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Ecotoxicological effects of co-exposure biodegradable microplastics polylactic acid with cadmium are higher than conventional microplastics polystyrene with cadmium on the earthworm
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This study compared the effects of biodegradable PLA microplastics and conventional polystyrene microplastics when combined with cadmium (a toxic heavy metal) on earthworms. Surprisingly, the biodegradable PLA combined with cadmium was more toxic than the conventional plastic combination, causing greater DNA damage and more disruption to antioxidant defenses. This challenges the assumption that biodegradable plastics are safer for the environment and raises questions about their use as a replacement for conventional plastics.
Microplastics (MPs) are plastic fragments with particle sizes <5 mm, ubiquitously distributed in terrestrial environments. However, the negative effects of MPs, such as joint-pollution with heavy metals on soil fauna remain controversial. This study investigated survival rate, growth, reproduction, avoidance behavior, histology, biochemical assays, comet assay, qPCR, Cd content, and IBR index. We found that six types of traditional MPs (PC, PP, PVC, LDPE, PET and PS, and PLA (a biodegradable microplastics)) had no adverse effects on earthworm growth, survival and reproduction. Moreover, we found that earthworms exhibit an avoidance behavior towards PLA. Both PS and PLA can exacerbated Cd pollution, leading to loose circular muscle layer, DNA damage in coelomocytes, and impaired antioxidant system due to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS). mRNA level of HSP70 increased under joint-pollution of both PS and Cd or PLA and Cd compared to Cd treatment alone. MPs enhanced Cd accumulation in earthworms in Cd-contaminated soil. Notably, the Integrated Biomarkers Response index revealed that the toxicity of joint PLA and Cd was greater than the joint effect of PS and Cd, which might violate the original intention of biodegradable plastics having non-toxic influence on the soil fauna. Our findings provide new insights into the ecotoxicological effects of MPs, the joint ecotoxicological effects of MPs and Cd on earthworms, and the ecological risks of MPs to soil fauna.
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Microplastics and metals: Microplastics generated from biodegradable polylactic acid mulch reduce bioaccumulation of cadmium in earthworms compared to those generated from polyethylene
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Researchers compared how microplastics from biodegradable (PLA) and conventional (polyethylene) plastic mulch interact with cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, in soil with earthworms. PLA microplastics absorbed much more cadmium than polyethylene, reducing the amount of this toxic metal available to earthworms. While this suggests biodegradable plastics may offer some protection against heavy metal exposure in contaminated soils, both types still contribute to microplastic pollution.
Polylactic acid microplastics induce higher biotoxicity of decabromodiphenyl ethane on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) compared to polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics
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Researchers compared the combined toxicity of the flame retardant DBDPE with three types of microplastics on earthworms and found that polylactic acid (a bio-based plastic) caused more severe damage than conventional polyethylene or polypropylene. The co-exposure led to neurotoxic effects, tissue damage, and significant transcriptomic changes in the earthworms. The findings challenge the assumption that biodegradable plastics are inherently safer than conventional plastics when interacting with environmental contaminants.
The comparison effect on earthworms between conventional and biodegradable microplastics
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Researchers compared the effects of conventional polyethylene and biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics on earthworms over an extended exposure period. They found that biodegradable microplastics caused comparable or even greater harm than conventional plastics at certain concentrations, including reduced growth and reproduction. The findings challenge the assumption that biodegradable plastics are inherently safer for soil organisms.
Evaluation of the toxicity effects of microplastics and cadmium on earthworms
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Researchers evaluated the combined toxicity of microplastics and cadmium on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) using both short-term and long-term exposure experiments. They found that the co-exposure produced interactive toxic effects on antioxidant enzyme activity and caused DNA damage, with toxicity severity influenced by microplastic particle size and concentration. The study suggests that the presence of microplastics in contaminated soils can modify how heavy metals like cadmium affect soil organisms.
Ecotoxicological effects of microplastics and cadmium on the earthworm Eisenia foetida
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Researchers studied the effects of microplastics alone and combined with the heavy metal cadmium on earthworms over 42 days. They found that both exposures reduced growth and increased mortality, with the combined treatment causing the most damage through increased oxidative stress. The study also revealed that microplastics can increase cadmium accumulation in earthworms by up to 161%, suggesting microplastics may worsen heavy metal contamination in soil ecosystems.
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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.