TY - JOUR

T1 - Exposure of Bromus hordeaceus to fossil- and plant-based micro- and nanoplastics

T2 - Impacts and plant-plastic interactions vary depending on polymer type and growth phase

AU - Alonso-Crespo, Inés María

AU - Mateos-Cárdenas, Alicia

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The Authors

PY - 2024/11/1

Y1 - 2024/11/1

N2 - Plastic pollution, especially pollution by micro- and nanoplastics, is now considered a potential threat to all ecosystems, including terrestrial ecosystems such as grassland habitats. This study investigated the impacts of micro- and nano-sized plastics on Bromus hordeaceus, a common grass species in European grasslands. The micro and nanoparticles were fossil-based polyethylene (PE) or plant-based polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), and these two plastics were used at two different concentrations. Here, we report data on plant development and plastic-plant interactions from two different experiments, (1) an in vitro experiment to test seed germination and establishment and (2) a soil experiment to test plant development and plastic-plant interactions specifically investigated as a form of perforation. Results from the in vitro experiment indicate that while seed germination success was unaffected by plastic type, the presence of all plastic particle types acted as a stimulant, increasing the total length of radicles and sprouts of germinated seeds. Conversely, results from the soil experiment showed that the growth of Bromus hordeaceus was negatively affected by the presence of microPBAT in the soil during the pot assay. Microscopic analysis confirmed that seed and plant structures interacted with all plastic particles via adsorption or perforation. This study demonstrates for the first time the ability of roots to penetrate plastics, especially microPBAT particles. Overall, our study concludes that both fossil-based and plant-based micro- and nano-plastics can influence plant growth, with effects varying based on plastic type, concentration, and plant growth phase. Further research is crucial to fully understand the intricate interactions between microplastics, soil properties, and plant development.

AB - Plastic pollution, especially pollution by micro- and nanoplastics, is now considered a potential threat to all ecosystems, including terrestrial ecosystems such as grassland habitats. This study investigated the impacts of micro- and nano-sized plastics on Bromus hordeaceus, a common grass species in European grasslands. The micro and nanoparticles were fossil-based polyethylene (PE) or plant-based polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), and these two plastics were used at two different concentrations. Here, we report data on plant development and plastic-plant interactions from two different experiments, (1) an in vitro experiment to test seed germination and establishment and (2) a soil experiment to test plant development and plastic-plant interactions specifically investigated as a form of perforation. Results from the in vitro experiment indicate that while seed germination success was unaffected by plastic type, the presence of all plastic particle types acted as a stimulant, increasing the total length of radicles and sprouts of germinated seeds. Conversely, results from the soil experiment showed that the growth of Bromus hordeaceus was negatively affected by the presence of microPBAT in the soil during the pot assay. Microscopic analysis confirmed that seed and plant structures interacted with all plastic particles via adsorption or perforation. This study demonstrates for the first time the ability of roots to penetrate plastics, especially microPBAT particles. Overall, our study concludes that both fossil-based and plant-based micro- and nano-plastics can influence plant growth, with effects varying based on plastic type, concentration, and plant growth phase. Further research is crucial to fully understand the intricate interactions between microplastics, soil properties, and plant development.

KW - Grassland

KW - Plant development

KW - Plastic perforation

KW - Pollution

KW - Polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT)

KW - Polyethylene (PE)

KW - Seed germination

KW - Biology

KW - Ecosystems Research

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85209537310&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143715

DO - 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143715

M3 - Journal articles

C2 - 39521290

AN - SCOPUS:85209537310

VL - 368

JO - Chemosphere

JF - Chemosphere

SN - 0045-6535

M1 - 143715

ER -