We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Polyethylene microplastics enhanced the toxicity of diisobutyl phthalate in saline soil microorganisms
ClearImpact of microplastic addition on degradation of dibutyl phthalate in offshore sediments
Adding small amounts of polypropylene and polystyrene microplastics to marine sediments slightly enhanced breakdown of the plasticizer dibutyl phthalate, but higher concentrations inhibited degradation. The findings suggest microplastics alter the chemical fate of co-occurring pollutants in ocean sediments by affecting sorption and microbial communities.
Impact of microplastics and aged microplastics on the toxicity of emerging contaminants in the soil
Researchers assessed how polypropylene (PP) microplastics and UV-aged PP microplastics modify the toxicity of eight emerging organic contaminants -- including diclofenac, ciprofloxacin, and diuron -- on soil organism Enchytraeus crypticus, finding that while PP alone had no effect at 5 mg/kg, its presence significantly amplified the toxicity of all tested organic pollutants.
The combined effects of nanoplastics and dibutyl phthalate on Streptomyces coelicolor M145
Researchers examined the combined toxicity of nanoplastics and the plasticizer dibutyl phthalate on Streptomyces coelicolor, finding that their co-exposure produces different effects than either contaminant alone, highlighting concerns about combined plastic-related pollution.
Effect of polyethylene particles on dibutyl phthalate toxicity in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.).
Polyethylene microplastic fragments in soil reduced the uptake of the plasticizer chemical dibutyl phthalate (DBP) into lettuce roots but worsened its inhibitory effects on root growth. The complex interactions between microplastics and co-occurring chemical contaminants like phthalates can alter toxicity in unexpected ways, affecting both plant growth and the safety of food crops.
Effects of long-term plastic film mulching on microplastic and phthalate esters pollution in salt-affected soils: Microbial community shifts and enrichment of putative degraders
Researchers found that 1-30 years of continuous plastic film mulching in salinized cotton fields caused progressive accumulation of microplastics and their phthalate ester degradation products in soil, with co-contamination significantly altering soil microbial community composition and functional interactions.
Evaluation of individual and combined effects of microplastics and naphthalene on aquatic sediment: Disturbance of carbon and microbial dynamics
This study examined how biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics interact with naphthalene, a common pollutant, in aquatic sediments. When combined, the two pollutants significantly increased plant stress and reduced the ability of soil microbes to break down the naphthalene. The findings show that even biodegradable microplastics can worsen the effects of other pollutants in the environment, potentially affecting water quality and the food chain.
Bioassays to assess the ecotoxicological impact of polyethylene microplastics and two organic pollutants, simazine and ibuprofen
Researchers assessed the ecotoxicological impact of polyethylene microplastics combined with the organic pollutants simazine and ibuprofen using bioassays in terrestrial ecosystems, finding measurable toxic effects on soil organisms from both the microplastics and co-contaminants.
Effects of hexabromocyclododecane and polyethylene microplastics on soil bacterial communities
Researchers examined how the flame retardant hexabromocyclododecane and polyethylene microplastics, both separately and combined, affect bacterial communities in agricultural soil over four months. They found that microplastics and the combined exposure significantly altered bacterial diversity, while the flame retardant alone had less impact at low concentrations. The study suggests that the interaction between microplastics and chemical pollutants in soil can reshape microbial communities in ways that may affect soil function.
Combined toxicity influence of polypropylene microplastics and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate on physiological-biochemical characteristics of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
Researchers investigated the combined effects of polypropylene microplastics and the plasticizer DEHP on cucumber seedling health. They found that microplastics alone impaired photosynthesis and cell membrane stability, while DEHP individually also caused stress responses, but the mixture of both pollutants together produced more complex effects on the plants' antioxidant defenses. The study suggests that the co-presence of microplastics and plastic additives in agricultural soil may pose compounding risks to crop development.
Ecotoxicological effects of polyethylene microplastics and lead (Pb) on the biomass, activity, and community diversity of soil microbes
A soil experiment found that polyethylene microplastics made lead (a toxic heavy metal) more available in soil and worsened its harmful effects on soil microorganisms. The combination reduced beneficial enzyme activity, lowered microbial efficiency, and shifted the soil microbial community, suggesting that microplastic pollution in contaminated soils could amplify heavy metal toxicity in ways that ultimately affect food crops and human health.
Combined Toxicities of Di-Butyl Phthalate and Polyethylene Terephthalate to Zebrafish Embryos
Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polyethylene terephthalate microplastics and the plasticizer di-butyl phthalate, both alone and in combination. While the microplastics alone mainly delayed hatching, the plasticizer caused severe developmental abnormalities and death. The study found that the microplastics actually reduced the toxicity of the plasticizer by adsorbing it, though they also slowed its breakdown, creating a more persistent exposure risk.
Effects of polyethylene microplastic on the phytotoxicity of di-n-butyl phthalate in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. ramosa Hort)
Researchers investigated how polyethylene microplastics interact with the chemical pollutant di-n-butyl phthalate in lettuce and found that microplastics altered the plant's response to the toxin. The combination reduced photosynthesis, lowered chlorophyll content, and disrupted the plant's antioxidant defenses. The study highlights that microplastics in soil can change how plants respond to other contaminants, potentially compounding environmental harm.
Soil properties, microbial diversity, and changes in the functionality of saline-alkali soil are driven by microplastics
Researchers investigated the effects of polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics at different sizes and doses on saline-alkali soil properties and microbial communities. The study found that polyethylene had a stronger negative effect than polypropylene, significantly reducing microbial diversity at high doses and suppressing nitrogen fixation potential, while polypropylene treatment actually promoted some microbial diversity.
Combined toxicity of organophosphate flame retardants and polyethylene microplastics on Eisenia fetida: Biochemical and molecular insights
Researchers exposed earthworms to polyethylene microplastics, chlorinated flame retardants, and their combinations to assess combined toxicity effects. They found that the most toxic flame retardant (TDCPP) had its effects reduced when combined with microplastics, likely because the plastics absorbed the chemical and lowered its bioavailability. In contrast, microplastics enhanced the toxicity of another flame retardant (TCPP), demonstrating that microplastics can act as both carriers and modulators of co-contaminant toxicity in soil ecosystems.
The impact of microplastic and sulfanilamide co-exposure on soil microbiota
This study investigated what happens when microplastics and the antibiotic sulfanilamide are present together in soil, finding that the combination significantly altered soil microbial communities compared to either pollutant alone. Both conventional polyethylene and biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics interacted with the antibiotic to change bacterial diversity and soil chemistry. The results show that microplastics and antibiotics in agricultural soil can have compounding effects on soil health, potentially affecting the crops grown in it.
Plasticizers determine a deeper reshape of soil virome than microplastics
Researchers compared how microplastics and the common plasticizer diethyl phthalate independently affect soil viral communities, finding that the plasticizer caused a much more dramatic shift in viral diversity than the plastic particles themselves. Diethyl phthalate exposure led to a three-fold increase in viral genetic material and triggered widespread activation of dormant viruses within soil bacteria. The findings suggest that the chemical additives leaching from plastics may pose a greater threat to soil ecosystems than the physical plastic particles.
Combined toxicity of microplastic fibers and dibutyl phthalate on algae: Synergistic or antagonistic?
This study found that when microplastic fibers and the plasticizer DBP (a chemical commonly added to plastics) are combined, they cause more damage to freshwater algae than either pollutant alone. The combination produced a synergistic toxic effect, meaning the harm was greater than simply adding the effects of each pollutant together. Since both microplastic fibers and plasticizers are widespread in freshwater environments, their combined presence could threaten the base of aquatic food chains.
Distribution of microplastics and microorganisms and their relationship in high-salinity soil
Researchers characterized microplastic distribution and microbial community structure in high-salinity irrigated farmland soils in Inner Mongolia, finding polyethylene terephthalate particles concentrated near drainage infrastructure and identifying salt-tolerant and plastic-degrading bacterial taxa whose distribution correlated with long-term MP exposure.
Environmental microplastic and phthalate esters co-contamination, interrelationships, co-toxicity and mechanisms. A review
This review examines the widespread co-occurrence of microplastics and phthalate esters, common plastic softening chemicals, across water, soil, and living organisms. Researchers found that factors like temperature, UV exposure, and plastic type influence how much phthalate leaches from or adsorbs onto microplastics. Evidence indicates that the combination of these two pollutants produces synergistic toxic effects, including reproductive, neurological, and liver damage.
Toxic effects of polyethylene terephthalate microparticles and Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate on the calanoid copepod, Parvocalanus crassirostris
Researchers tested the toxic effects of polyethylene terephthalate microparticles and the plasticizer DEHP on aquatic organisms, finding that both caused harm individually and that combined exposure produced distinct toxic responses.
Effects of polyethylene microplastics and heavy metals on soil-plant microbial dynamics
This study examined how polyethylene microplastics interact with heavy metals in soil and found that microplastics significantly reduced plant growth while altering soil enzyme activity and microbial communities. The combination of microplastics and heavy metals disrupted nutrient cycling in the soil in ways that were different from either pollutant alone. These findings suggest that microplastic contamination in agricultural soil could affect crop nutrition and food production.
Combined toxicity of polyethylene microplastics and soil salinization to earthworms is generally antagonistic or additive
Researchers studied the combined effects of polyethylene microplastics and salt stress on earthworms and found that their interaction was generally antagonistic or additive rather than synergistic. Smaller microplastic particles triggered stronger avoidance behavior, while larger particles had little effect on their own. The findings suggest that in real-world soils where microplastics and salinity co-occur, their combined toxicity to soil organisms may not be worse than either stressor alone.
Effect of combined contaminants (i.e., microplastics and heavy metals) on the enzymatic activity of soils
Researchers assessed the combined and individual effects of heavy metals and microplastics on soil dehydrogenase enzyme activity across varying concentrations and exposure durations in controlled laboratory experiments. The combined presence of both pollutants caused greater reductions in enzymatic activity than either contaminant alone, demonstrating synergistic toxicity in soil microbial function.
The effects of single and combined pollution of PE microplastics and antibiotics in soil on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings
This study examined the combined effects of polyethylene microplastics and antibiotic exposure on soil organisms, finding that mixture exposure altered soil microbial community structure and promoted antibiotic resistance gene abundance more than either stressor alone. Co-exposure to microplastics and antibiotics poses compounded risks for soil microbiomes.