Summary
This narrative review synthesises up-to-date knowledge on the uptake, translocation, and phytotoxic effects of micro- and nanoplastics in terrestrial plants. The authors examine mechanisms by which soil-dwelling plants absorb plastic particles through roots and translocate them to above-ground tissues, and characterise the toxic responses observed across plant species. The work suggests microplastics represent an emerging soil contaminant of concern for agricultural productivity, though much mechanistic understanding remains incomplete.
UK applicability
UK agricultural and horticultural systems may face increasing microplastic contamination through sewage sludge application, compost amendments, and atmospheric deposition. Understanding plastic translocation and phytotoxicity is relevant to UK soil quality standards and crop safety assessment frameworks.
Key measures
Uptake rates, translocation pathways, accumulation sites in plant tissues, phytotoxic endpoints (growth inhibition, oxidative stress, photosynthetic impairment)
Outcomes reported
The study synthesised current knowledge on how micro- and nanoplastics are taken up by plant roots, translocated through plant tissues, and what phytotoxic effects result. It reviewed mechanisms of particle accumulation and translocation pathways in terrestrial plants as of 2022.
Topic tags
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