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Deo L, Benjamin LK, Osborne JW. Critical review on unveiling the toxic and recalcitrant effects of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems and their degradation by microbes. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:896. [PMID: 39230754 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-13023-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
Production of synthetic plastic obtained from fossil fuels are considered as a constantly growing problem and lack in the management of plastic waste has led to severe microplastic pollution in the aquatic ecosystem. Plastic particles less than 5mm are termed as microplastics (MPs), these are pervasive in water and soil, it can also withstand longer period of time with high durability. It can be broken down into smaller particles and can be adsorbed by various life-forms. Most marine organisms tend to consume plastic debris that can be accumulated easily into the vertebrates, invertebrates and planktonic entities. Often these plastic particles surpass the food chain, resulting in the damage of various organs and inhibiting the uptake of food due to the accumulation of microplastics. In this review, the physical and chemical properties of microplastics, as well as their effects on the environment and toxicity of their chemical constituents are discussed. In addition, the paper also sheds light on the potential of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae which play a pivotal role in the process of microplastics degradation. The mechanism of microbial degradation, the factors that affect degradation, and the current advancements in genetic and metabolic engineering of microbes to promote degradation are also summarized. The paper also provides information on the bacterial, algal and fungal degradation mechanism including the possible enzymes involved in microplastic degradation. It also investigates the difficulties, limitations, and potential developments that may occur in the field of microbial microplastic degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loknath Deo
- Department of Plant Pathology and Entomology, VIT-School of Agricultural Innovation and Advanced Learning, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Lincy Kirubhadharsini Benjamin
- Department of Plant Pathology and Entomology, VIT-School of Agricultural Innovation and Advanced Learning, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Jabez William Osborne
- Department of Biosciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
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2
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Garello NA, Blettler MCM, Gündoğdu S, Rabuffetti AP, Pascuale D, Espínola LA, Wantzen KM. Trashy treasures? The increasing terrestrial invertebrate diversity in small-scale dumps. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 361:124818. [PMID: 39187059 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2024] [Revised: 08/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
The research on the impact of plastic pollution on biodiversity has primarily focused on aquatic ecosystems, especially marine ones. Therefore, it is vital to assess how plastic pollution affects other environments and organisms, including terrestrial invertebrates. These organisms are widely recognized for their susceptibility to environmental changes and pollution. The objectives of this study were i) to investigate the potential influence (positive or negative) of macroplastic debris (MaP) on invertebrates inhabiting riverine sandy environments, ii) the potential occurrence of the microplastic (MP) adherence phenomenon on the invertebrate's body by entanglement on the body's setae or electrostatic effect (i.e., bioadhesion), and iii) the effects of removal of debris on the colonized diversity. By performing a mesocosm experiment, emulating a "small-scale dump" (also called micro-waste sites), we found that terrestrial invertebrates show a preference for colonizing areas rich in MaP, resulting in higher species richness in these areas (39 taxa in areas containing plastic debris vs. 21 taxa in areas free of plastics). This preference is likely due to the provision of shade, protection, and distinct micro-habitats offered by MaP. Regarding MP, we observed a significant number of invertebrates with MPs attached to their bodies (4.3 ± 0.8 MPs attached per individual), mainly wolf spiders (Lycosidae) and ground beetles (Carabidae), suggesting potential negative ecological implications that are discussed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás A Garello
- The National Institute of Limnology (INALI, CONICET-UNL), Ciudad Universitaria (3000), Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Martín C M Blettler
- The National Institute of Limnology (INALI, CONICET-UNL), Ciudad Universitaria (3000), Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Sedat Gündoğdu
- Faculty of Fisheries, Department of Basic Sciences, Cukurova University, 01330, Adana, Turkey.
| | - Ana Pia Rabuffetti
- The National Institute of Limnology (INALI, CONICET-UNL), Ciudad Universitaria (3000), Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Daiana Pascuale
- The National Institute of Limnology (INALI, CONICET-UNL), Ciudad Universitaria (3000), Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Luis A Espínola
- The National Institute of Limnology (INALI, CONICET-UNL), Ciudad Universitaria (3000), Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Karl M Wantzen
- UNESCO Chair River Culture, CNRS UMR, 7324 CITERES and Graduate School of Engineering Polytech Tours, University of Tours, France; EUCOR Excellence Chair "Water and Sustainability", Institut Terre et Environnement de Strasbourg (ITES) (CNRS/ENGEES UMR7063) Université de Strasbourg, France and Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, Germany.
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Tayyab M, Kazmi SSUH, Pastorino P, Saqib HSA, Yaseen ZM, Hanif MS, Islam W. Microplastics in agroecosystems: Soil-plant dynamics and effective remediation approaches. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 362:142641. [PMID: 38906184 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Increasing microplastic (MP) pollution, primarily from anthropogenic sources such as plastic film mulching, waste degradation, and agricultural practices, has emerged as a pressing global environmental concern. This review examines the direct and indirect effects of MPs on crops, both in isolation and in conjunction with other contaminants, to elucidate their combined toxicological impacts. Organic fertilizers predominantly contain 78.6% blue, 9.5% black, and 8.3% red MPs, while irrigation water in agroecosystems contains 66.2% white, 15.4% blue, and 8.1% black MPs, ranging from 0-1 mm to 4-5 mm in size. We elucidate five pivotal insights: Firstly, soil MPs exhibit affinity towards crop roots, seeds, and vascular systems, impeding water and nutrient uptake. Secondly, MPs induce oxidative stress in crops, disrupting vital metabolic processes. Thirdly, leachates from MPs elicit cytotoxic and genotoxic responses in crops. Fourthly, MPs disrupt soil biotic and abiotic dynamics, influencing water and nutrient availability for crops. Lastly, the cumulative effects of MPs and co-existing contaminants in agricultural soils detrimentally affect crop yield. Thus, we advocate agronomic interventions as practical remedies. These include biochar input, application of growth regulators, substitution of plastic mulch with crop residues, promotion of biological degradation, and encouragement of crop diversification. However, the efficacy of these measures varies based on MP type and dosage. As MP volumes increase, exploring alternative mitigation strategies such as bio-based plastics and environmentally friendly biotechnological solutions is imperative. Recognizing the persistence of plastics, policymakers should enact legislation favoring the mitigation and substitution of non-degradable materials with bio-derived or compostable alternatives. This review demonstrates the urgent need for collective efforts to alleviate MP pollution and emphasizes sustainable interventions for agricultural ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Tayyab
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China.
| | - Syed Shabi Ul Hassan Kazmi
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China; Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Urban Environment Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Paolo Pastorino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, 10154, Torino, Italy
| | - Hafiz Sohaib Ahmed Saqib
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yunnan, 666303, China
| | - Zaher Mundher Yaseen
- Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia; Interdisciplinary Research Center for Membranes and Water Security, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Sajid Hanif
- Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Waqar Islam
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China
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Sender J, Różańska-Boczula M. Preliminary studies of selected Lemna species on the oxygen production potential in relation to some ecological factors. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17322. [PMID: 38903884 PMCID: PMC11188931 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Dissolved oxygen is fundamental for chemical and biochemical processes occurring in natural waters and critical for the life of aquatic organisms. Many organisms are responsible for altering organic matter and oxygen transfers across ecosystem or habitat boundaries and, thus, engineering the oxygen balance of the system. Due to such Lemna features as small size, simple structure, vegetative reproduction and rapid growth, as well as frequent mass occurrence in the form of thick mats, they make them very effective in oxygenating water. The research was undertaken to assess the impact of various species of duckweed (L. minor and L. trisulca) on dissolved oxygen content and detritus production in water and the role of ecological factors (light, atmospheric pressure, conductivity, and temperature) in this process. For this purpose, experiments were carried out with combinations of L. minor and L. trisulca. On this basis, the content of oxygen dissolved in water was determined depending on the growth of duckweed. Linear regression models were developed to assess the dynamics of changes in oxygen content and, consequently, organic matter produced by the Lemna. The research showed that the presence of L. trisulca causes an increase in dissolved oxygen content in water. It was also shown that an increase in atmospheric pressure had a positive effect on the ability of duckweed to produce oxygen, regardless of its type. The negative correlation between conductivity and water oxygenation, obtained in conditions of limited light access, allows us to assume that higher water conductivity limits oxygen production by all combinations of duckweeds when the light supply is low. Based on the developed models, it was shown that the highest increase in organic matter would be observed in the case of mixed duckweed and the lowest in the presence of the L. minor species, regardless of light conditions. Moreover, it was shown that pleustophytes have different heat capacities, and L. trisulca has the highest ability to accumulate heat in water for the tested duckweed combinations. The provided knowledge may help determine the good habitat conditions of duckweed, indicating its role in purifying water reservoirs as an effect of producing organic matter and shaping oxygen conditions with the participation of various Lemna species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Sender
- Department of Hydrobiology and Protection of Ecosystems, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Monika Różańska-Boczula
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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Peller JR, Tabor G, Davis C, Iceman C, Nwachukwu O, Doudrick K, Wilson A, Suprenant A, Dabertin D, McCool JP. Distribution and Fate of Polyethylene Microplastics Released by a Portable Toilet Manufacturer into a Freshwater Wetland and Lake. WATER 2024; 16:11. [PMID: 39219624 PMCID: PMC11361013 DOI: 10.3390/w16010011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
A portable toilet manufacturer in northwest Indiana (USA) released polyethylene microplastic (MP) pollution into a protected wetland for at least three years. To assess the loads, movement, and fate of the MPs in the wetland from this point source, water and sediment samples were collected in the fall and spring of 2021-2023. Additional samples, including sediment cores and atmospheric particulates, were collected during the summer of 2023 from select areas of the wetland. The MPs were isolated from the field samples using density separation, filtration, and chemical oxidation. Infrared and Raman spectroscopy analyses identified the MPs as polyethylene, which were quantified visually using a stereomicroscope. The numbers of MPs in 100 mL of the marsh water closest to the source ranged from several hundred to over 400,000, while the open water samples contained few microplastics. Marsh surface sediments were highly contaminated with MPs, up to 18,800 per 30.0 g dry mass (dm), compared to core samples in the lower depths (>15 cm) that contained only smaller MPs (<200 µm), numbering 0-480 per 30.0 g (dm). The wide variations in loads of MP contaminants indicate the influence of numerous factors, such as proximity to the point source pollution, weather conditions, natural matter, and pollution sinks, namely sediment deposition. As proof of concept, we demonstrated a novel remediation method using these real-world samples to effectively agglomerate and remove MPs from contaminated waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie R. Peller
- Department of Chemistry, Valparaiso University, 1710 Chapel Drive, Valparaiso, IN 46383, USA
| | - Gavin Tabor
- Department of Chemistry, Valparaiso University, 1710 Chapel Drive, Valparaiso, IN 46383, USA
| | - Christina Davis
- Department of Chemistry, Valparaiso University, 1710 Chapel Drive, Valparaiso, IN 46383, USA
| | - Chris Iceman
- Department of Chemistry, Valparaiso University, 1710 Chapel Drive, Valparaiso, IN 46383, USA
| | - Ozioma Nwachukwu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Kyle Doudrick
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Antigone Wilson
- Department of Chemistry, Valparaiso University, 1710 Chapel Drive, Valparaiso, IN 46383, USA
| | - Alyssa Suprenant
- Department of Chemistry, Valparaiso University, 1710 Chapel Drive, Valparaiso, IN 46383, USA
| | - David Dabertin
- Dabertin Law Offices, 5246 Hohman Avenue Suite 302, Hammond, IN 46320, USA
| | - Jon-Paul McCool
- Department of Geography and Meteorology, Valparaiso University, 1809 Chapel Drive, Valparaiso, IN 46383, USA
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Rozman U, Klun B, Kuljanin A, Skalar T, Kalčíková G. Insights into the shape-dependent effects of polyethylene microplastics on interactions with organisms, environmental aging, and adsorption properties. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22147. [PMID: 38092860 PMCID: PMC10719240 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49175-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The shape-dependent effects of microplastics have been studied in the context of ingestion but have not been considered in other environmental processes. Therefore, we investigated how the shape of polyethylene microplastics (spheres, fragments, and films) affects interactions with plants, aging, and their adsorption properties. The shape had no effect on the growth rate and chlorophyll content of duckweed Lemna minor, but the fragments strongly adhered to the plant biomass and reduced the root length. The adsorption process of the model organic compound (methylene blue dye) was described by the same kinetic model for all shapes-the experimental data best fit the pseudo-second order model. However, twice as much methylene blue was adsorbed on films as on fragments and spheres. During environmental aging, most biofilm developed on films. The biofilm on spheres contained significantly less photosynthetic microorganisms, but twice as much extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) as on fragments and films. This suggests that the attachment of microorganisms to spherical particles is limited and therefore more intensive production of EPS is required for stable biofilm formation. From the results of this study, it is evident that the shape of microplastics significantly affects not only ecotoxicity but also other environmentally relevant processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ula Rozman
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 113 Večna pot, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Barbara Klun
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 113 Večna pot, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aleksandra Kuljanin
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 113 Večna pot, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tina Skalar
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 113 Večna pot, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gabriela Kalčíková
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 113 Večna pot, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Rozman U, Blažič A, Kalčíková G. Phytoremediation: A promising approach to remove microplastics from the aquatic environment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 338:122690. [PMID: 37797928 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Due to the increasing amount of microplastics (MPs) in the environment, various technologies for their removal have been investigated. One of the possible technologies are phytoremediation methods, but insufficient understanding of the interactions between MPs and aquatic macrophytes limits their further development. In this context, the aim of this study was to investigate the interactions between polyethylene MPs and the floating aquatic macrophyte Lemna minor in terms of the extent and time frame of MPs adhesion to the plant biomass, the stability of the interactions under water movement and understanding the nature of the adsorption process through the adsorption isotherm models. The results showed that the maximum number of adhered MPs was reached after 24 h. With increased amount of plant biomass the number of adhered MPs increased as well. Slow movement of water had no statistically significant effect on the adhesion of MPs. Among several adsorption models, the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model was the best fit to the experimental data, which assumes weak binding of MPs to plant biomass. Finally, 79% of MPs was removed during 15 cycles of phytoremediation (i.e., the biomass was removed and replaced with new biomass 15 times) and it was calculated that 53 cycles would be needed to remove all MPs from the water phase under test conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ula Rozman
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, 113 Večna pot, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anej Blažič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, 113 Večna pot, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gabriela Kalčíková
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, 113 Večna pot, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Polechońska L, Rozman U, Sokołowska K, Kalčíková G. The bioadhesion and effects of microplastics and natural particles on growth, cell viability, physiology, and elemental content of an aquatic macrophyte Elodea canadensis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 902:166023. [PMID: 37541516 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics in the aquatic environment can interact with aquatic plants, but the consequences of these interactions are poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of microplastics commonly found in the environment, namely polyethylene (PE) fragments, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibres, tire wear (TW) particles under a relevant environmental concentration (5000 particles/L) on the growth, cell viability, physiology, and elemental content of the aquatic macrophyte Elodea canadensis. The effects of microplastics were compared to those of natural wood particles. The results showed that all types of microplastics adhered to plant tissues, but the effect on leaves (leaf damage area) was greatest at PE > PAN > TW, while the effect of natural particles was comparable to that of the control. None of the microplastics studied affected plant growth, lipid, carbohydrate, or protein content. Electron transport system activity was significantly higher in plants exposed to PAN fibres and PE fragments, but also when exposed to natural particles, while chlorophyll a content was negatively affected only by PE fragments and TW particles. Elemental analysis of plant tissue showed that in some cases PAN fibres and TW particles caused increased metal content. The results of this study indicated that aquatic macrophytes may respond differently to exposure to microplastics than to natural particles, likely through the combined effects of mechanical damage and chemical stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludmiła Polechońska
- Department of Ecology, Biogeochemistry and Environmental Protection, University of Wrocław, ul. Kanonia 6/8, 50-328 Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Ula Rozman
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 113 Večna pot, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katarzyna Sokołowska
- Department of Plant Developmental Biology, University of Wrocław, ul. Kanonia 6/8, Wrocław 50-328, Poland
| | - Gabriela Kalčíková
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 113 Večna pot, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Oláh V, Appenroth KJ, Sree KS. Duckweed: Research Meets Applications. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3307. [PMID: 37765471 PMCID: PMC10535908 DOI: 10.3390/plants12183307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
The Special Issue "Duckweed: Research Meets Applications" of the journal Plants (ISSN 2223-7747) presents a comprehensive update of the current progress in the field [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Oláh
- Department of Botany, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Klaus-Juergen Appenroth
- Matthias Schleiden Institute–Plant Physiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - K. Sowjanya Sree
- Department of Environmental Science, Central University of Kerala, Periye 671320, India
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Jia L, Liu L, Zhang Y, Fu W, Liu X, Wang Q, Tanveer M, Huang L. Microplastic stress in plants: effects on plant growth and their remediations. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1226484. [PMID: 37636098 PMCID: PMC10452891 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1226484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution is becoming a global problem due to the resilience, long-term persistence, and robustness of MPs in different ecosystems. In terrestrial ecosystems, plants are exposed to MP stress, thereby affecting overall plant growth and development. This review article has critically analyzed the effects of MP stress in plants. We found that MP stress-induced reduction in plant physical growth is accompanied by two complementary effects: (i) blockage of pores in seed coat or roots to alter water and nutrient uptake, and (ii) induction of drought due to increased soil cracking effects of MPs. Nonetheless, the reduction in physiological growth under MP stress is accompanied by four complementary effects: (i) excessive production of ROS, (ii) alteration in leaf and root ionome, (iii) impaired hormonal regulation, and (iv) decline in chlorophyll and photosynthesis. Considering that, we suggested that targeting the redox regulatory mechanisms could be beneficial in improving tolerance to MPs in plants; however, antioxidant activities are highly dependent on plant species, plant tissue, MP type, and MP dose. MP stress also indirectly reduces plant growth by altering soil productivity. However, MP-induced negative effects vary due to the presence of different surface functional groups and particle sizes. In the end, we suggested the utilization of agronomic approaches, including the application of growth regulators, biochar, and replacing plastic mulch with crop residues, crop diversification, and biological degradation, to ameliorate the effects of MP stress in plants. The efficiency of these methods is also MP-type-specific and dose-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Jia
- College of Food and Drug, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang, Henan, China
| | - Lining Liu
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology, College of Food Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Yujing Zhang
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology, College of Food Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Wenxuan Fu
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology, College of Food Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Xing Liu
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology, College of Food Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Qianqian Wang
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology, College of Food Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Mohsin Tanveer
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Liping Huang
- International Research Center for Environmental Membrane Biology, College of Food Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
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11
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Kalčíková G. Beyond ingestion: Adhesion of microplastics to aquatic organisms. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 258:106480. [PMID: 36948066 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The interactions of microplastics with aquatic organisms have been studied primarily using animal species, with dietary ingestion being the most important uptake route. However, recent research indicated that microplastics also interact with biota via bioadhesion. This process has been studied in aquatic macrophytes under laboratory conditions where microplastics adhered to their biomass, but monitoring studies also confirmed that microplastic bioadhesion occurs in other species and in the natural environment. Similarly, microplastics adhere to microorganisms, and in the aquatic environment they can be retained by ubiquitous biofilms. This can occur on a natural substrate such as sediment or rocks, but biofilms are also responsible for enhanced bioadhesion of microplastics to other biotic surfaces such as plant surfaces. Adhesion to these large biotic surfaces could influence the abundance and bioavailability of microplastics in the environment. Only few studies have been conducted on the bioadhesion of microplastics to animals, but their results confirmed that bioadhesion may be even greater than particle ingestion by some animals, such as corals or bivalves. However, the ecotoxicological effects are not yet fully understood and the possible transport of microplastics, e.g. adhered to fish or aquatic insects, also needs to be considered. In summary, bioadhesion seems to be an important process for the interactions of microplastics and biota. Neglecting bioadhesion in an environmental context may limit our understanding of the behavior, fate, and effects of microplastics in the aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Kalčíková
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 113 Večna pot, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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12
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Varga M, Žuna Pfeiffer T, Begović L, Mlinarić S, Horvatić J, Miloloža T, Štolfa Čamagajevac I. Physiological Response of Nutrient-Stressed Lemna gibba to Pulse Colloidal Silver Treatment. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:1367. [PMID: 36987055 PMCID: PMC10055381 DOI: 10.3390/plants12061367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater is a source of many environmental pollutants and potentially high concentrations of essential plant nutrients. Site-specific nutrient levels may influence the response of exposed plants to a chemical stressor. In the present study, we focused on the responses of model aquatic macrophyte swollen duckweed (Lemna gibba L.) to a short pulse exposure and a commercially available colloidal silver product as a potential environmental chemical stressor, combined with two levels of total nitrogen and phosphorus nutrition. Treatment with the commercially available colloidal silver product caused oxidative stress in L. gibba plants under both high and low nutrient levels. Plants grown and treated under high nutrient levels showed lower levels of lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide accumulation, as well as higher levels of photosynthetic pigment content in comparison to treated plants under low nutrient levels. Higher free radical scavenging activity for plants treated with silver in combination with high nutrient levels resulted in better overall protection from silver-induced oxidative stress. The results showed that external nutrient levels significantly affected the L. gibba plant's response to the colloidal silver presence in the environment and that nutrient levels should be considered in the assessment of potential environmental impact for contaminants.
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