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Biospeckle optical coherence tomography reveals the mitigation of the harmful effects of heavy metal zinc in combination with polyethylene microplastics in lentil seeds
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Researchers used a novel optical imaging technique to show that polyethylene microplastics alone inhibit lentil seed germination, but when combined with the heavy metal zinc, the microplastics actually reduced zinc uptake by the seedlings, partially offsetting zinc's toxicity. This unexpected interaction suggests that microplastics can alter how plants absorb co-occurring pollutants, complicating predictions of combined contamination risks in agricultural soils.
Microplastic pollution has become prevalent due to industrialization and the wide use of plastic. In this study, the individual and combined effects of polyethylene microplastic with Zn on lentil seed germination were monitored using Biospeckle Optical Coherence Tomography (bOCT), a technique established by authors to visualize the internal activity of biological objects. The results imply that both 100 mg L-1 heavy metal Zn or polyethylene microplastics (PEMPs) alone had a strong inhibitory effect on lentils. However, in combination with PEMPs, the Zn toxicity on lentils was reduced due to the reduction of Zn uptake by the seedlings through the interaction of Zn and MPs. These findings suggest that PEMPs could be able to mitigate the effect on the bioavailability and toxicity of Zn on lentils.
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Synergistic effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and microplastics on lentil seeds by a non-invasive biospeckle optical coherence tomography
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Scientists tested how tiny titanium dioxide particles (found in sunscreen and food) and microplastics affect lentil seeds using a new imaging technique. They found that smaller particles boosted seed activity at low doses, but when combined with microplastics, the effects changed depending on the mix. This matters because these same particles and microplastics are in our food chain, and understanding how they interact could help us assess potential risks to the crops we eat.
The synergy of microplastics with the heavy metal zinc has resulted in reducing the toxic effects of zinc on lentil (Lens culinaris) seed germination and seedling growth
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Researchers investigated how polyethylene microplastics interact with zinc heavy metal contamination in lentil seed germination experiments. Unexpectedly, they found that the presence of microplastics actually reduced zinc toxicity to the plants, likely because the microplastics bound to zinc ions in solution and limited plant uptake. The study suggests that microplastic-metal interactions in agricultural soils may be more complex than simple additive toxicity.
Optical screening method to observe the biological activities of lentil (Lens culinaris) seeds quantitatively under the exposure of polyethylene microplastics (PEMPs) using ultrahigh accurate biospeckle optical coherence tomography
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Researchers used biospeckle optical coherence tomography (bOCT) to non-invasively monitor the effects of polyethylene microplastics (PEMPs) on lentil seed germination at concentrations of 10, 50, and 100 mg/L over 24 hours. They found that PEMPs significantly reduced internal seed activity as early as 6 hours into exposure — detectable only by bOCT prior to visible germination changes — demonstrating the technique's potential for early detection of microplastic effects on seed physiology.
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