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Growth, physiological parameters and DNA methylation in Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleid exposed to PET micro-nanoplastic contaminated waters
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Researchers exposed duckweed plants to environmentally realistic levels of PET micro-nanoplastics from plastic bottles and found reduced growth, impaired photosynthesis, and changes in nutrient uptake. For the first time, the study also detected changes in DNA methylation patterns, meaning the plastics altered how genes are turned on and off without changing the DNA itself. This discovery of epigenetic effects from nanoplastics in plants raises questions about how plastic pollution could affect crop biology in ways we are only beginning to understand.
The effects of polyethylene terephthalate micro-nanoplastics (PET-MNPs) were tested on the model freshwater species Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleid., with focus on possible particle-induced epigenetic effects (i.e. alteration of DNA methylation status). MNPs (size ∼ 200-300 nm) were produced as water dispersions from PET bottles through repeated cycles of homogenization and used to prepare N-medium at two environmentally relevant concentrations (∼0.05 g L-1 and ∼0.1 g L-1 of MNPs). After 10 days of exposure, a reduction in fresh and dry weight was observed in treated plants, even if the average specific growth rate for both frond number and area was not altered. Impaired growth was coupled with a MNP-induced decrease of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (i.e. ΨETo and Piabs, indicators of photochemical efficiency) and starch concentration, as well as with alterations in plant ionomic profile and oxidative status. The methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) technique was used to assess possible changes in DNA methylation levels induced by plastic particles. The analysis showed unusual hypermethylation in 5'-CCGG sites that could be implicated in DNA protection from dangerous agents (i.e. reactive oxygen species) or in the formation of new epialleles. This work represents the first evidence of MNP-induced epigenetic modifications in the plant world.
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Investigating the Epigenetic Effects of Microplastics on DNA Methylation in Arabidopsis thaliana
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Scientists found that microplastics in soil can actually change how genes are switched on and off in plants, by altering chemical tags on their DNA (a process called methylation) — without changing the DNA sequence itself. This matters because these plants are the same kinds of crops we eat, and the affected genes were tied to stress responses and energy use, suggesting microplastic pollution could subtly reshape plant biology in ways that ripple through our food supply. This study was done in a lab plant (not a food crop) and doesn't yet tell us whether these changes affect human health, but it opens the door to future research on that question.
Phytotoxicity of microplastics to the floating plant Spirodela polyrhiza (L.): Plant functional traits and metabolomics
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Researchers exposed the aquatic plant duckweed to PVC microplastics and found that high concentrations severely stunted root growth by 42% and leaf reproduction by 61%. The microplastics disrupted the plant's carbon, nitrogen, and lipid metabolism, interfering with its ability to accumulate nutrients. Since aquatic plants are important for water ecosystems and can enter human food chains, this damage could have ripple effects on water quality and food safety.
Epigenetic and Gene Expression Responses in Daphnia magna to Polyethylene and Polystyrene Microplastics
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Researchers exposed water fleas (Daphnia magna) to polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics and examined changes at the genetic and molecular level. They found that the microplastics altered DNA methylation patterns and disrupted the expression of genes involved in reproduction and stress response. The study provides evidence that microplastic exposure can cause changes beyond physical harm, affecting organisms at the epigenetic level.
Plastic particles adsorb to the roots of freshwater vascular plant Spirodela polyrhiza but do not impair growth
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Nano- and microplastic particles were observed to adsorb to the roots of freshwater duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza) but did not measurably impair the plant's growth or physiology at the tested concentrations. While the plastics physically attached to root surfaces, the plant appeared resilient, though the long-term ecological significance remains to be determined.
Changes in global methylation patterns of Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to microplastics
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Researchers found that exposing mussels to polystyrene microplastics caused changes in their DNA methylation patterns, an epigenetic modification that controls how genes are turned on and off. Higher microplastic concentrations led to greater loss of methylation, and similar patterns were seen in wild mussels from polluted areas. This suggests microplastics could affect organisms at the genetic regulation level, potentially influencing metabolism and cell division.
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