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Papers
72 resultsShowing papers from ZheJiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences
ClearThe combination of microplastics and glyphosate affects the microbiome of soil inhabitant Enchytraeus crypticus
Researchers tested how microplastics and the common herbicide glyphosate affect soil health when present together. Biodegradable PLA plastic combined with glyphosate had the most damaging effects on both soil bacteria and the gut microbiome of soil worms, worse than conventional PET plastic. These results suggest that using biodegradable plastics alongside pesticides in agriculture may pose greater ecological risks than previously thought.
How biochar works, and when it doesn't: A review of mechanisms controlling soil and plant responses to biochar
This comprehensive review synthesizes 20 years of research on biochar, a charcoal-like material made from organic waste that can improve soil health and reduce pollution. Biochar can reduce plant uptake of heavy metals by 17-39% and increase nutrient availability, making it potentially useful for cleaning up microplastic-contaminated soils. While not directly about microplastics, the findings are relevant because biochar could help mitigate the effects of soil pollutants that microplastics carry and concentrate.
Combined exposure to microplastics and copper elicited size-dependent uptake and toxicity responses in red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkia)
Scientists exposed red swamp crayfish to microplastics of two sizes combined with copper, finding that smaller microplastics increased copper accumulation in tissues and caused more organ damage. The combined exposure reduced antioxidant defenses and disrupted genes that help regulate copper in the body. Since crayfish is widely consumed, this study raises concerns that microplastics in waterways could increase the amount of toxic metals that accumulate in popular seafood.
Polystyrene microplastics exacerbate mitophagy through mitochondrial dysfunction in the duck lung
Ducks fed polystyrene microplastics developed lung inflammation and damage through a process where the plastics disrupted the energy-producing mitochondria in lung cells, triggering excessive cell self-destruction. The study confirmed these findings in both live ducks and lab-grown lung cells, showing that the microplastics activated inflammatory pathways and disrupted normal energy metabolism. Since ducks are widely consumed as food, the research highlights how microplastics can damage poultry lung health and provides insights into how inhaled or ingested microplastics might similarly harm human lungs.
Plant pathogenesis: Toward multidimensional understanding of the microbiome
This review explores how the full community of microorganisms on a plant, not just single pathogens, contributes to plant disease. The authors introduce the concept of a 'pathobiome,' the disease-promoting portion of a plant's microbiome that can be influenced by environmental stressors. While not directly about microplastics, the findings are relevant because soil microplastic contamination can alter plant-associated microbial communities in ways that may promote crop diseases.
Metabolomics and microbiomics revealed the combined effects of different-sized polystyrene microplastics and imidacloprid on earthworm intestinal health and function
This study examined how different-sized polystyrene microplastics combined with a common pesticide affected earthworm gut health. The combination disrupted gut bacteria, altered metabolism, and hindered nutrient absorption more severely than either pollutant alone. Since earthworms are critical for soil health in farmland, this damage could indirectly affect crop quality and human food safety.
Oxidative degradation and possible interactions of coexisting decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) on polystyrene microplastics in UV/chlorine process
This study examined how a common flame retardant chemical (BDE-209) attached to polystyrene microplastics behaves during UV/chlorine water treatment. The microplastics actually inhibited the breakdown of the flame retardant and changed what toxic byproducts formed during treatment. This is concerning because it means microplastics carrying toxic chemicals may be harder to clean up with standard water treatment methods, and the interaction between them could create new harmful compounds.
Environmental concentrations of microplastic-induced gut microbiota and metabolite disruption in silkworm, Bombyx mori
Exposing silkworms to environmentally realistic concentrations of microplastics disrupted their gut bacteria and altered metabolites involved in energy, fat metabolism, and immune function. Even low-level exposure caused significant shifts in microbial communities and metabolic pathways without killing the organisms. This research highlights how microplastics can cause hidden health effects by disrupting the gut microbiome, a concern that extends to humans who are also exposed through food and water.
Combined effects of different-sized microplastics and fluindapyr on earthworm: Bioaccumulation, oxidative stress, histopathological responses and gut microbiota
This study exposed earthworms to microplastics of different sizes combined with a common fungicide and found that smaller microplastics caused more damage, including greater oxidative stress, tissue injury, and disruption to gut bacteria. The microplastics also increased the earthworms' absorption of the fungicide, amplifying its toxic effects. Since earthworms are essential for soil health and agriculture, this combined pollution could indirectly affect food production and the quality of crops grown in contaminated soil.
Microplastics are a hotspot for antibiotic resistance genes: Progress and perspective
This review examines growing evidence that microplastics serve as hotspots for antibiotic resistance genes in the environment. Researchers found that microplastics selectively accumulate antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes on their surfaces across wastewater, aquatic, and terrestrial environments. The dense bacterial communities and concentrated pollutants on microplastic surfaces create favorable conditions for the spread and evolution of antibiotic resistance, raising concerns about potential risks to human health.
Antimicrobial and the Resistances in the Environment: Ecological and Health Risks, Influencing Factors, and Mitigation Strategies
This review examines how antimicrobial contamination in the environment contributes to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. Researchers found that residual antimicrobials from medical and agricultural use continuously enter ecosystems, promoting the spread of resistant bacteria and resistance genes. The study highlights environmental factors that are often overlooked and discusses strategies for reducing antimicrobial pollution and limiting resistance spread.
Microplastics addition reduced the toxicity and uptake of cadmium to Brassica chinensis L.
Researchers studied how the presence of microplastics in soil affects the toxicity and uptake of cadmium, a harmful heavy metal, by Chinese cabbage plants. They found that microplastics actually reduced cadmium accumulation in the plants by adsorbing the metal onto their surfaces, effectively lowering its availability in the soil. While this reduced cadmium toxicity to the plants, the study notes that microplastics themselves may introduce other environmental risks.
Combined impacts of microplastics and cadmium on the liver function, immune response, and intestinal microbiota of crucian carp (Carassius carassius)
Researchers exposed crucian carp to microplastics and cadmium, both alone and together, and found the combination caused more severe liver damage and immune disruption than either pollutant alone. Co-exposure also significantly altered the fish's gut bacteria after 21 days. This is concerning because microplastics and heavy metals frequently co-occur in polluted waterways, potentially amplifying harm to aquatic life.
Distinct species turnover patterns shaped the richness of antibiotic resistance genes on eight different microplastic polymers
Researchers studied antibiotic resistance genes on eight different types of microplastic surfaces in the environment and found 479 different resistance genes across all plastic types. Biodegradable plastics actually harbored more dangerous bacteria carrying resistance genes than conventional plastics, including species linked to human disease like Vibrio cholerae. This is concerning because these microplastics could spread antibiotic-resistant infections through the environment to people.
The underestimated environmental risk of tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate photodegradation in aqueous environment induced by polystyrene microplastics
This study found that polystyrene microplastics in water speed up the breakdown of a common flame retardant chemical called TCEP, generating new compounds that are more toxic than TCEP itself. Sun-aged microplastics were especially effective at producing harmful reactive oxygen species that drove these chemical reactions. The research reveals an overlooked risk: microplastics do not just carry pollutants but can actively make them more dangerous through chemical interactions.
Integrating automated machine learning and metabolic reprogramming for the identification of microplastic in soil: A case study on soybean
Scientists used automated machine learning to detect microplastic contamination in soybean plants by analyzing changes in the plants' metabolism and antioxidant systems. The technology could identify microplastic-contaminated crops with high accuracy, even when pesticides were also present. This rapid detection method could help monitor food crop safety and identify fields where microplastic pollution threatens the food supply.
YTHDF2-mediated regulations bifurcate BHPF-induced programmed cell deaths
Researchers found that BHPF, a chemical substitute for BPA commonly used in plastic manufacturing, was detected in 14% of pregnant women's blood samples and caused heart and blood vessel defects in zebrafish embryos. The chemical works by disrupting a key RNA-regulating protein, triggering different types of cell death in different tissues. This study raises concerns that BPA replacement chemicals in plastics may not be safer and could pose risks to developing babies.
Effects of agricultural inputs on soil virome-associated antibiotic resistance and virulence: A focus on manure, microplastic and pesticide
Researchers studied how agricultural inputs including manure, microplastics, and pesticides affect virus communities in soil and their potential to carry antibiotic resistance genes. They found that manure application significantly increased both viral diversity and the abundance of resistance and virulence genes carried by viruses. The study reveals that soil viruses may play a previously underappreciated role in spreading antibiotic resistance through agricultural ecosystems.
A bibliometric analysis and literature review of earthworms used as bio-indicators for assessing soil heavy metal pollution
Researchers conducted a bibliometric analysis of two decades of studies on using earthworms as biological indicators of soil heavy metal pollution. They found that zinc, copper, cadmium, and lead are the most commonly studied metals, with growing interest in how earthworms accumulate and respond to these contaminants. The review highlights earthworms as valuable tools for monitoring soil health and identifies emerging research directions in soil pollution assessment.
Effects of chronic co-exposure polystyrene nanoplastics and cadmium on liver function in Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio)
Researchers exposed Prussian carp to polystyrene nanoplastics and cadmium, both individually and together, for 21 days and found that the combination caused significantly worse liver damage than either pollutant alone. The nanoplastics enhanced cadmium accumulation in the liver and amplified oxidative stress, tissue damage, and immune gene activation. The findings demonstrate that nanoplastics and heavy metals can have synergistic toxic effects on aquatic organisms.
Comprehensive analysis of nanoplastic effects on growth phenotype, nanoplastic accumulation, oxidative stress response, gene expression, and metabolite accumulation in multiple strawberry cultivars
Researchers tested how polystyrene nanoplastics affect different strawberry varieties and found that low concentrations stimulated growth while high concentrations stunted it. Different cultivars showed widely varying sensitivity, with some absorbing and accumulating far more nanoplastics through their roots than others. The study identified specific genes involved in calcium transport and oxidative stress responses that help explain why certain strawberry varieties are more vulnerable to nanoplastic exposure.
Nano- and micro-polystyrene plastics interfered the gut barrier function mediated by exosomal miRNAs in rats
Researchers exposed rats to nano- and micro-sized polystyrene plastics for four weeks and found that both disrupted gut barrier function and altered gut microbiota composition. The particles changed the profile of small RNA molecules called miRNAs carried by exosomes in the intestine and blood, particularly reducing miR-126a-3p, which is involved in maintaining gut integrity. The study suggests that plastic particles may damage the intestinal barrier through a previously unknown mechanism involving cell-to-cell communication via exosomes.
Comparison of the aquatic toxicity of diquat and its metabolites to zebrafish Danio rerio
Researchers tested the herbicide diquat and its environmental breakdown products on zebrafish embryos and larvae, finding that while none caused acute death at realistic exposure levels, both diquat and one of its metabolites triggered significant oxidative stress — a form of cellular damage — and disrupted the activity of protective antioxidant enzymes. The findings highlight that a pesticide's metabolites can be just as harmful as the original chemical.
Polystyrene microplastics exacerbate experimental colitis in mice tightly associated with the occurrence of hepatic inflammation
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics worsened experimentally induced colitis in mice, causing greater intestinal inflammation, reduced mucus secretion, and increased gut permeability. The study also revealed that microplastic exposure in mice with colitis increased the risk of secondary liver inflammation, suggesting that individuals with pre-existing gut conditions may be more vulnerable to microplastic exposure.