Phytotoxicity assessment of dandelion exposed to microplastics using membership function value and integrated biological response index

Xingfan Li; Shakir Ullah; Ning Chen; Xin Tong; Nan Yang; Jia Liu; Xiaorui Guo; Zhonghua Tang

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121933

Phytotoxicity assessment of dandelion exposed to microplastics using membership function value and integrated biological response index

Environ Pollut. 2023 Sep 15:333:121933. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121933. Epub 2023 Jun 3.

Authors

Xingfan Li¹, Shakir Ullah¹, Ning Chen¹, Xin Tong¹, Nan Yang¹, Jia Liu², Xiaorui Guo¹, Zhonghua Tang¹

Affiliations

¹ College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Resource Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China; Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China.
² Key Laboratory of Soybean Molecular Design Breeding, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin, 150040, China.

PMID: 37277069
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121933

Abstract

Microplastic (MP) pollution is a critical environmental issue. Dandelions could be used as a biomonitor of environmental pollution. However, the ecotoxicology of MPs in dandelions remains unclear. Therefore, the toxic effects of polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and polypropylene (PP) at concentrations of 0, 10, 100, and 1000 mg L^-1 on the germination and early seedling growth of dandelion were investigated. PS and PP inhibited seed germination and decreased root length and biomass while promoting membrane lipid peroxidation, increasing O₂^•-, H₂O₂, SP, and proline contents, and enhancing the activities of SOD, POD, and CAT. Principal component analysis (PCA) and membership function value (MFV) analysis indicated that PS and PP could be more harmful than PE in dandelion, especially at 1000 mg L^-1. In addition, according to the integrated biological response (IBRv2) index analysis, O₂^•-, CAT, and proline were sensitive biomarkers of dandelion contamination by MPs. Here we provide evidence that dandelion has the potential to be a biomonitor to assess the phytotoxicity of MPs pollution, especially PS with high toxicity. Meanwhile, we believe that if dandelion is to be used as a biomonitor for MPs, attention should also be paid to the practical safety of dandelion.

Keywords: Exposure; Microplastics; Oxidative stress; Seed germination; Toxicity.

MeSH terms

Alkaloids* / analysis
Hydrogen Peroxide
Microplastics / toxicity
Plastics / toxicity
Polyethylene
Polypropylenes
Polystyrenes / toxicity
Taraxacum*
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis

Substances

Microplastics
Plastics
Hydrogen Peroxide
Polystyrenes
Polyethylene
Alkaloids
Polypropylenes
Water Pollutants, Chemical