Nanoplastic–plant interaction and implications for soil health

Abstract

Nanoplastics (NPs) are accumulating in the soil environment at a rapid rate, which may cause serious consequences for ecosystems and human health. However, environmental behaviour and toxicity of NPs in the soil-plant system remain poorly understood. This review summarizes current studies on NP-plant interactions to unravel uptake mechanisms and phytotoxicity of NPs. NPs could be taken up by plant roots and transported upwards through the xylem to all organs of the plant, even to the edible parts such as the grain, thereby threatening human health.The interaction of NPs with plants affects plant transport of water and nutrients.Besides, it induces significant oxidative stress leading to inhibition of physiological and biochemical activities such as photosynthesis, and thus adversely affects plant growth and development. In addition, the co-transport of NPs with other soil pollutants may induce the combined toxic effects. This study also discussed the potential mechanism of NP-plant interactions based on previous experience with engineered nanomaterials. Finally, a comprehensive assessment of the key challenges in each area was presented, and future perspectives are offered.

Emerging contaminants: A One Health perspective

“…The effects of ECs on plants reverberate through the entire ecosystem, influencing the structure and dynamics of plant communities. 333 , 334 , 335 While the contaminants encompass a broad range, their overarching impact on plant health remains a common theme. ECs in soils can impede plant growth and development, posing challenges to individual species and the overall biodiversity of plant communities.…”

Soil health and ecosystem services

“…Biochar derived from biological waste can be used to reduce the bioavailability of soil heavy metals (Ayaz et al, 2022). The use of plastic in agriculture and accumulation of microplastics/nanoplastics may affect soil microbial community and plant health (Palansooriya et al, 2022; Wang et al, 2023; Zhou et al, 2023). Biochar was also found to be effective in mitigating soil pollution caused by microplastics (Dissanayake et al, 2022).…”

An Imported Environmental Crisis: Plastic Mismanagement in Africa

“…But, Africa has become a dumping ground for the Northern Hemisphere's (i.e., Europe and the USA) plastic waste in the form of so-called "recycled" clothing and plastic feedstock. Global plastic production, estimated at 390.7 million tonnes in 2021 [1,2], has increased rapidly in recent decades [3] and will reach 1800 million tonnes by 2050 [4,5]. Landfill disposal is also increasing, leading to the widespread dispersal of plastic parts into marine environments [6].…”