We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The Effect of Single and Combined Stress of Microplastics and Heavy Metals on Growth, Biochemical Components and Antioxidant Activity of Lemna gibba (Duckweed)
AI summary Read the abstract
Combined exposure of duckweed (Lemna gibba) to polypropylene or ABS microplastics alongside heavy metals zinc, copper, and nickel produced synergistic inhibitory effects on growth, photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidant capacity exceeding single-pollutant impacts. The study highlights that co-occurring microplastics and heavy metals—common in real aquatic environments—represent a compounded ecotoxicological threat to freshwater primary producers.
The increasing presence of microplastics (MPs) and heavy metals (HMs) in aquatic ecosystems poses a growing concern due to their potential ecotoxicological effects. While the individual toxicity of MPs and HMs has been widely investigated, limited attention has been given to their combined effects on aquatic macrophytes. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the single and combined impacts of two types of MPs [polypropylene (PP) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)] at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 mg L⁻¹, along with three typical HMs (Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Ni²⁺), on the growth, biochemical components, and antioxidant activity of the model macrophyte Lemna gibba under laboratory conditions over a 7-day exposure period. The results revealed that both contaminants alone negatively impacted growth and biochemical performance, but the combined application caused a more pronounced decrease, suggesting a synergistic inhibitory effect on plant metabolism. The simultaneous application of ABS-MP with nickel, copper, and zinc resulted in more pronounced adverse effects on L. gibba growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, and carbohydrate content compared to single-pollutant exposures. Co-application of copper and nickel induced pronounced oxidative stress in plant tissues, as evidenced by increased malondialdehyde levels. Furthermore, significant reductions were observed in total protein, total phenolic, and total flavonoid content across all treatments. Conversely, total antioxidant activity showed variable results dependent on the specific contaminant and concentration applied. These findings provide preliminary evidence that co-occurring MPs and HMs may exert additive or synergistic stress effects on aquatic macrophytes. In particular, the comparative evaluation of ABS and PP microplastics, along with Cu, Zn, and Ni treatments, highlights polymer- and metal-specific toxicity patterns and integrated antioxidant response profiles that have not been previously reported for L. gibba.
More Papers Like This
Biochemical and physiological insights into Lemna minor as a remediator of multi metal–microplastic contaminated waters
AI summary Read the abstract
This 42-day experiment tested how common duckweed (Lemna minor) responds to water contaminated with multiple heavy metals and polyethylene microplastics, finding that combined exposure severely stunted growth, depleted chlorophyll, and triggered major oxidative stress. Despite the damage, duckweed accumulated high concentrations of both heavy metals and microplastics in its tissue, suggesting potential for phytoremediation of contaminated water. Understanding how plants cope with — and absorb — these combined pollutants is important for both ecological risk assessment and developing water cleanup strategies.
Effect of microplastics treated with heavy metals on physiological and biochemical stress parameters in duckweed (Lemna minor)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the effects of heavy metal-treated microplastics (a mixture of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene) on physiological and biochemical stress parameters in marine organisms, finding that metal-contaminated microplastics altered stress responses compared to untreated plastic particles. The study highlights how abiotic weathering of microplastics can increase their ecotoxicological hazard through metal co-contamination.
Biological effects of microplastics contaminated by heavy metals on greater duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the biological effects of microplastics contaminated with a mixture of heavy metals — copper, lead, and zinc — on the aquatic macrophyte greater duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza), measuring growth rate and physiological parameters. The study found that metal-adsorbing microplastics posed greater phytotoxic stress than clean microplastics, highlighting the combined hazard of plastic and metal co-contamination.
Effects of microplastics and cadmium on growth rate, photosynthetic pigment content and antioxidant enzymes of duckweed (Lemma minor)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined the combined effects of polyethylene microplastics and cadmium on duckweed growth, photosynthesis, and antioxidant enzyme activity. The study found that microplastics at 50 mg/L caused the most severe growth inhibition and highest cadmium bioaccumulation in duckweed, while antioxidant enzymes showed complex dose-dependent responses suggesting that microplastics can alter heavy metal toxicity in aquatic plants.
Combined exposure to copper and polypropylene microplastics alters metal partitioning, chlorophyll homeostasis and phenylpropanoid metabolism in Nymphaea ‘Black Beauty’
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed a water lily plant, Nymphaea 'Black Beauty', to copper, polypropylene microplastics, or both together for 28 days. Combined exposure caused the greatest loss of chlorophyll, shifted copper buildup from roots into leaves, and changed lignin levels and stress-related genetic and chemical pathways differently in roots versus leaves.
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.