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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Dynamics of accumulation and multilevel biological effects of various alkyl chain phthalates and microplastics in rye: New insights into individual, physiological, and molecular perspectives
ClearToxicity orchestrated by alkyl chain length of plasticizers and exposure time: Transfer mechanisms of microplastic-plasticizer co-contamination across the full life cycle of rye
Researchers studied how polystyrene microplastics combined with phthalate plasticizers of different chain lengths affect rye plants through both short-term and long-term experiments. Short-chain phthalates caused the strongest toxicity in hydroponic conditions, while long-chain DEHP combined with microplastics produced the greatest long-term damage, reducing grain weight by 38% and causing microplastic accumulation in seeds.
Carrier effects of microplastics in a hydroponic system: Amplifying diethyl phthalate toxicity and endophytic dysbiosis in Rye (Secale cereale L.) with implications for aquatic ecosystems
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics and diethyl phthalate (a common plasticizer) interact synergistically to cause severe toxicity in hydroponically grown rye, far exceeding the damage from either pollutant alone. The study revealed a bidirectional mechanism where microplastics adsorb the plasticizer while the plasticizer enhances microplastic uptake by roots, leading to photosynthetic collapse and disrupted endophytic microbial communities.
Revealing the bioavailability and phytotoxicity of different particle size microplastics on diethyl phthalate (DEP) in rye (Secale cereale L.)
Researchers studied how microplastics of different sizes interact with a common plasticizer chemical (DEP) in rye plants. Smaller nanoplastics were able to enter and move through the plant, disrupting leaf cells, while the plasticizer chemical increased the plant's uptake of nanoplastics. This suggests that microplastics and the chemicals they carry can work together to contaminate food crops, with smaller particles posing the greatest risk.
Nanoplastic impacts on the foliar uptake, metabolism and phytotoxicity of phthalate esters in corn (Zea mays L.) plants
Researchers investigated how amino-functionalized polystyrene nanoplastics affect the foliar uptake, metabolism, and toxicity of phthalate esters in corn seedlings. The study found that nanoplastics increased the accumulation of phthalate esters in leaves and altered their metabolic pathways within the plant. The findings suggest that nanoplastic pollution may amplify the phytotoxicity of co-occurring chemical pollutants in agricultural settings.
Polystyrene microplastics facilitate the chemical journey of phthalates through vegetable and aggravate phytotoxicity
This study showed that polystyrene microplastics in soil can absorb and carry phthalates (harmful chemicals used in plastics) into vegetable crops, increasing the amount of these toxic chemicals in the edible parts of the plants. The combination of microplastics and phthalates together was more damaging to plant health than either pollutant alone. This is concerning for human health because it means microplastics could be increasing our exposure to toxic chemicals through the vegetables we eat.
The trojan horse in agricultural water: How microbe-mediated interactions of nanoplastics and flame retardants drive multiscale toxicity and seed transmission in rye
Researchers investigated how nanoplastics and flame retardants interact when co-transported through agricultural irrigation water, using rye as a model crop. The study found that nanoplastics formed stable complexes with flame retardants via van der Waals forces, which accumulated in roots, translocated to seeds, caused severe oxidative damage, and reduced photosynthesis by nearly 65% through synergistic toxic effects.
Insights into the accumulation, distribution and toxicity of pyrene associated with microplastics in rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings
Rice seedlings were exposed to polyethylene microplastics loaded with C-labeled pyrene to track how a PAH contaminant moves through plants when associated with microplastics. Microplastic-bound pyrene was taken up by roots and translocated to shoots more efficiently than free pyrene, and the combined exposure caused greater oxidative stress than either contaminant alone.
Response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv.) to the coexistence of micro-/nanoplastics and phthalate esters alters its growth environment
Researchers studied how wheat responds to co-existing stressors of microplastics and another soil contaminant, finding that combined exposure altered plant growth, physiological parameters, and grain quality compared to single-stressor exposures. The results highlight the importance of testing contaminant mixtures in agricultural soils.
The combined toxicity of polystyrene microplastic and arsenate: From the view of biochemical process in wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.)
Researchers found that when wheat seedlings were exposed to both arsenic and polystyrene microplastics together, the microplastics reduced arsenic uptake in roots but dramatically increased arsenic transport to the above-ground parts of the plant — by up to 1,000%. This combined exposure caused more oxidative stress and damage to the plants' photosynthetic systems than arsenic alone. The findings suggest that microplastics in contaminated soil could increase how much toxic metal ends up in the edible parts of crops.
The joint toxicity of polyethylene microplastic and phenanthrene to wheat seedlings
Researchers studied the individual and combined effects of polyethylene microplastics and the pollutant phenanthrene on wheat seedlings grown in soil. They found that microplastics alone caused dose-dependent reductions in plant growth and damaged the photosynthetic system, while the combination with phenanthrene worsened the damage. The study suggests that the co-occurrence of microplastics and organic pollutants in agricultural soils may create compounding negative effects on crop growth.
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.
Interactions between phenanthrene and polystyrene micro/nano plastics: Implications for rice (Oryza sativa L.) toxicity.
Researchers investigated how polystyrene micro/nano plastics of different particle sizes and surface charges interact with phenanthrene and affect toxicity in rice (Oryza sativa L.), finding that these interactions significantly alter the biological effects and potential health risks of combined contaminant exposure.
Recent Advances on Multilevel Effects of Micro(Nano)Plastics and Coexisting Pollutants on Terrestrial Soil-Plants System
This review systematically summarizes how micro- and nanoplastics, alone and combined with co-existing pollutants, affect soil properties and terrestrial plants at multiple biological levels. Researchers found that microplastics can serve as carriers for heavy metals, organic contaminants, and biological pollutants, with their specific impacts depending on polymer type, size, shape, and concentration. Evidence indicates that plants can take up and transport micro- and nanoplastics, leading to effects on growth, metabolism, and even DNA damage.
Micro/nanoplastics: Critical review of their impacts on plants, interactions with other contaminants (antibiotics, heavy metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), and management strategies
This review examines how micro- and nanoplastics harm plants, both alone and in combination with other pollutants like antibiotics, heavy metals, and hydrocarbons. The combined exposure often worsens the damage, including inhibited growth, reduced seed germination, and genetic toxicity. The review also explores strategies to reduce this plant damage, which matters for food safety since contaminated crops are a route for microplastics to reach humans.
Freeze–ThawCycles Accelerate Plastic PollutionInvasion in Agriculture: Trojan Horse Effect of Microplastic–PlasticizerContamination Revealed in Rye via Computational Chemistry and Multiomics
Using hydroponic rye as a model, researchers showed that freeze-thaw cycles dramatically increased diethyl phthalate uptake into plants in the presence of microplastics, with the plasticizer boosting microplastic surface charge and facilitating plant entry. Transcriptomic and computational analyses revealed disruption of gene networks governing growth and stress response.
Coupled effects of microplastics and heavy metals on plants: Uptake, bioaccumulation, and environmental health perspectives
This review examines how microplastics and heavy metals work together to harm plants when both are present in soil. Microplastics can absorb heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic, and when plants take up these contaminated particles, the combined toxic effect is worse than either pollutant alone. This is concerning for human health because crops grown in contaminated soil could carry both microplastics and concentrated heavy metals into the food supply.
Looking into the effects of co-contamination by micro(nano)plastics in the presence of other pollutants on irrigated edible plants
This review examines the combined effects of micro- and nanoplastics with other pollutants found in treated wastewater used for crop irrigation. Researchers analyzed 19 studies and found that the joint exposure to plastics and contaminants like heavy metals or pesticides often produced different toxicity outcomes than either pollutant alone. The findings suggest that using reclaimed wastewater for irrigation may expose food crops to complex mixtures of pollutants whose combined effects are still poorly understood.
Impact of microplastics on bioaccumulation of heavy metals in rape (Brassica napus L.)
Researchers found that microplastics influenced the bioaccumulation of copper and lead in rapeseed plants, with effects varying by microplastic concentration and heavy metal type, revealing how plastic pollution may alter contaminant uptake in crops.
Meta-analysis reveals the combined effects of microplastics and heavy metal on plants
A meta-analysis of 57 studies found that the combined toxicity of microplastics and heavy metals on plants is driven primarily by the heavy metals, while microplastics mainly interact by inducing oxidative stress damage. Microplastic biodegradation emerged as a core factor influencing heavy metal accumulation in plants, with culture environment, heavy metal type, exposure duration, and microplastic concentration and size all playing roles.
A novel mechanism study of microplastic and As co-contamination on indica rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Researchers used pot experiments and computational chemistry to study how polystyrene and polytetrafluoroethylene microplastics affect arsenic uptake in rice plants. They found that both types of microplastics interacted with rice root compounds and influenced how much arsenic the plants absorbed from contaminated soil. The study reveals a previously unknown mechanism by which microplastic pollution in agricultural soils could increase toxic metal accumulation in a major food crop.