Coupled effects of microplastics and heavy metals on plants: Uptake, bioaccumulation, and environmental health perspectives

Article Environmental Sciences

Impact of microplastics on bioaccumulation of heavy metals in rape (Brassica napus L.)

Hao Jia et al.

Summary: The study revealed that microplastics facilitate the uptake of heavy metals by vegetables, leading to severe damage and deterioration in quality.

CHEMOSPHERE (2022)

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Review Environmental Sciences

Extraction and detection methods of microplastics in food and marine systems: A critical review

Adithya Sridhar et al.

Summary: Microplastics as contaminants in the ecosystem pose a threat to marine life and human health through food contamination. This review focuses on separation and identification technologies for extraction and detection of microplastics in food and marine ecosystems, emphasizing the use of emerging techniques for efficient and harmless detection.

CHEMOSPHERE (2022)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

Effects of polyester microfibers (PMFs) and cadmium on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and the rhizospheric microbial communities: A study involving physio-biochemical properties and metabolomic profiles

Aurang Zeb et al.

Summary: The study found that both single microfibers and cadmium and their combination treatments had adverse effects on lettuce growth and photosynthesis, with the co-PMFs/Cd treatment significantly increasing antioxidant enzyme activity. The metabolite content in the leaves was significantly affected, with changes in nitrogen and carbohydrate metabolic pathways. The structure of rhizospheric bacterial communities changed, with significant alterations in key beneficial/functional bacteria.

JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (2022)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

Microplastics influence on Hg methylation in diverse paddy soils

Xu Yang et al.

Summary: Microplastics were found to decrease bioavailable methylmercury concentrations in soils possibly through impacting DOM composition, altering soil properties, and influencing the abundance of specific microbial populations. The study highlights the importance of investigating the effects of microplastics on specific contaminants to develop effective environmental remediation strategies in polluted paddy soils.

JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (2022)

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Article Plant Sciences

Combined Effect of Microplastics and Cd Alters the Enzymatic Activity of Soil and the Productivity of Strawberry Plants

Andres Pinto-Poblete et al.

Summary: This study evaluated the combined effect of microplastics and cadmium on a soil-plant system, finding that microplastics and/or cadmium can affect plant growth and yield, as well as the accumulation of cadmium in the roots and soil. The increased bioavailability of cadmium due to microplastics presence may explain the observed negative effects on soil properties and strawberry plant performance.

PLANTS-BASEL (2022)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Micro(nano)plastics pollution and human health: How plastics can induce carcinogenesis to humans?

Rakesh Kumar et al.

Summary: This paper highlights the widespread distribution of microplastics and nanoplastics in different ecosystems, and their potential impact on ecosystems and human health. Humans are exposed to these plastic particles through various pathways, such as tap water, food, and air, which can pose health risks to respiratory, immune, reproductive, and digestive systems.

CHEMOSPHERE (2022)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Microplastics Increase Soil pH and Decrease Microbial Activities as a Function of Microplastic Shape, Polymer Type, and Exposure Time

Tingting Zhao et al.

Summary: Research on microplastic pollution in soils has shown that effects on soil pH, respiration, and enzymatic activities are influenced by microplastic shape and polymer type, with these effects changing over incubation time. Enzymatic activities fluctuate during incubation, except for N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, which shows a declining trend.

FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (2021)

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Review Engineering, Environmental

Microplastics and associated contaminants in the aquatic environment: A review on their ecotoxicological effects, trophic transfer, and potential impacts to human health

Wei Huang et al.

Summary: Microplastic pollution and its ecological impacts in aquatic environments have become a global concern in the past decade. Microplastics can affect aquatic organisms through food chain transfer and pose potential risks to human health.

JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (2021)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

Toxicological interactions of microplastics/nanoplastics and environmental contaminants: Current knowledge and future perspectives

Jacky Bhagat et al.

Summary: This review provides the current state of knowledge on the toxicological interaction of microplastics/nanoplastics with other environmental contaminants, focusing on the types of interactions and the depth of mechanistic understanding. It points out the lack of research in certain areas related to heavy metals and chemicals. Recommendations are made for considering environmental factors in future studies.

JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (2021)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

Effects of microplastic on arsenic accumulation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in a freshwater environment

Youming Dong et al.

Summary: Microplastic pollution was found to disrupt the phospholipid structure in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells, reducing the accumulation and efflux of arsenic, as well as inhibiting the detoxification process. This study demonstrated a significant impact of microplastics on arsenic accumulation in algae, potentially impeding its role in biogeochemical cycling in the earth's pedo- and hydrosphere.

JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (2021)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

Exposure of nanoplastics to freeze-thaw leads to aggregation and reduced transport in model groundwater environments

Olubukola S. Alimi et al.

Summary: Nanoplastics exposed to freeze-thaw cycles in cold climates tend to aggregate and have reduced mobility, especially at low ionic strengths, despite the presence of natural organic matter. While NOM can enhance nanoplastic mobility, it cannot prevent aggregation under freeze-thaw conditions.

WATER RESEARCH (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Synergistic and concentration-dependent toxicity of multiple heavy metals compared with single heavy metals in Conocarpus lancifolius

Amina Redha et al.

Summary: Conocarpus lancifolius was investigated as a potential phytoremediator for heavy metal-contaminated soils, showing to be a hyperaccumulator of heavy metals. Mixed heavy metals had a greater impact on plant growth and physiological characteristics compared to single heavy metals, indicating the need for further research on the phyto-physiological effects of multiple heavy metals.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Nanoplastics aggravate the toxicity of arsenic to AGS cells by disrupting ABC transporter and cytoskeleton

Peichun Lin et al.

Summary: This study investigated the toxicity of nanoplastics (NPs) and arsenic (As) on human gastric adenocarcinoma cells and found that the coexistence of NPs and As can enhance the cytotoxicity and intracellular accumulation of As in cells, even at noncytotoxic concentrations of NPs. NPs were found to disrupt cell membrane fluidity, inhibit the activity of ABC transporter, and lead to As accumulation, suggesting a specific toxicological mechanism of NPs in the presence of As.

ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Soil pH has a stronger effect than arsenic content on shaping plastisphere bacterial communities in soil

Huan-Qin Li et al.

Summary: The study found that soil pH and arsenic content significantly affected plastisphere bacterial communities, indicating that environmental fluctuations have cascading effects on plastisphere bacterial communities and implications for biogeochemical cycling of arsenic in soil ecosystems.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Metal type and aggregate microenvironment govern the response sequence of speciation transformation of different heavy metals to microplastics in soil

Hong Yu et al.

Summary: The addition of microplastics promotes the transformation of heavy metals from bioavailable to organic-bound species, with significantly different responses of different heavy metals to microplastics in different aggregate-size fractions. Soil physicochemical factors and microplastics have different effects on heavy metals, resulting in heterogeneous responses.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2021)

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Review Engineering, Environmental

Microplastics in the soil-groundwater environment: Aging, migration, and co-transport of contaminants-A critical review

Zhefan Ren et al.

Summary: This review focuses on the contamination of microplastics in soil, discussing their aging and sorption effects on transport pathways in terrestrial ecosystems, as well as addressing the co-transport of microplastics and sorbed contaminants in the soil environment.

JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Effect of microplastics and arsenic on nutrients and microorganisms in rice rhizosphere soil

Youming Dong et al.

Summary: The co-pollution of arsenic and microplastics reduces the bioavailability of arsenic in soil, affects enzyme activities and nutrient contents, and inhibits crop growth. Arsenic increases soil organic matter content, while microplastics decrease organic matter content.

ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Impacts of polyethylene microplastics on bioavailability and toxicity of metals in soil

Ming Li et al.

Summary: The study found that polyethylene microplastics increased the bioavailability of metals in soil and had toxic effects on earthworms. Metal concentrations in earthworms increased with the amount of microplastics in the soil, leading to changes in biomarkers and gene expression levels, causing toxicity to earthworms.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2021)

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Article Soil Science

The microplastisphere: Biodegradable microplastics addition alters soil microbial community structure and function

Jie Zhou et al.

Summary: Research shows that adding polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) can enhance the growth and activity of soil microbial communities, leading to higher enzymatic activity in the microplastic environment. Compared to untreated soil, soil treated with PHAs exhibits increased microbial diversity and altered bacterial community structure.

SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY (2021)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

Effect of surfactants on the transport of polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics in porous media

Yanji Jiang et al.

Summary: The research investigates the transport behavior of microplastics in porous media in the presence of surfactants. The concentration of surfactants affects the transport abilities of microplastics, while factors such as ionic strength, pH, and flow rate also play a role in influencing the migration behavior of microplastics.

WATER RESEARCH (2021)

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Review Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Uptake and Accumulation of Nano/Microplastics in Plants: A Critical Review

Imran Azeem et al.

Summary: This review discusses the sources, uptake pathways, and effects of microplastics and nanoplastics in soil and plant systems, emphasizing the potential risks they pose in modern agriculture. The transportation of microplastics and nanoplastics in soil is mainly influenced by agricultural practices, climate changes, and soil organisms, with nanoplastics more prone to enter plant cell walls. Additionally, transpiration pull plays a key role in the uptake and translocation of plastic particles in plants, with microplastics having negligible negative effects on plant physiological and biochemical indicators.

NANOMATERIALS (2021)

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Article Food Science & Technology

Micro(nano)plastic contaminations from soils to plants: human food risks

Defu He et al.

Summary: Research has shown that micro(nano)plastics are widely present in agricultural soils, affecting plants negatively and potentially entering the human food chain through the soil-plant system.

CURRENT OPINION IN FOOD SCIENCE (2021)

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Article Engineering, Chemical

Bioaccumulation of Fluoride in Plants and Its Microbially Assisted Remediation: A Review of Biological Processes and Technological Performance

Rakesh Kumar et al.

Summary: This article discusses the biological processes of fluoride remediation, including plant and microbial remediation systems, as well as the potential application of microbial bioremediation in fluoride ion removal.

PROCESSES (2021)

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Review Environmental Sciences

A critical review on the interactions of microplastics with heavy metals: Mechanism and their combined effect on organisms and humans

Yanxiao Cao et al.

Summary: Limited knowledge is available on the interactions between heavy metals and microplastics (MPs), as well as potential biological impacts from their combinations. Factors influencing the adsorption of heavy metals on MPs, such as polymer properties and chemical properties of heavy metals, are important to consider. Potential combined toxic effects from MPs and heavy metals on organisms and human health are a key focus for further research.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences

You are what you eat: Microplastics in the feces of young men living in Beijing

Na Zhang et al.

Summary: Microplastics were found in the feces of the majority of participants in the study, with polypropylene being the most commonly detected type. There was a moderate correlation between water intake habits and the abundance of microplastics in feces.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2021)

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Review Plant Sciences

Brassinosteroid Signaling, Crosstalk and, Physiological Functions in Plants Under Heavy Metal Stress

Jaspreet Kour et al.

Summary: Brassinosteroids (BRs) are plant steroidal hormones that play key roles in plant development and stress response. They are synthesized through multiple pathways and signal transduction involving receptor kinases, ultimately regulating the expression of target genes. Research under heavy metal stress has revealed the involvement of BRs in signal transduction and transcriptional networks.

FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE (2021)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

Evidence of microplastics in wetlands: Extraction and quantification in Freshwater and coastal ecosystems

Rakesh Kumar et al.

Summary: Microplastics are emerging non-degradable pollutants that impact humans and wildlife, especially aquatic species. Common shapes of microplastics observed in wetland ecosystems include fibers, fragments, filaments, foams, and microbeads. Research has identified high abundance of microplastics in wetlands and discussed advancements in extraction, characterization, and quantification techniques.

JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING (2021)

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Review Environmental Sciences

Influence of Microplastics on the Mobility, Bioavailability, and Toxicity of Heavy Metals: A Review

Guangxia Liu et al.

Summary: This review discusses the effects of microplastics (MPs) on the adsorption/desorption, speciation and bioavailability, and toxicity of various heavy metals, while systematically identifying environmental factors that could affect their interaction processes. It aims to establish a meaningful perspective for understanding the indirect ecological risks of MPs as vectors for contaminants and provides a reference for developing better regulatory strategies to mitigate the negative effects of the co-existence of MPs and heavy metals.

BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Effects of polystyrene microplastic on uptake and toxicity of copper and cadmium in hydroponic wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.)

Xueying Zong et al.

Summary: PS microplastics can adsorb heavy metals copper and cadmium, thereby reducing their toxic effects on wheat seedlings to some extent. Compared with single heavy metals treatments, the combination of PS microplastics and heavy metals helps increase chlorophyll content, enhance photosynthesis, and reduce ROS accumulation.

ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences

The influence of humic and fulvic acids on polytetrafluoroethylene-adsorbed arsenic: a mechanistic study

Youming Dong et al.

Summary: The large-scale use of polytetrafluoroethylene has led to increased amounts of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) microplastic particles entering the environment. The interaction between PTFE and arsenic (As(III)) in water in the presence of humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) needs to be urgently investigated due to pollution in the environment. PTFE forms pi complexes with HA units, which increases the number of oxygen-containing functional groups on its surface, ultimately enabling the adsorption of As(III).

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH (2021)

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Review Environmental Sciences

Microplastics interaction with terrestrial plants and their impacts on agriculture

Raza Ullah et al.

Summary: Microplastics (MPs) are widely present in natural ecosystems and are believed to have potential impacts on organisms. While extensive research has been conducted on MPs in marine environments, studies on their accumulation in soil ecosystems and their effects on terrestrial ecosystems are lacking, leaving a significant knowledge gap on their overall impact.

JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (2021)

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Article Food Science & Technology

Microplastics contamination in food and beverages: Direct exposure to humans

Mengke Jin et al.

Summary: The study reveals the presence of microplastics in various food sources, including aquatic products, salt, drinking water, beverages, and packaged food, presenting a nonnegligible exposure route for human ingestion.

JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE (2021)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

Uptake of microplastics by carrots in presence of As (III): Combined toxic effects

Youming Dong et al.

Summary: Current research shows that microplastics can enter carrot roots and leaves, with arsenic (As) increasing the amount of microplastics entering the carrot tissue and cells, leading to reduced quality of carrots. The presence of As exacerbates the effects of microplastics on carrots, posing greater health risks for consumers.

JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Polyethylene microplastics increase cadmium uptake in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) by altering the soil microenvironment

Fangli Wang et al.

Summary: Research has found that the addition of 10% MPs in soil has a negative impact on plant biomass, significantly decreases soil pH and cation exchange capacity (CEC), but significantly increases soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The presence of MPs increases the soil Cd bioavailability and plant Cd concentrations, potentially aggregating the combined toxicity.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2021)

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Review Environmental Sciences

Abundance, interaction, ingestion, ecological concerns, and mitigation policies of microplastic pollution in riverine ecosystem: A review

Rakesh Kumar et al.

Summary: Microplastics (<5 mm) pose an environmental hazard to natural ecosystems and humanity due to their widespread presence and negative effects on aquatic organisms. Sampling, extraction, and detection of microplastics from various sources are complex and challenging. Global change stress, ecological concerns, and the need for science-policy integration are highlighted in the context of microplastic pollution in riverine ecosystems.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2021)

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Review Environmental Sciences

The impact of microplastic-microbe interactions on animal health and biogeochemical cycles: A mini-review

Jiao Wang et al.

Summary: This review summarizes the interactions between microplastics and microorganisms, as well as their effects on human health and biochemical circulation. Topics covered include the impact of microplastics on microbial colonization, biofilm generation, and the transfer of environmental microbes.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2021)

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Review Environmental Sciences

Microplastics in soil: A review on methods, occurrence, sources, and potential risk

Ling Yang et al.

Summary: Microplastic is a global emerging contaminant in soil with widespread distribution and potential risks. Challenges in research include technical inconsistencies, limited data, and sparse studies in certain regions. Interaction between microplastics and other contaminants in soil may impact soil ecosystems and the food chain.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences

As(III) adsorption onto different-sized polystyrene microplastic particles and its mechanism

Youming Dong et al.

CHEMOSPHERE (2020)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Transport of polystyrene nanoplastics in natural soils: Effect of soil properties, ionic strength and cation type

Xiaoli Wu et al.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2020)

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Review Environmental Sciences

Environmental exposure to microplastics: An overview on possible human health effects

Joana Correia Prata et al.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2020)

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Review Food Science & Technology

Current Insights into Monitoring, Bioaccumulation, and Potential Health Effects of Microplastics Present in the Food Chain

Leonard W. D. van Raamsdonk et al.

FOODS (2020)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Microplastic particles increase arsenic toxicity to rice seedlings

Youming Dong et al.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (2020)

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Article Green & Sustainable Science & Technology

Effective uptake of submicrometre plastics by crop plants via a crack-entry mode

Lianzhen Li et al.

NATURE SUSTAINABILITY (2020)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Effects of Co-Contamination of Microplastics and Cd on Plant Growth and Cd Accumulation

Fayuan Wang et al.

TOXICS (2020)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Physiological response of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) leaves to polystyrene nanoplastics pollution

Zhenxia Li et al.

CHEMOSPHERE (2020)

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Review Environmental Sciences

Microplastics as pollutants in agricultural soils

Manish Kumar et al.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (2020)

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Article Environmental Sciences

PET-microplastics as a vector for heavy metals in a simulated plant rhizosphere zone

Sajjad Abbasi et al.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2020)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

Size-dependent cellular internalization and effects of polystyrene microplastics in microalgae P. helgolandica var. tsingtaoensis and S. quadricauda

Yingxin Chen et al.

JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (2020)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

Potential interferences of microplastics in the phytoremediation of Cd and Cu by the salt marsh plant Phragmites australis

Edite Manjate et al.

JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING (2020)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Effects of nanoplastics and microplastics on the growth of sediment-rooted macrophytes

Sander van Weert et al.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2019)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Size-dependent effects of polystyrene microplastics on cytotoxicity and efflux pump inhibition in human Caco-2 cells

Bing Wu et al.

CHEMOSPHERE (2019)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Physiological adaptation and spectral annotation of Arsenic and Cadmium heavy metal-resistant and susceptible strain Pseudomonas taiwanensis

Praveen Satapute et al.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (2019)

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Review Environmental Sciences

Particulate plastics as a vector for toxic trace-element uptake by aquatic and terrestrial organisms and human health risk

Lauren Bradney et al.

ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL (2019)

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Review Food Science & Technology

Microplastics: an emerging threat to food security and human health

Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre

JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY-MYSORE (2019)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Effect of Silene vulgaris and Heavy Metal Pollution on Soil Microbial Diversity in Long-Term Contaminated Soil

Magdalena Pacwa-Plociniczak et al.

WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION (2018)

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Article Agricultural Engineering

Exogenous putrescine changes redox regulations and essential oil constituents in field-grown Thymus vulgaris L. under well-watered and drought stress conditions

Hamid Mohammadi et al.

INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS (2018)

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Article Plant Sciences

Salinity Stress Is Beneficial to the Accumulation of Chlorogenic Acids in Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica Thunb.)

Kun Yan et al.

FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE (2016)

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Review Physiology

Arsenic toxicity: the effects on plant metabolism

Patrick M. Finnegan et al.

FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY (2012)

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Article Plant Sciences

Colloidal suspensions of clay or titanium dioxide nanoparticles can inhibit leaf growth and transpiration via physical effects on root water transport

Sare Asli et al.

PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT (2009)

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Review Environmental Sciences

Chemically assisted phytoextraction: A review of potential soil amendments for increasing plant uptake of heavy metals

E. Meers et al.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOREMEDIATION (2008)

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Article Agronomy

Characteristics of arsenic accumulation by Pteris and non-Pteris ferns

T Luongo et al.

PLANT AND SOIL (2005)

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Coupled effects of microplastics and heavy metals on plants: Uptake, bioaccumulation, and environmental health perspectives

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