Removal Methods of Plastic Waste and Interactions of Micro- and Nano-Plastics with Plants

Abstract

The presence of plastic waste in large quantities in the environment is a major problem and therefore a challenge for many researchers to examine the most effective methods of their disposal. In this paper, the source of microplastic and its hazardous effect on human health and interactions of plastics with plants were studied. Due to the specific physical-chemical features of micro- and nano-plastics, they are ideal candidates for the adsorption of organic pollutants, pathogens and heavy metals. The uptake and accumulation of nanoplastics by plants, adsorption studies, and bioaccumulation are shown here. In addition, recent research on the interaction of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics with plants has been discussed. Many studies have shown that the most affected part of the plant was the roots, followed by leaves, shoots, and then the stem. Nanoplastics are found to be more harmful than microplastics due to permeation through the biological membranes of plants, while microplastics adhere to leaves.