1. Effects of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics and acid rain on physiology and growth of Lepidium sativumSara Pignattelli, Andrea Broccoli, Manuela Piccardo, Antonio Terlizzi, Monia Renzi, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: This study evaluated the chronic toxicity (30 days) of different sizes of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
microplastics (60e3000 mm) provided alone or in combination with acid rain, on garden cress (Lepidium
sativum). Both biometrical and physiological traits have been evaluated: i) percentage inhibition of seed
germination, plant height, leaf number and fresh biomass production; ii) oxidative stress responses
(hydrogen peroxide; ascorbic acid and glutathione production); iii) impairment in photosynthetic machinery
in term of pigments production; iv) aminolevulinic acid and proline production. Results highlighted
that different sizes of PET, alone or in combination with acid rain, are able to negatively affect
both biometrical and physiological plant traits. In particular, the lower size of microplastics is able to
negatively affect growth and development, as well as to trigger the oxidative burst. Regarding the pigments
production, PET coupled with acid rain, induced a higher production of Chl-b, and an inhibition of
aminolevulinic acid. Keywords: polyethylene terephthalate, acid rain, lepidium sativum, oxidative burst, germinability, chlorophylls Published in RUNG: 02.04.2021; Views: 2809; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |
2. Short-term physiological and biometrical responses of Lepidium sativum seedlings exposed to PET-made microplastics and acid rainSara Pignattelli, Andrea Broccoli, Manuela Piccardo, Serena Felline, Antonio Terlizzi, Monia Renzi, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Plastics enter in terrestrial natural system primarily by agricultural purposes, while acid rain is the result of
anthropogenic activities. The synergistic effects of microplastics and acid rain on plant growth are not known. In
this study, different sizes of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and acid rain are tested on Lepidium sativum, in two
separate experimental sets. In the first one we treated plants only with PET, in the second one we used PET and
acid rain together. In both experimentations we analyzed: i) plant biometrical parameters (shoot height, leaf
number, percentage inhibition of seed germination, fresh biomass), and ii) oxidative stress responses (hydrogen
peroxide; ascorbic acid and glutathione). Results carried out from our experiments highlighted that different
sizes of polyethylene terephthalate are able to affect plant growth and physiological responses, with or without
acid rain supplied during acute toxicity (6 days).
Short description: This study showed that different sizes of PET microplastics affect physiological and biometrical
responses of Lepidum sativum seedlings, with or without acid rain; roots and leaves responded differently Keywords: Polyethylene terephthalate
Acid rain
Oxidative stress
Biometrical response
Lepidium sativum Published in RUNG: 16.12.2020; Views: 3259; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |
3. Physiological responses of garden cress (L. sativum) to different types of microplasticsSara Pignattelli, Andrea Broccoli, Monia Renzi, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: 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. Keywords: Polypropylene
Polyethylene
Polyvinylchloride
Plastic packaging
Microplastics
Plant exposure Published in RUNG: 24.04.2020; Views: 3668; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |