We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The Response of Duckweed Lemna minor to Microplastics and Its Potential Use as a Bioindicator of Microplastic Pollution
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested duckweed Lemna minor as a bioindicator for freshwater microplastic pollution by exposing it to polyethylene microbeads, tire wear particles, PET fibers, and natural particles. Polyethylene microbeads adhered to duckweed at 10 times the rate of other particles and reduced root length, suggesting duckweed could serve as a practical monitor for the dominant polyethylene microplastics in freshwater.
Biomonitoring has become an indispensable tool for detecting various environmental pollutants, but microplastics have been greatly neglected in this context. They are currently monitored using multistep physico-chemical methods that are time-consuming and expensive, making the search for new monitoring options of great interest. In this context, the aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using an aquatic macrophyte as a bioindicator of microplastic pollution in freshwaters. Therefore, the effects and adhesion of three types of microplastics (polyethylene microbeads, tire wear particles, and polyethylene terephthalate fibers) and two types of natural particles (wood dust and cellulose particles) to duckweed Lemna minor were investigated. The results showed that fibers and natural particles had no effect on the specific growth rate, chlorophyll a content, and root length of duckweed, while a significant reduction in the latter was observed when duckweed was exposed to microbeads and tire wear particles. The percentage of adhered particles was ten times higher for polyethylene microbeads than for other microplastics and natural particles, suggesting that the adhesion of polyethylene microbeads to duckweed is specific. Because the majority of microplastics in freshwaters are made of polyethylene, the use of duckweed for their biomonitoring could provide important information on microplastic pollution in freshwaters.
More Papers Like This
Impact of polyethylene microbeads on the floating freshwater plant duckweed Lemna minor
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed duckweed — a small floating freshwater plant — to polyethylene microbeads from cosmetics and found that the beads adhered to the plant surface and reduced growth at higher concentrations. The study highlights how primary microplastics from consumer products can affect freshwater plants even at relatively low doses.
Phytoremediation potential of Lemna minor for removal of microplastics from aquatic environment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how the aquatic plant duckweed (Lemna minor) interacts with polyethylene microplastics, finding that the plant physically binds microplastics to its surface over time. The findings suggest duckweed has potential as a low-cost phytoremediation tool for removing microplastics from contaminated water.
Long-term interactions between microplastics and floating macrophyte Lemna minor: The potential for phytoremediation of microplastics in the aquatic environment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied whether the floating aquatic plant Lemna minor could be used to remove microplastics from water through a 12-week experiment. The plant tolerated high concentrations of polyethylene microplastics without significant health effects after an initial adjustment period, and the particles adhered readily to the plant biomass. The findings suggest that duckweed-based systems could offer a nature-based approach for capturing microplastics from contaminated waterways.
Identification Of The Microplastic Accumulation Potential in Lemna Minor Plant
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers incubated common duckweed (Lemna minor) in Citarum River water for 14 days and found peak microplastic absorption between days 5–7, with the plant removing up to 6% of particles per gram of biomass and preferentially accumulating fiber-shaped particles in the 1–3 mm size range.
Polyethylene microplastics adhere to Lemna minor (L.), yet have no effects on plant growth or feeding by Gammarus duebeni (Lillj.)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polyethylene microplastics readily adhered to all surfaces of the duckweed species Lemna minor but did not affect the plant's photosynthetic efficiency or growth over seven days. When microplastic-coated duckweed was fed to the freshwater amphipod Gammarus duebeni, the animals showed no changes in feeding behavior. The study suggests that aquatic plants may serve as vectors for microplastic transfer through freshwater food webs, even without being directly harmed.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.