Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2025
Author Spotlight: A New and Efficient Method for Comprehensive Metabolite Cytotoxicity Assessment of Triazole Pesticides in Plants
Published on: December 22, 2023
Toxicity of polyvinyl chloride microplastics on Brassica rapa
Hao Wu1, Beibei He1, Bocheng Chen1
1College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
Abstract:
Microplastics (MPs) can pose high risk to living organisms due to their very small sizes. This study selected polyvinyl chloride MPs (PVC-MPs) which experienced up to 1000 h UV light radiation to investigate the influence of PVC-MPs on Brassica rapa growth. The outcomes showed the presence of PVC-MPs inhibited the plants' growth. The stem length, root length, fresh weight and dry weight of plants exposed to PVC-MPs after 30 days reduced by 45.9%, 35.2%, 26.1% and 5.2%, respectively. The chlorophyll, soluble sugar, malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase (CAT) concentrations for plants exposed to PVC-MPs after 30 days increased by 25.9%, 135.7%, 88.7% and 47.1% respectively. It was also observed that PVC-MPs blocked the plants' leaf stomata and even entered plants' bodies. This might lead to PVC-MPs movement within the plants and influence plants' growth. The transcriptomic analysis results indicated that exposure to PVC-MPs up-regulated metabolic pathway of plant hormone signal transduction of the plants and down-regulated pathway network of ribosome. However, the research outcomes also showed that the PVC-MPs' locations in soil (located at the upper layers or at lower layers) and the UV light radiation time did not exert significantly different influences on inhibiting plants' growth. This can be attributed to PVC-MPs' small sizes and not much decomposition under light radiation. These imply that longer light radiation time and different particle sizes should be included into future research in order to further explore photodegraded MPs' toxicity effects on plants.
Insights
Polyvinyl chloride microplastics (PVC-MPs) significantly inhibited Brassica rapa growth, reducing key biomass indicators and altering physiological processes. Their small size and limited photodegradation mean PVC-MPs pose a persistent risk to plants.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Plant Biology
- Ecotoxicology
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) pose risks to organisms due to their small size.
- Polyvinyl chloride MPs (PVC-MPs) are common environmental pollutants.
- Understanding MP effects on plant physiology is crucial for assessing ecological impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of UV-irradiated PVC-MPs on Brassica rapa growth and physiological responses.
- To analyze the effects of PVC-MPs on plant biomass, biochemical markers, and cellular structures.
- To explore the influence of PVC-MPs on plant gene expression related to hormone signaling and protein synthesis.
Main Methods:
- Brassica rapa plants were exposed to UV-irradiated PVC-MPs for 30 days.
- Plant growth parameters (stem/root length, fresh/dry weight) were measured.
- Biochemical analyses included chlorophyll, soluble sugar, MDA, and CAT concentrations.
- Transcriptomic analysis was performed to assess gene expression changes.
- Microscopic observation of stomata and internal plant tissues was conducted.
Main Results:
- PVC-MPs significantly inhibited plant growth, reducing stem length (45.9%), root length (35.2%), fresh weight (26.1%), and dry weight (5.2%).
- Chlorophyll (25.9%), soluble sugar (135.7%), MDA (88.7%), and CAT (47.1%) concentrations increased in exposed plants.
- PVC-MPs blocked stomata and entered plant tissues, potentially affecting growth.
- Transcriptomic analysis revealed altered plant hormone signal transduction and ribosome pathways.
Conclusions:
- PVC-MPs negatively impact Brassica rapa growth and physiology, affecting biomass accumulation and stress responses.
- Physical obstruction of stomata and internal plant entry by PVC-MPs contribute to toxicity.
- While soil location and UV exposure time showed no significant difference, further research on photodegraded MPs is needed.
- The study highlights the potential risks of microplastic pollution to terrestrial plant ecosystems.
More Related Videos
06:58Combining Clearing and Fluorescence Microscopy for Visualising Changes in Gene Expression and Physiological Responses to Plasmodiophora brassicae
Published on: August 5, 2022
08:08Author Spotlight: Investigating the Tolerance of Cabbage Butterflies to Urban Pollutants
Published on: August 18, 2023
