation of co-occurring inorganic and organic pollutants in environments.