Extractability and phytotoxicity of heavy metals and essential elements from plastics in soil solutions and root exudates

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2023-12, Vol.905, p.166100-166100, Article 166100
• Main Authors: Jędruchniewicz, Katarzyna, Bogusz, Aleksandra, Chańko, Marcin, Bank, Michael S., Alessi, Daniel S., Ok, Yong Sik, Oleszczuk, Patryk
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: electrical conductivity; environment; germination; Lepidium sativum; Metals; organic carbon; phytotoxicity; Plastic pollution; polyethylene; polyethylene terephthalates; polypropylenes; soil; Soil solution; Soils; Toxicity; Trace elements; wastes
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166100

Plastic waste is increasing and is a serious environmental problem. Among the threats associated with plastics is the release of contaminants into the environment. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of metals release from plastics (low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polypropylene (PP)) as affected by different soil solution types, artificial root exudates, and distilled water. The extent of metal release varied depending on the type of solution and plastic used. Metals were leached most effectively from plastics in soil solutions, followed by root exudates, and least effectively by distilled water. LDPE released the highest concentrations of Cu and Na into solution, PP released the greatest amount of Fe, and PET released the most Cr. The efficiencies of Mg and Zn release from the plastics (PP and PET) varied by solution type. Among the plastics studied, LDPE exhibited the strongest ability to adsorb metals, such as Fe, Cr, Mg, and Zn from soil solutions. The amount of metal released from the plastics was also dependent on pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations, and the electrical conductivity (EC) of the solutions. Moreover, plastic extracts were found to have negative effects on germination and growth in Lepidium sativum. [Display omitted] •Examined native plastics contain and release metals in environmental conditions.•Among the plastic used only LDPE showed adsorptive properties towards metals.•Increased leaching of metals noted for solution of low pH, high DOC and EC.•Higher toxicity for L. sativum exhibited extracts of LDPE than PET or PP.