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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastics and metals: Microplastics generated from biodegradable polylactic acid mulch reduce bioaccumulation of cadmium in earthworms compared to those generated from polyethylene
ClearEcotoxicological effects of co-exposure biodegradable microplastics polylactic acid with cadmium are higher than conventional microplastics polystyrene with cadmium on the earthworm
This study compared the effects of biodegradable PLA microplastics and conventional polystyrene microplastics when combined with cadmium (a toxic heavy metal) on earthworms. Surprisingly, the biodegradable PLA combined with cadmium was more toxic than the conventional plastic combination, causing greater DNA damage and more disruption to antioxidant defenses. This challenges the assumption that biodegradable plastics are safer for the environment and raises questions about their use as a replacement for conventional plastics.
Differential Impactsof Conventional and BiodegradableMicroplastics on Cadmium Transfer in a Soil-Earthworm-Lettuce System
A microcosm experiment tested how conventional and biodegradable microplastics affected cadmium transfer in a soil-earthworm-lettuce system. High doses of conventional MPs increased cadmium in plant shoots by 54% and in earthworms by 80%, while biodegradable MPs had less effect, suggesting polymer type matters for metal contamination risk in agroecosystems.
Differential Impacts of Conventional and Biodegradable Microplastics on Cadmium Transfer in a Soil-Earthworm-Lettuce System
Researchers compared how conventional and biodegradable microplastics affect cadmium transfer through a soil-earthworm-lettuce system. They found that high doses of conventional microplastics increased cadmium concentrations in lettuce shoots by 54 percent and in earthworms by 80 percent, while biodegradable microplastics actually decreased shoot cadmium by 30 percent. The study suggests that different types of microplastics have opposing effects on heavy metal contamination in the food chain.
Biodegradable microplastics adsorb more Cd than conventional microplastic and biofilms enhance their adsorption
Researchers compared how biodegradable polylactic acid and conventional polyethylene microplastics adsorb the heavy metal cadmium, with and without biofilm development from outdoor weathering. They found that pristine PLA adsorbed significantly more cadmium than pristine PE, and that biofilms forming on weathered plastics were responsible for most of the increased cadmium uptake. The study suggests that biodegradable microplastics in agricultural soils may pose a greater risk for heavy metal transport than conventional plastics.
Polylactic acid microplastics and earthworms drive cadmium bioaccumulation and toxicity in the soil–radish health community
Researchers examined how polylactic acid microplastics combined with earthworm activity affect cadmium uptake and toxicity in radish plants grown in contaminated soil. The combined treatment significantly increased cadmium accumulation in both roots and leaves while reducing plant biomass by approximately 75% compared to cadmium exposure alone. The findings suggest that biodegradable microplastics and soil fauna together can amplify heavy metal contamination risks in food crops.
Biodegradable microplastics coupled with biochar enhance Cd chelation and reduce Cd accumulation in Chinese cabbage
Researchers tested how biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics interact with biochar in soil contaminated with cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, and found that the combination reduced cadmium uptake in Chinese cabbage by up to 47%. The PLA promoted formation of natural chelating compounds in the root zone that bound the cadmium, suggesting a possible soil remediation benefit from certain biodegradable plastics.
Effects of microplastics on cadmium accumulation by rice and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities in cadmium-contaminated soil
Researchers studied how three types of microplastics interact with cadmium contamination in rice paddies, examining effects on plant growth, metal uptake, and soil fungal communities. They found that while microplastics generally increased cadmium availability in soil, they actually decreased cadmium accumulation in rice tissues. Notably, biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics caused more harm to plant growth and soil communities than conventional plastic types, challenging the assumption that biodegradable plastics are always safer.
Effects of conventional versus biodegradable microplastic exposure on oxidative stress and gut microorganisms in earthworms: A comparison with two different soils
Researchers compared the toxic effects of conventional polyethylene and biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics on earthworms in two different soil types. Both types of microplastic caused oxidative stress and altered gut microbiota in earthworms, with toxicity increasing at higher concentrations. The study found that microplastic concentration was more important than the type of plastic or soil in determining the level of harm, and that biodegradable plastics were not necessarily safer for soil organisms.
Biodegradable microplastics exert differential impacts from polyethylene on pesticide fate in soil-earthworm systems: insights into degradation selectivity and microbial mechanisms
This study compared how conventional polyethylene and biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics affect pesticide behavior in soil with earthworms. Researchers found that PLA at high concentrations actually accelerated pesticide breakdown and increased the accumulation of pesticide byproducts in earthworms by up to 82%, while also causing oxidative stress and gut bacteria disruption, suggesting biodegradable plastics may pose their own set of environmental risks.
Environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastics from agricultural mulch and cadmium negatively impact earthworms by triggering neurotoxicity and disrupting homeostasis
Researchers exposed earthworms to environmentally realistic levels of microplastics from agricultural mulch film combined with cadmium, a toxic heavy metal. The aged microplastics helped carry more cadmium into the earthworms' bodies, causing nerve damage, gut tissue injury, and disrupted metabolism. This study shows that microplastics in farm soil can make heavy metal contamination worse for soil organisms, with potential knock-on effects for the food chain.
The comparison effect on earthworms between conventional and biodegradable microplastics
Researchers compared the effects of conventional polyethylene and biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics on earthworms over an extended exposure period. They found that biodegradable microplastics caused comparable or even greater harm than conventional plastics at certain concentrations, including reduced growth and reproduction. The findings challenge the assumption that biodegradable plastics are inherently safer for soil organisms.
Plant Cadmium Toxicity and Biomarkers Are Differentially Modulated by Degradable and Nondegradable Microplastics in Soil
Researchers compared how degradable (polylactic acid) and nondegradable (polypropylene) microplastics affect cadmium toxicity in plants grown in contaminated soil. They found that polypropylene caused greater root growth inhibition, while polylactic acid led to higher levels of cellular stress markers at certain concentrations. The study reveals that both types of microplastics can alter soil chemistry and increase the uptake of heavy metals by crops, but through different mechanisms.
Impacts of polyethylene microplastics on bioavailability and toxicity of metals in soil
Researchers studied how polyethylene microplastics affect the bioavailability and toxicity of copper and nickel in soil using earthworms as test organisms. They found that adding microplastics to contaminated soil increased the bioavailability of the metals and enhanced their toxic effects on the earthworms. The study suggests that microplastics in soil can worsen heavy metal pollution by making metals more accessible and harmful to soil-dwelling organisms.
The Hidden Crisisof Biodegradable Plastics: PolylacticAcid Microplastics Increase Soil Cd and Pb Bioavailability and AssociatedHuman Health Risks
Researchers conducted a pot experiment to assess how polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics affect the soil availability and plant uptake of cadmium and lead in co-contaminated agricultural soils. PLA microplastics increased the bioavailability of both heavy metals, raising human health risks from crops grown in PLA-contaminated soils.
Insights into interactions of biodegradable and non-biodegradable microplastics with heavy metals
Researchers found that biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics can adsorb heavy metals like cadmium, copper, and chromium at rates comparable to or exceeding conventional non-biodegradable plastics, suggesting biodegradable microplastics may also serve as carriers of toxic metals in the environment.
Effects of microplastics and their combination with cadmium on Pinus massoniana are dependent on the type of microplastics
Researchers compared how conventional polyethylene and biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics, alone and combined with cadmium, affect the growth of Masson pine trees. The study found that the effects on tree growth depend significantly on the type of microplastic, suggesting that biodegradable plastics may not necessarily be less harmful to plants than conventional plastics when co-contaminated with heavy metals.
Combined effects of microplastics and cadmium on the soil-plant system: Phytotoxicity, Cd accumulation and microbial activity
Researchers tested how different microplastic types combined with cadmium affect plant growth and soil health. Aged and biodegradable microplastics increased cadmium uptake in mustard greens more than fresh conventional plastics did. The study also found that microplastics altered soil microbial activity, suggesting that plastic pollution in farmland could change how plants absorb toxic metals from contaminated soil.
Combined toxicity of microplastics and arsenic to earthworm (Eisenia fetida): a comparison of polyethylene, polylactic acid, and polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate
Researchers compared how conventional polyethylene and biodegradable microplastics (PLA and PBAT) interact with arsenic in soil using earthworms as a model organism over 28 days. The study found that all microplastic types reduced arsenic bioaccumulation in earthworm tissues, with biodegradable plastics showing stronger reductions, though co-exposure still caused physiological and oxidative stress effects.
Conventional low-density polyethylene microplastic induce stronger adverse effects on maize–soil–bacteria system than polylactic acid microplastic
A comparison of conventional low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics from mulch film found that LDPE consistently inhibited maize growth while low concentrations of PLA actually promoted it. Both plastic types entered maize root tissues but followed different pathways, and LDPE caused greater harm to soil bacterial communities, suggesting that switching from conventional to biodegradable mulch is genuinely beneficial for agricultural soil health.
The Hidden Crisis of Biodegradable Plastics: Polylactic Acid Microplastics Increase Soil Cd and Pb Bioavailability and Associated Human Health Risks
Researchers found that biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics, often marketed as eco-friendly alternatives, significantly increased the availability of toxic heavy metals like cadmium and lead in agricultural soil. The PLA particles altered soil chemistry and microbial communities, leading to greater heavy metal uptake by lettuce and substantially increased health risks for humans consuming the crops.