We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Polyethylene Nanoplastics Intensify Arsenic Toxicity in Lettuce by Altering Arsenic Accumulation and Stress Pathways
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers grew lettuce in arsenic-contaminated farmland soil amended with polyethylene nanoplastics and found that nanoplastic exposure increased arsenic accumulation in edible leaves by 35–39%, reduced plant biomass by up to 30%, and disrupted antioxidant metabolism, highlighting compounded food safety risks in contaminated agricultural soils.
Nanoplastics (NPs) are increasingly detected in agricultural soils, yet their influence on arsenic (As) transfer and plant toxicity remains unclear. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was cultivated in farmland soil with a naturally high As background (98.8 mg·kg−1) to assess how polyethylene nanoplastics (PE NPs) affect rhizosphere conditions, As accumulation, and plant performance. PE NPs partially buffered soil acidification but reduced rhizosphere water content, while total soil As remained largely unchanged. Leaf As increased by 35–39%, with reduced biomass (up to 30%) and lower chlorophyll status (SPAD ~7% lower). Metabolomic analyses indicated dose-dependent alterations in central carbon metabolism and phenylalanine-related antioxidant metabolites, including suppressed tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates at higher PE levels. Overall, PE NPs enhanced transfer of background As to edible leaves and intensified phytotoxicity, underscoring the need to consider nanoplastics in risk assessment of As-affected soils.
More Papers Like This
Elevated CO2 Synergizes with Nanoplastics to Intensify Arsenic Mobilization, Biotransformation, and Plant Uptake in Soil-Spinach Systems
AI summary
This research examined how earthworm activity interacts with plastic mulch film residues in agricultural soils, measuring changes in soil enzymatic activity and earthworm behavior in plastic-contaminated plots. The study found that microplastics from mulch films suppress soil enzyme function, with implications for soil health and agricultural productivity.
Synergistic effect of arsenate and microplastics and its toxicity mechanism on lettuce
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the combined effects of arsenate and polystyrene microplastics on lettuce growth. The study found that microplastics adsorbed arsenate from irrigation water and enhanced its uptake by lettuce, with the synergistic effect causing greater oxidative stress and growth inhibition than either contaminant alone.
Mechanistic insight into the intensification of arsenic toxicity to rice (Oryza sativa L.) by nanoplastic: Phytohormone and glutathione metabolism modulation
AI summary Read the abstract
Nanoplastics at environmentally realistic levels did not harm rice plants on their own, but when combined with arsenic they made arsenic toxicity significantly worse, reducing plant growth by up to 23%. The nanoplastics increased arsenic uptake by disrupting plant hormones and weakening the plant's natural detoxification systems. This is concerning because rice is a staple food for billions of people, and agricultural soils increasingly contain both nanoplastics and heavy metals.
Microplastics change the safe production ability of arsenic-stressed rice (Oryza sativa L.) by regulating the antioxidant capacity, arsenic absorption, and distribution in rice
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how polyethylene and biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics interact with arsenic contamination to affect rice growth and food safety. They found that the type of microplastic influenced how arsenic accumulated in different parts of the rice plant, with some combinations increasing arsenic levels in the edible grain. The findings raise concerns about microplastic contamination in agricultural soils altering how toxic metals are taken up by food crops.
Effects of naturally aged microplastics on arsenic and cadmium accumulation in lettuce: Insights into rhizosphere microecology
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how naturally aged microplastics in soil affect the uptake of arsenic and cadmium by lettuce. At low concentrations, microplastics actually reduced heavy metal absorption and helped plant growth, but at higher concentrations they increased the amount of toxic metals taken up by the lettuce. This means microplastic-contaminated farmland could lead to higher levels of heavy metals in salad greens and other vegetables that people eat.
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.