We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Response of garlic (Allium sativum L.) to the combined toxicity of microplastics and arsenic
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how polystyrene microplastics and arsenic interact when both are present in soil where garlic is growing. They found that nanoscale plastic particles can enter garlic through the roots and accumulate in plant tissues, and that higher microplastic concentrations actually increased arsenic transport into the edible bulb. The study highlights potential food safety concerns when crops are grown in soil contaminated with both microplastics and heavy metals.
The extensive utilization of mulch films in agricultural settings, coupled with the persistence of microplastic remnants in soil following the natural degradation of plastics, has given rise to detrimental microplastic impacts on crops. Arsenic (As) contamination in the environment is known to accumulate in crops through aquatic pathways or soil. Garlic (Allium sativum L.), a globally popular crop and seasoning, contains alliin, a precursor of its flavor compounds with medicinal properties. While alliin exhibits antimicrobial and antioxidant effects in garlic, its response to microplastics and arsenic has not been thoroughly investigated, specifically in terms of microplastic or As uptake. This study aimed to explore the impact of varied stress concentrations of microplastics on the toxicity, migration, and accumulation of As compounds. Results demonstrated that polystyrene (PS) fluorescent microspheres, with an 80 nm diameter, could permeate garlic bulbs through the root system, accumulating within vascular tissues and intercellular layers. Low concentrations of PS (10 and 20 mg L) and As (2 mg L) mitigated the production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant enzymes in garlic. Conversely, garlic exhibited reduced root vigor, substance uptake, and translocation when treated with elevated As concentrations (4 mg L) in conjunction with PS concentrations of 40 and 80 mg L. An escalation in PS concentration facilitated As transport into bulbs but led to diminished As accumulation and biomass in the root system. Notably, heightened stress levels weakened garlic's antioxidant defense system, encompassing sulfur allicin and phytochelatin metabolism, crucial for combating the phytotoxicity of PS and As. In summary, PS exerted a detrimental influence on garlic, exacerbating As toxicity. The findings from this study offer insights for subsequent investigations involving Liliaceae plants.
More Papers Like This
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.
Effects of microplastics and arsenic on plants: Interactions, toxicity and environmental implications
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how microplastics and arsenic interact in soil and their combined effects on plant health. When both pollutants are present together, they can have amplified toxic effects on plants, affecting growth, nutrient uptake, and stress responses. Since plants absorb these contaminants from soil, the interaction between microplastics and arsenic could increase human exposure to both pollutants through food crops.
Microplastic particles increase arsenic toxicity to rice seedlings
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how polystyrene and polytetrafluoroethylene microplastics interact with arsenic to affect rice seedling growth. They found that microplastics alone reduced plant biomass and inhibited photosynthesis, while the combination with arsenic at higher concentrations amplified the toxic effects on root activity and cell membranes. The study reveals that microplastic contamination in agricultural settings may worsen the impact of other pollutants on food crops.
Polyethylene Nanoplastics Intensify Arsenic Toxicity in Lettuce by Altering Arsenic Accumulation and Stress Pathways
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers grew lettuce in arsenic-contaminated farmland soil amended with polyethylene nanoplastics and found that nanoplastic exposure increased arsenic accumulation in edible leaves by 35–39%, reduced plant biomass by up to 30%, and disrupted antioxidant metabolism, highlighting compounded food safety risks in contaminated agricultural soils.
Synergistic effect of arsenate and microplastics and its toxicity mechanism on lettuce
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the combined effects of arsenate and polystyrene microplastics on lettuce growth. The study found that microplastics adsorbed arsenate from irrigation water and enhanced its uptake by lettuce, with the synergistic effect causing greater oxidative stress and growth inhibition than either contaminant alone.
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.