We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Toxicity of aged and unaged conventional or biodegradable mulching films microplastics to the estuarine bivalve Scrobicularia plana
Summary
Researchers tested the toxicity of aged and unaged microplastics from both conventional and biodegradable mulch films on soil organisms under realistic agricultural exposure conditions. Aged mulch film microplastics were more toxic than virgin particles, and biodegradable alternatives were not inherently less harmful to soil biota.
Human activities, and more specifically agricultural and horticultural activities, generate plastic pollution of soils, particularly by microplastics (MP). This pollution by MP is now ubiquitous and raises the question of its impact on the health of ecosystems in different compartments along the soil/aquatic continuum. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of aging on the toxicity of conventional (Polyethylene, PE) and biodegradable (Polylactic Acid/Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate, PLA/PBAT) mulching films microplastics on a key organism of the estuarine compartment, an environment at the soil/water interface. The estuarine bivalve Scrobicularia plana was exposed for 21 days to two environmental concentrations (0.008µg/L and 100µg/L) of microplastics ( Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/558522/document
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Toxicity of aged and unaged conventional or biodegradable mulching films microplastics to the estuarine bivalve Scrobicularia plana
This study assessed whether aging changes the toxicity of microplastics from conventional and biodegradable mulching films across soil and aquatic environments, testing both fresh and UV-aged particles on a range of organisms. Aging altered toxicity profiles of both conventional and biodegradable microplastics, with effects varying by polymer type and test species.
Toxicity of aged and unaged conventional or biodegradable mulching films microplastics to the estuarine bivalve Scrobicularia plana
This study tested the toxicity of microplastics derived from aged and unaged conventional and biodegradable mulching films on the estuarine bivalve Scrobicularia plana, finding that both types caused harm to this ecologically important species. Aged microplastics showed different toxicity profiles compared to fresh particles.
Effect of aging on the toxicity of polyethylene microplastics on the estuarine bivalve Scrobicularia plana
Researchers compared the toxicity of new versus artificially aged polyethylene microplastics on an estuarine bivalve species. They found that aged microplastics, which better represent what is actually found in the environment, caused different and sometimes greater biological effects than pristine particles. The study emphasizes the importance of using environmentally realistic aged microplastics in toxicity testing rather than only new materials.
Long-term effects of conventional and biodegradable microplastics from mulch on freshwater communities
Researchers examined the long-term effects of both conventional and biodegradable mulch film microplastics on freshwater zooplankton populations after leaching from agricultural soils. Even environmentally relevant concentrations of mulch-derived microplastics reduced zooplankton reproduction, with biodegradable mulch microplastics showing effects comparable to conventional plastics.
From plastic mulching to microplastic pollution : An effect assessment of microplastics in the soil-plant system
This review assessed how plastic mulching films contribute to agricultural microplastic pollution, finding that biodegradable alternatives rarely fully degrade under field conditions and instead fragment into microplastics, with both LDPE and biodegradable microplastics producing measurable ecological effects in soil-plant systems.