Ludmiła Polechońska (Author), Ula Rozman (Author), Katarzyna Sokołowska (Author), Gabriela Kalčíková (Author)

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.

Keywords

mikroplastika;adhezija;bioadhezija;makrofiti;strupenost;microplastics;adhesion;bioadhesion;macrophytes;toxicity;

Data

Language: English
Year of publishing:
Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization: UL FKKT - Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
UDC: 504.5:678
COBISS: 162028803 Link will open in a new window
ISSN: 0048-9697
Views: 123
Downloads: 34
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Other data

Secondary language: Slovenian
Secondary keywords: mikroplastika;adhezija;bioadhezija;makrofiti;strupenost;
Type (COBISS): Article
Pages: str. 1-10
Issue: ǂVol. ǂ902, [article no.] 166023
Chronology: 1 Dec. 2023
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166023
ID: 19929340