We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
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.
Microplastics (MP), small plastic particles below 5 mm, have become one of the central concerns of environmental risk assessment. Microplastics are continuously being released into the aquatic environment either directly through consumer products or indirectly through fragmentation of larger plastic materials. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of polyethylene microbeads from cosmetic products on duckweed (Lemna minor), a freshwater floating plant. The effects of microbeads from two exfoliating products on the specific leaf growth rate, the chlorophyll a and b content in the leaves, root number, root length and root cell viability were assessed. At the same time, water leachates from microbeads were also prepared to exclude the contribution of cosmetic ingredients on the measured impacts. Specific leaf growth rate and content of photosynthetic pigments in duckweed leaves were not affected by polyethylene microbeads, but these microbeads significantly affected the root growth by mechanical blocking. Sharp particles also reduced the viability of root cells, while the impact of microbeads with a smooth surface was neglected. It was concluded that microbeads from cosmetic products can also have negative impacts on floating plants in freshwater ecosystems.
More Papers Like This
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.
Effects of Microplastic Contamination on the Aquatic Plant Lemna minuta (Least Duckweed)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested the effects of microplastic contamination on the aquatic plant Lemna minuta, commonly known as least duckweed. The study found that exposure to microplastics affected plant growth and caused biochemical changes including altered chlorophyll levels over a 28-day period. The results suggest that microplastics can interfere with freshwater plant health, potentially disrupting aquatic ecosystems.
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.
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.
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.
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.