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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: 2842; Downloads: 0
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