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

Authors :
Stephan Pflugmacher
Amalia Sulek
Hannah Mader
Jeongin Heo
Ji Hyeon Noh
Olli-Pekka Penttinen
YoungJun Kim
Sanghun Kim
Maranda Esterhuizen
Source :
Plants, Vol 9, Iss 3, p 339 (2020)
Publication Year :
2020
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2020.

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.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
22237747
Volume :
9
Issue :
3
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Plants
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.2e2384789ad0471fbdeab55792c6892e
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9030339