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The threat of micro/nanoplastic to aquatic plants: current knowledge, gaps, and future perspectives
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This review summarizes what is known about how micro- and nanoplastics affect aquatic plants, including how plants absorb these particles through roots and leaves and transport them internally. Exposure can alter plant growth, photosynthesis, and interactions with other organisms, though effects vary widely depending on plastic type and concentration. The authors highlight major research gaps and call for more studies on real-world conditions rather than controlled lab settings.
Plastics have been recognized as an emerging pollutant and have raised global concerns due to their widespread distribution in the environment and potential harm to living systems. However, research on the threat of micro/nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) to the unique group of aquatic plants is far behind, necessitating a comprehensive review to summarize current research progress and identify future research needs. This review explores the sources and distribution patterns of MPs/NPs in aquatic environments, highlighting their uptake by aquatic plants through roots and leaves, and subsequent translocation via the vascular system facilitated by the transpiration stream. Exposure to MPs/NPs elicits diverse effects on the growth, physiology, and ecological interactions of aquatic plants, with variations influenced by plastic properties, plant species, and experimental conditions. Furthermore, the presence of MPs/NPs can impact the toxicity and bioavailability of other associated toxicants to aquatic plants. This review shows critical knowledge gaps and emphasizes the need for future research to bridge the current understanding of the limitations and challenges posed by MPs/NPs in aquatic ecosystems.
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Adsorption, uptake and toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics: Effects on terrestrial plants and aquatic macrophytes
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This review summarizes research on how micro- and nanoplastics interact with terrestrial plants and aquatic macrophytes, finding that many species can absorb or take up plastic particles. Both short-term and long-term plastic exposure triggered stress responses in plants, and since plants are at the base of food chains and a major part of the human diet, there is concern about plastics moving up through the food web. The findings suggest that plastic pollution could potentially affect plant productivity and broader ecosystem function.
Micro- and nanoplastics-induced stress in plants: uptake, physiological disruption, and toxicity mechanisms
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This review paper summarizes existing research on how tiny plastic particles (called microplastics and nanoplastics) are absorbed by plants and damage their health. These plastic particles can build up in plant tissues and disrupt how plants grow and function, which matters because we eat these plants. Since plastic pollution keeps breaking down into smaller pieces that plants absorb, this could eventually affect the safety and quality of our food supply.
Microplastic/nanoplastic toxicity in plants: an imminent concern
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This review examines the growing body of research on how microplastics and nanoplastics affect terrestrial plants, from root uptake to changes in growth and gene expression. Researchers found that these particles can alter plant physiology and biochemistry at varying degrees depending on particle size and concentration. The study calls for more research on how plastic contamination in soil may ultimately affect food crop quality and human health through the food chain.
Uptake, transport and accumulation of micro- and nano-plastics in terrestrial plants and health risk associated with their transfer to food chain - A mini review.
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This review examines how micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) are taken up, transported, and accumulated in terrestrial plants, and assesses the associated health risks as MNPs transfer through the food chain from contaminated soil and water environments.
Tracing and trapping micro- and nanoplastics: Untapped mitigation potential of aquatic plants?
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Researchers used fluorescently labeled polystyrene particles to trace microplastic and nanoplastic uptake in three aquatic plant species, finding that nanoplastics concentrated primarily in roots via apoplastic transport with bioconcentration factors up to 306, suggesting floating plants like water hyacinth may be useful for removing plastic from contaminated water.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.