We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Synergistic effects of polystyrene nanoplastics and arsenic on growth and biochemistry of in vitro-grown Oryza sativa: ameliorative role of humic acid
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics and arsenic together cause greater harm to rice seedlings than either contaminant alone, inhibiting growth, reducing chlorophyll, and increasing arsenic translocation to shoots, while humic acid significantly reduced these combined toxic effects.
Nanoplastics have emerged as pervasive environmental contaminants with growing concern over their ecological and biological impacts. Several studies have demonstrated the negative impact of nanoplastic exposure on plants; however, limited research has focused on the synergistic effects of nanoplastic and heavy metal exposure. This study investigates the individual and combined toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) and arsenic (As) on the growth and physiological responses of Oryza sativa and evaluates potential mitigation strategies using humic acid (HA). In-vitro rice plantlets were exposed to varying concentrations of PS (5, 25, 50 µg/mL), As (10, 50, 100 µg/mL), urea (10, 50, 100 µg/mL), and HA (10, 50, 100 µg/mL), as well as to combined treatments of PS: HA (5:10, 25:50, 50:100 µg/mL), PS: As (5:10, 25:50, 50:100 µg/mL), and PS: As: HA (5:10:10, 25:50:50, 50:100:100 µg/mL). Plant growth, chlorophyll content, and biochemical markers, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nitrate levels, in root and shoot tissues were assessed. Results showed that exposure to PS nanoplastics inhibited rice growth and decreased chlorophyll and biochemical content. Co-exposure with arsenic exacerbated these toxic effects, notably enhancing arsenic translocation from roots to shoots. Importantly, the addition of HA in PS: As: HA treatments significantly alleviated toxicity, suggesting a potential ameliorative role of HA in mitigating co-contaminant stress. These findings underscore the synergistic toxicity of nanoplastics and heavy metals in rice and highlight the potential of humic acid as a sustainable strategy for environmental remediation in contaminated agroecosystems.
More Papers Like This
Polystyrene microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter mitigates arsenic phytotoxicity in Tibetan hulless barley seedlings: Phenotypic and transcriptomic evidence
AI summary
Researchers found that dissolved organic matter released from UV-aged polystyrene microplastics actually reduced arsenic toxicity in Tibetan hulless barley seedlings, increasing biomass by roughly 18-20% compared to arsenic exposure alone. The protective effect worked through two mechanisms: arsenic-DOM complexation that blocked plant uptake and enhanced cellular detoxification pathways that sequestered arsenic in vacuoles.
Polystyrene nanoplastics amplify arsenite-induced toxicity to human serum albumin: Potentiated inhibition via complexation
Mechanistic insight into the intensification of arsenic toxicity to rice (Oryza sativa L.) by nanoplastic: Phytohormone and glutathione metabolism modulation
AI summary Read the abstract
Nanoplastics at environmentally realistic levels did not harm rice plants on their own, but when combined with arsenic they made arsenic toxicity significantly worse, reducing plant growth by up to 23%. The nanoplastics increased arsenic uptake by disrupting plant hormones and weakening the plant's natural detoxification systems. This is concerning because rice is a staple food for billions of people, and agricultural soils increasingly contain both nanoplastics and heavy metals.
The combined toxicity of polystyrene microplastic and arsenate: From the view of biochemical process in wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that when wheat seedlings were exposed to both arsenic and polystyrene microplastics together, the microplastics reduced arsenic uptake in roots but dramatically increased arsenic transport to the above-ground parts of the plant — by up to 1,000%. This combined exposure caused more oxidative stress and damage to the plants' photosynthetic systems than arsenic alone. The findings suggest that microplastics in contaminated soil could increase how much toxic metal ends up in the edible parts of crops.
Elevated CO2 Synergizes with Nanoplastics to Intensify Arsenic Mobilization, Biotransformation, and Plant Uptake in Soil-Spinach Systems
AI summary
This research examined how earthworm activity interacts with plastic mulch film residues in agricultural soils, measuring changes in soil enzymatic activity and earthworm behavior in plastic-contaminated plots. The study found that microplastics from mulch films suppress soil enzyme function, with implications for soil health and agricultural productivity.
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.