The Influence of New and Artificial Aged Microplastic and Leachates on the Germination of Lepidium sativum L.

Stephan Pflugmacher,Amalia Sulek,Ji Hyeon Noh,Maranda Esterhuizen,Jeongin Heo,Sanghun Kim,Hannah Mader,Youngjun Kim,Olli-Pekka Penttinen

doi:10.3390/plants9030339

Abstract

With the increase in environmental monitoring and assessing, we are gaining insight into the extent of microplastic pollution in our environment. The threat posed by microplastics to biota could come, e.g., from leached substances. As some plastic materials have been decaying in nature for extended periods already, the toxic effects of leaching compounds need to be investigated. It is furthermore essential to understand the adverse effects of new plastic and how these effects differ from the effects elicited by old plastic material. Therefore, in the present study, the effects of exposure to leachates from new and artificial aged polycarbonate as well as new and aged polycarbonate granules on various germination parameters of Lepidium sativum were studied. Germination, root, and shoot length, as well as the calculated germination rate index as a measure for germination speed, was negatively influenced in substrate-free and substrate containing exposures. From an ecological and agricultural point of view, this implies possible yield losses with less germinating seeds, slower plant germination speed, and smaller seedlings in general.

Highlights

IntroductionMost human activities nowadays are based on or influenced by plastics and plastic products
Most human activities nowadays are based on or influenced by plastics and plastic products.Plastic is essential in most aspects of human life
Using germination as a test parameter in substrate-free exposures, the leachate solution from the new PC material, in the two dilutions 1:10 and 1:1, as well as non-diluted, significantly inhibited the germination of L. sativum compared to the control (p < 0.05) (Figure 1A)

Summary

Introduction

Most human activities nowadays are based on or influenced by plastics and plastic products. Plastic is essential in most aspects of human life. Around 8.3 million metric tons of virgin plastic were produced in 2015 [1]. Due to its ubiquitous use, low cost, and the single-use throwaway culture, plastic pollution has become a severe environmental problem [2]. Plastic debris as a source of waste and chemical pollution is detected in oceans, forming huge swirling patches in areas, and soil, sediment, freshwater bodies, and even human stool [3,4]. The threats posed by microplastics (MP) in nature need to be investigated. A standardized definition of what can be defined as MPs in terms of size classification is still under debate, and numerous

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