Physiological responses of garden cress (L. sativum) to different types of microplastics

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2020-07, Vol.727, p.138609-138609, Article 138609
• Main Authors: Pignattelli, Sara, Broccoli, Andrea, Renzi, Monia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Microplastics; Plant exposure; Plastic packaging; Polyethylene; Polypropylene; Polyvinylchloride
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138609

In this study, for the first time, acute and chronic toxicity caused by four different kinds of microplastics: polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), and a commercial mixture (PE + PVC) on Lepidium sativum were evaluated. Parameters considered were: i) biometric parameters (e.g. percentage inhibition of seed germination, plant height, leaf number and fresh biomass productions); and ii) oxidative stress (e.g. levels of hydrogen peroxide, glutathione, and ascorbic acid). On plants exposed to chronic stress chlorophylls, carotenoids, aminolaevulinic acid, and proline productions were, also, evaluated. PVC resulted the most toxic than other plastic materials tested. This study represents the first paper highlighting microplastics are able to produce oxidative burst in tested plants and could represent an important starting point for future researches on biochemical effects of microplastic in terrestrial environments such as agroecosystems. [Display omitted] •L. sativum was exposed to microplastics (PP, PE, PVC, PE + PVC).•Acute and chronic effects due to different microplastics exposure were recorded.•Biometric and biomarkers of oxidative stress parameters were measured.•The occurrence of oxidative burst was highlighted in exposed plants.•PVC resulted the most toxic than other microplastics tested.