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Growth responses of Celosia argentea L. in soils polluted with microplastics
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Researchers grew Celosia argentea L. in soils contaminated with 5, 10, and 20 grams of ground microplastics collected from university dumpsites, observing stunted growth and chlorosis compared to controls, and detecting significant accumulation of nickel, lead, and cadmium in the harvested leaves.
Abstract This research was carried out to study the various toxic effects of microplastics on commercial leafy vegetable Celosia argentea L. Plastics used in this experiment were obtained from heterogeneous sources from around different dumpsites in the University of Benin Ugbowo Campus. The plastics collected were grinded into three different bits and sizes, filtered and applied to the different plastic pots in the measurement of 5g, 10g and 20g respectively. The seeds of Celosia argentea L. was sown in the microplastic polluted soils and also the control Morphological characteristics were also observed and recorded and they include plant height, stem girth, leaf area amongst others. The plants were harvested after 52 days of observation and taken to the laboratory for heavy metal analysis. Results showed evidence of stunted growth, and chlorosis as compared to the control. Significant heavy metal accumulation was also recorded in the leaves and they include nickel, lead and cadmium.
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