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The Influence of Mercury Pollution on the Growth of Bio-indicator Plants
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This study examined how mercury pollution affects the growth of bio-indicator plants, noting that microplastics floating in oceans are among the vectors through which heavy metals enter plant and animal tissues. It underscores the interconnected nature of different forms of environmental contamination.
Heavy metals are found naturally in the earth, and become concentrated as a result of human caused activities. Common sources are from mining and industrial wastes, vehicle emissions, lead- acid batteries, fertilisers, paints, treated woods, aging water supply infrastructure, and microplastics floating in the world's oceans. Heavy metals enter plant, animal and human tissues via air inhalation, diet and manual handling. Most of these chemicals including mercury, lead, cadmium and their compounds are among the most common and highly toxic substances capable of accumulation in living organisms. Heavy metals with excessive exposure to environmental objects behave like ecotoxicants that negatively affect not only individual organisms, but also the ecosystem as a whole.
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Microplastics as a Modulator of Mercury Biogeochemistry: Transport, Transformation, and Environmental Impacts.
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This review summarizes existing research on how tiny plastic particles called microplastics affect mercury, a toxic metal, in water, soil and air. It describes how microplastics can carry mercury, change its chemical form, and interact with microbes, while noting that effects of airborne microplastics on mercury are still poorly studied.
Toxicity of methylmercury in aquatic organisms and interaction with environmental factors and coexisting pollutants: A review
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This review examines how methylmercury, a toxic form of mercury found in fish, interacts with environmental factors including microplastics in aquatic ecosystems. The findings show that microplastics can alter how mercury accumulates in aquatic organisms, potentially changing the level of mercury contamination in seafood that people eat.
Impact of microplastics on bioaccumulation of heavy metals in rape (Brassica napus L.)
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Researchers found that microplastics influenced the bioaccumulation of copper and lead in rapeseed plants, with effects varying by microplastic concentration and heavy metal type, revealing how plastic pollution may alter contaminant uptake in crops.
Effects of combined microplastics and heavy metals pollution on terrestrial plants and rhizosphere environment: A review
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This review summarizes how microplastics and heavy metals interact in soil to affect plant growth and the surrounding ecosystem. When present together, these pollutants cause significantly more harm than either alone, reducing plant weight by up to 87.5% and altering how heavy metals accumulate in crops -- raising concerns about food safety and human exposure through contaminated agricultural products.
Detecting microplastics on aquatic vegetation in the Great Lakes
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This research examines the ability of algae and submerged aquatic plants in the Great Lakes to collect and accumulate microplastics on their surfaces. The study investigates aquatic vegetation as a potential biological indicator of microplastic contamination in freshwater systems.
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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.