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Synergistic modulation of Lead (II) bioavailability by polyethylene terephthalate microplastics and insights into assimilation kinetics in Canna indica

International Journal of Science and Research Archive 2026 Score: 40 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Simeon Chukwuemeka Ebere, Beniah Obinna Isiuku Beniah Obinna Isiuku Verla Evelyn Ngozi, Verla Evelyn Ngozi, Verla Evelyn Ngozi, Verla Evelyn Ngozi, Verla Evelyn Ngozi, Verla Evelyn Ngozi, Verla Evelyn Ngozi, Verla Evelyn Ngozi, Verla Andrew Wirnkor, Beniah Obinna Isiuku

Summary

Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in soil can make plants absorb up to 250% more lead, a toxic heavy metal that's harmful to humans. This happens because the plastic pieces act like a delivery system, carrying more lead into plants that we might eventually eat. This research suggests that areas with plastic pollution in the soil could pose greater health risks than previously thought, especially for crops grown in contaminated areas.

The proliferation of microplastics (MPs) in terrestrial ecosystems has introduced a novel variable into the biogeochemical cycling of heavy metals. This study elucidates the role of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) microplastics in modulating the bioavailability and assimilation kinetics of Lead(II) ions Pb2+ in Canna indica. Through a 35-day microcosm experiment, we investigated the interplay between PET dosage (0.5–2.5 g), initialPb2+concentration (5–45 mg/L), and soil pH (4.0–7.0). Our findings reveal a significant "vector effect," where PET amendment increased Pb uptake by up to 250% compared to MP-free controls. Assimilation was highest under acidic conditions (pH 4.0), reaching 4.529 mg g-1, suggesting that pH-mediated desorption from PET surfaces governs metal mobility. The uptake behavior conformed to the Freundlich isotherm (R2 > 0.98), indicating a multi-layer, heterogeneous sorption process, while pseudo-first-order kinetics highlighted a time-dependent saturation of plant tissues. These results underscore the potential for microplastics to exacerbate heavy metal bioaccumulation in phytoremediation-relevant species, necessitating a re-evaluation of soil safety standards in plastic-contaminated agricultural zones.

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