Uptake and Effects of Microplastics in Pteris Vittata Plants Grown on Soil Amended with Sewage Sludge

Uptake of Microplastics and Their Effects on Plants

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Researchers reviewed accumulating evidence on microplastic uptake by terrestrial plants, finding that particles smaller than 200 nm can enter root cells and translocate to shoots, potentially disrupting photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and growth while opening a pathway for microplastics to enter the human food chain through crops.

Microplastics in Plant Species: Impacts and Ecological Perspectives

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This analysis examined how microplastics affect plant physiology in terrestrial ecosystems, including uptake through roots, translocation into edible tissues, disruption of photosynthesis, and alteration of soil microbial communities that plants depend on. Because many staple crops can absorb and accumulate microplastics from contaminated soil and irrigation water, agricultural microplastic pollution translates directly into human dietary exposure through fruits, vegetables, and grains.

Impact of Microplastics on Plant Growth

Effects of Microplastic on the Growth and Nutrient Absorption of Microalgae

The impact of Microplastic on freshwater macrophytes

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This French PhD thesis quantified microplastic release during the use phase of consumer products, with particular focus on salt shakers and other food contact items. The study found that use-phase wear and abrasion of plastic surfaces generated measurable microplastic particles that could contaminate food, representing a direct human dietary exposure route.