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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Data from: Microplastics reduce eelgrass tolerance to heat stress with implications for restoration and blue carbon
ClearData from: Microplastics reduce eelgrass tolerance to heat stress with implications for restoration and blue carbon
A controlled mesocosm experiment showed that polyethylene/polypropylene microplastics in sediment reduced eelgrass root length by 65% and depleted energy reserves, with combined exposure to microplastics and a marine heatwave producing the most severe damage to below-ground biomass.
Microplastics reduce eelgrass tolerance to heat stress with implications for restoration and blue carbon
Researchers found that microplastic pollution in sediments significantly reduced eelgrass root growth and energy reserves, and when combined with simulated marine heatwaves, the effects were even more severe. The study suggests that microplastics may undermine seagrass restoration efforts and blue carbon storage by depleting the underground energy reserves that these ecosystems depend on for recovery and growth.
Microplastics threaten seagrass carbon sinks through microbial changes
A 28-day mesocosm experiment found that microplastics threaten seagrass blue carbon ecosystems by altering microbial communities in eelgrass beds, reducing carbon sequestration capacity particularly when combined with nutrient enrichment.
Microplastic pollution associated with reduced respiration in seagrass (Zostera marina L.) and associated epiphytes
Researchers examined how microplastic exposure from polyethylene and polypropylene affects the seagrass Zostera marina and the algae growing on its leaves. They found that microplastics significantly reduced respiration rates in both the seagrass and its associated epiphytes, while photosynthesis was less affected. The study suggests that microplastic pollution could quietly undermine the health of seagrass meadows, which provide critical ecosystem services in coastal waters.
Interactive impacts of heat stress and microplastics contamination on the growth and biochemical response of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and maize (Zea mays) plants
Researchers investigated how heat stress combined with polyethylene microplastic contamination in soil affects wheat and maize growth. They found that the combination significantly reduced plant height, root length, leaf area, and chlorophyll content more than either stressor alone. The findings highlight that microplastic pollution in agricultural soils could worsen the damage already caused by rising temperatures to food crops.
Combined effects of microplastics contamination and marine heatwaves on carbon cycling in coastal marine sediments
Researchers conducted a 21-day manipulative experiment to test the combined effects of microplastic contamination and simulated marine heatwave conditions on carbon cycling in temperate coastal marine sediments, measuring changes in organic matter quantity, composition, and carbon degradation rates. They found that the simultaneous occurrence of microplastics and elevated temperatures produced distinct effects on sedimentary organic matter processing compared to either stressor alone.
Microplastic pellets do not affect heat stress-induced night-time respiration in the brown alga Fucus serratus
Scientists tested whether tiny plastic particles affect a type of seaweed that lives along coastlines when exposed to heat stress. They found that heat alone stressed the seaweed, but the plastic particles didn't make things worse or cause additional harm. This suggests that these important coastal plants might be more resilient to plastic pollution than expected, which is good news since healthy seaweed ecosystems help protect our coastlines and support marine food webs that humans depend on.
Eelgrass (Zostera marina) and its epiphytic bacteria facilitate the sinking of microplastics in the seawater
Researchers found that eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows and their epiphytic bacteria facilitate the sinking and accumulation of microplastics in seabed sediments, identifying seagrass ecosystems as significant microplastic sinks in coastal marine environments.
Microplastic abundance and accumulation patterns in eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) meadows throughout coastal Massachusetts, USA
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in eelgrass meadows across coastal Massachusetts, finding microplastics present at all sites regardless of proximity to human development. The study suggests that microplastic accumulation patterns in seagrass ecosystems are related to epiphytic cover on leaves, plant morphology, and sediment bulk density, providing the first baseline concentrations for the temperate western North Atlantic.
Dominant effects of elevated CO2 over microplastics on physiological and microbial responses of submerged aquatic plants in eutrophic waters
Researchers investigated the combined effects of elevated CO2 and microplastics on submerged aquatic plants in eutrophic water, finding that elevated CO2 dominated over microplastics in determining plant physiological and microbial responses. The study highlights that climate change variables may override microplastic stress in some aquatic plant systems.
Warming coupled with elevated pCO2 modulates microplastic inhibition in a commercial red alga Pyropia haitanensis
Researchers cultured the commercially important red seaweed Pyropia haitanensis under elevated CO₂, warming, and a range of microplastic concentrations, finding that microplastics caused strong concentration-dependent stress on growth and photosynthesis, but that elevated pCO₂ modulated these inhibitory effects.
Responses of mangrove (Kandelia obovata) growth, photosynthesis, and rhizosphere soil properties to microplastic pollution
Researchers found that polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC microplastics significantly impaired mangrove (Kandelia obovata) root growth, photosynthesis, and soil microbial properties after 12 months of exposure, threatening mangrove ecosystem health.
Seagrass under siege: Investigating microplastic effects on seagrass ecosystems
Researchers reviewed the current evidence for microplastic effects on seagrass meadows, covering physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms of harm. The review found that microplastics impair seagrass photosynthesis, root function, and associated fauna, threatening these ecologically critical coastal habitats.
Effects of Microplastic Fibers and Drought on Plant Communities
Researchers added microplastic fibers to plant communities and applied drought stress, finding that microfibers reduced total community productivity and shifted species composition, with combined microplastic-drought stress causing greater harm than either factor alone.
Multi-omics reveals microplastics disrupt nitrogen assimilation in hydrophytes
Researchers used multi-omics approaches to investigate how microplastics and nanoplastics disrupt nitrogen assimilation pathways in hydrophytes, finding that plastic particle exposure impairs the nutrient removal function these aquatic plants provide in eutrophic water bodies.
Seagrass under siege: Investigating microplastic effects on seagrass ecosystems
Researchers reviewed the effects of microplastics on seagrass meadows, which are ecologically critical habitats that also trap and accumulate particulate matter. Evidence suggests microplastics can impair seagrass growth, root function, and associated fauna in these vulnerable ecosystems.
Data Sheet 1_Dual mobilization of buried microplastics and organic carbon driven by seagrass degradation: a case study from Swan Lake, China.docx
Researchers collected sediment cores from a Zostera japonica seagrass bed and adjacent degraded area in Swan Lake, China, finding that microplastic stock was significantly higher in intact seagrass beds (84.5 million particles/ha) than degraded areas, and that seagrass degradation releases both microplastics and stored organic carbon.
Supplementary material from " Microplastic pellets do not affect heat stress induced night-time respiration in the brown alga Fucus serratus "
Researchers tested whether conventional and biosourced microplastic pellets combined with heat stress affect night-time respiration in the brown alga Fucus serratus. The study found that while heat stress significantly increased respiration rates, the presence of microplastic pellets did not add to this effect, suggesting that short-term microplastic exposure may not compound thermal stress impacts on this intertidal seaweed species.
Supplementary material from " Microplastic pellets do not affect heat stress induced night-time respiration in the brown alga Fucus serratus "
Researchers tested whether conventional and biosourced microplastic pellets combined with heat stress affect night-time respiration in the brown alga Fucus serratus. The study found that while heat stress significantly increased respiration rates, the presence of microplastic pellets did not add to this effect, suggesting that short-term microplastic exposure may not compound thermal stress impacts on this intertidal seaweed species.
Uptake, growth, and oxidative stress responses of Rhizophora mucronata (Poir. in Lam.) propagules exposed to high-density polyethylene microplastics
Researchers exposed mangrove propagules to environmentally relevant concentrations of high-density polyethylene microplastics for three months and found that the particles accumulated on root surfaces and translocated into the shoot system. The microplastics caused significant reductions in root length, plant height, and foliar area, along with increased oxidative stress indicators. The study suggests that microplastic pollution poses a real threat to mangrove growth and could ultimately affect the diversity and productivity of mangrove forests.
The combined effects of ocean warming and microplastic pollution on marine phytoplankton community dynamics
Researchers studied the combined effects of microplastic pollution and rising ocean temperatures on tiny marine plants called phytoplankton. While microplastics alone had minimal impact at current temperatures, when combined with warmer water conditions, phytoplankton biomass dropped by 41% and diversity fell by nearly 39%. The study suggests that climate change may dramatically amplify the harmful effects of microplastic pollution on the ocean organisms responsible for a significant portion of global carbon capture.
The tolerance of a keystone ecosystem engineer to extreme heat stress is hampered by microplastic leachates
Researchers found that chemical substances leaching from microplastics significantly reduced the ability of blue mussels to survive extreme heat stress. At 35 degrees Celsius, mussels exposed to leachates from beached plastic pellets had the lowest survival rates, likely because weathered plastics release more toxic additives. This study shows how microplastic pollution and climate change can interact to threaten key marine species, which has cascading effects on coastal ecosystems that humans depend on.
Effects of plastic fragments on plant performance are mediated by soil properties and drought
Researchers found that plastic fragments reduced soil water content and negatively affected Arabidopsis thaliana growth, with effects most pronounced under drought conditions and dependent on soil texture, suggesting plastic pollution and water stress interact to compound harm to plants.
Bioavailability and phytotoxicity of micro/nanoplastics to aquatic plants: Trends, environmental drivers and mechanisms
This meta-analysis found that micro- and nanoplastics cause significant harm to aquatic plants, reducing their biomass and chlorophyll content through oxidative stress. Polyethylene was especially damaging, cutting plant biomass by over 42%. When plastic pollution harms the base of aquatic food chains, the effects can ripple upward through ecosystems that support both wildlife and human food sources.