Abstract
Nanoplastics (NPls) are ubiquitous in terrestrial environments, with numerous consequences for biodiversity and ecosystems. Research is urgently required to clarify the NPls environmental behaviour, fate and ecotoxicological effects to soil ecosystems. The aim of this research was to assess and comprehend the effects of polystyrene NPls to the terrestrial species Enchytraeus crypticus using survival, reproduction and avoidance behaviour as endpoints. A range of concentrations, 0.015 to 1500 mg NPls/kg LUFA 2.2 (Landwirtschaftliche Untersuchungs- und Forschungsanstalt Speyer, Germany) soil, was tested. Due to the effect of tween 20 and sodium azide (NaN3) on the NPls dispersion, the effects of these compounds were also assessed separately. After 21 d, 1200 and 1500 mg/kg NPls dispersion had significant effects on the organism survival and/or reproduction. However, these effects may be mainly associated with tween 20 and NaN3 present in the NPls dispersion and not with NPls themselves. After 48 h, there was a tendency of the organisms to avoid the NPls spiked soils, being this response significant at 0.015 mg/kg although a reduced avoidance behaviour was observed as NPls concentration increased. The present study provides screening data on the effects of NPls, alone and considering the presence of other compounds like the solvents, which is essential for regulators and strategic management of plastic pollution.
Highlights
In 2016, the production of plastic around the world, mainly used for packaging, exceeded the 320 million tons
After 48 h, there was a tendency of the organisms to avoid the NPls spiked soils, being this response significant at 0.015 mg/kg a reduced avoidance behaviour was observed as NPls concentration increased
For the Enchytraeid Reproduction Test (ERT), there were no significant changes in soil pH within the experimental conditions or over the test duration (21 d)
Summary
In 2016, the production of plastic around the world, mainly used for packaging, exceeded the 320 million tons. This production rise was accompanied by an unprecedented exponential increase in the occurrence of plastic waste in both soil and aquatic environments [1]. Plastics may breakdown through several processes, for instance mechanical forces and photo-oxidative processes, into microplastics (MPls; smaller than 5 mm) and nanoplastics Plastic debris remaining on the soil surface are more exposed to UV (ultraviolet) light than the ones present in the marine compartments, leading to a high presence of MPls and NPls on the terrestrial ecosystems [5].
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