Micro (nano) plastics uptake, toxicity and detoxification in plants: Challenges and prospects

Zahra Dehghanian; Behnam Asgari Lajayer; Zahra Biglari Quchan Atigh; Shahnoush Nayeri; Mohammad Ahmadabadi; Leila Taghipour; Venkatramanan Senapathi; Tess Astatkie; G W Price

doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115676

Micro (nano) plastics uptake, toxicity and detoxification in plants: Challenges and prospects

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2023 Dec:268:115676. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115676. Epub 2023 Nov 17.

Authors

Zahra Dehghanian¹, Behnam Asgari Lajayer², Zahra Biglari Quchan Atigh³, Shahnoush Nayeri⁴, Mohammad Ahmadabadi⁵, Leila Taghipour⁶, Venkatramanan Senapathi⁷, Tess Astatkie⁸, G W Price⁹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran. Electronic address: zdehganian@yahoo.com.
² Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS B2N 5E3, Canada. Electronic address: basgari@dal.ca.
³ Department of Civil Engineering and Smart Cities, College of Engineering, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong 515063, China. Electronic address: 23zahra@stu.edu.cn.
⁴ SP-Lab., ASEPE Company, Industrial Park of Advanced Technologies, Tabriz, Iran. Electronic address: shahnoush.nayeri@hotmail.com.
⁵ Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran. Electronic address: m.ahmadabadi@azaruniv.ac.
⁶ Department of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture, Jahrom University, PO Box: 74135-111, Jahrom, Iran. Electronic address: L_taghipoor@yahoo.com.
⁷ Department of Geology, Alagappa University Karaikudi, 630003 Tamilnadu, India. Electronic address: venkatramanansenapathi@gmail.com.
⁸ Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS B2N 5E3, Canada. Electronic address: astatkie@dal.ca.
⁹ Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS B2N 5E3, Canada. Electronic address: gprice@dal.ca.

PMID: 37979355
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115676

Abstract

Plastic pollution has emerged as a global challenge affecting ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation. Terrestrial environments exhibit significantly higher plastic concentrations compared to aquatic systems. Micro/nano plastics (MNPs) have the potential to disrupt soil biology, alter soil properties, and influence soil-borne pathogens and roundworms. However, limited research has explored the presence and impact of MNPs on aquaculture systems. MNPs have been found to inhibit plant and seedling growth and affect gene expression, leading to cytogenotoxicity through increased oxygen radical production. The article discusses the potential phytotoxicity process caused by large-scale microplastics, particularly those unable to penetrate cell pores. It also examines the available data, albeit limited, to assess the potential risks to human health through plant uptake.

Keywords: Fate; Health risk; Micro/nano plastics; Plastics; Remediation; Uptake.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Biological Transport
Ecosystem*
Humans
Plastics* / toxicity
Seedlings
Soil

Substances

Plastics
Soil