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Increased risk of heavy metal accumulation in mangrove seedlings in coastal wetland environments due to microplastic inflow
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When mangrove seedlings were grown in coastal sediments contaminated with polystyrene and polymethyl methacrylate microplastics, they accumulated significantly more heavy metals -- up to 548% more -- particularly in their roots. The microplastics triggered oxidative stress in the plants and altered how heavy metals moved through the soil. This is concerning because mangrove ecosystems are nurseries for many seafood species, and increased heavy metal uptake could enter coastal food webs.
The recovery phase of mangrove seedlings in coastal wetland ecosystems can be negatively affected by exposure to external pollutants. This study aimed to investigate the impact of microplastics (MPs) influx, specifically polystyrene (PS) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), on the growth of Aegiceras corniculatum seedlings and their accumulation of heavy metals (HMs). PS and PMMA significantly increased HMs accumulation (up to 21.0-548%), particularly in the roots of seedlings, compared to the control treatment (CK). Additionally, elevated activities of malondialdehyde and catalase enzymes were observed in the leaves of seedlings, while peroxidase enzyme activity decreased. Topological analysis of the root sediment microbiota coexistence network revealed that the modularization data increased from 0.69 (CK treatment) to 1.07 (PS treatment) and 5.11 (PMMA treatment) under the combined stress of MPs and HMs. This suggests that the introduction of MPs intensifies microbial modularization. The primary cause of increased HMs accumulation in plants is the MPs input, which influences the secretion of organic acids by plants and facilitates the shift of HMs in sediment to bioavailable states. Furthermore, changes in microbial clustering may also contribute to the elevated HMs accumulation in plants. This study provides valuable insights into the effects of external pollutants on mangrove seedlings and offers new perspectives for the preservation and restoration of mangrove coastal wetlands.
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Effects of microplastics and heavy metal stress on the growth and physiological characteristics of pioneer plant Avicennia marina
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Researchers studied how mangrove plants respond to combined pollution from microplastics and heavy metals at levels found in the environment. The combination caused more oxidative stress and growth problems than either pollutant alone, disrupting the plants' defense systems. Since mangroves protect coastlines and filter water for coastal communities, damage to these ecosystems from microplastic-heavy metal pollution could have indirect effects on human well-being.
Uptake, growth, and oxidative stress responses of Rhizophora mucronata (Poir. in Lam.) propagules exposed to high-density polyethylene microplastics
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Researchers exposed mangrove propagules to environmentally relevant concentrations of high-density polyethylene microplastics for three months and found that the particles accumulated on root surfaces and translocated into the shoot system. The microplastics caused significant reductions in root length, plant height, and foliar area, along with increased oxidative stress indicators. The study suggests that microplastic pollution poses a real threat to mangrove growth and could ultimately affect the diversity and productivity of mangrove forests.
Microplastics and heavy metals reshape mangrove rhizosphere microbiomes and compromise carbon fixation potential
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Researchers investigated how microplastics and heavy metals together affect the microbial communities around mangrove tree roots. They found that combined pollution significantly reduced microbial diversity and shifted the balance of bacterial species, which in turn compromised the ability of these ecosystems to capture and store carbon. The study highlights that microplastic-metal co-contamination poses a compounding threat to mangrove ecosystems, which play an important role in coastal carbon storage.
Meta-analysis reveals the combined effects of microplastics and heavy metal on plants
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A meta-analysis of 57 studies found that the combined toxicity of microplastics and heavy metals on plants is driven primarily by the heavy metals, while microplastics mainly interact by inducing oxidative stress damage. Microplastic biodegradation emerged as a core factor influencing heavy metal accumulation in plants, with culture environment, heavy metal type, exposure duration, and microplastic concentration and size all playing roles.
Responses of mangrove (Kandelia obovata) growth, photosynthesis, and rhizosphere soil properties to microplastic pollution
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Researchers found that polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC microplastics significantly impaired mangrove (Kandelia obovata) root growth, photosynthesis, and soil microbial properties after 12 months of exposure, threatening mangrove ecosystem health.
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