Contamination from plastics represents one of the most dangerous types of pollution. The plastic particles persist in the environment, where they can undergo fragmentation into smaller pieces reaching sub-micrometer or nanometer sizes. These particles can be absorbed by plants and thus enter the food chain, representing a real problem for the quality of the environment itself and for human and animal health. One of the most widespread polymer is polystyrene (PS) and its particles are commonly found in terrestrial ecosystems. The aim of this work was to analyze the effects of 0.01, 0.1, 1 g/L concentrations of nano- (20 nm) and submicron- (200 nm) fluorescent particles at two exposure times (7 and 14 days) on Cichorium endivia L., considering the following endpoints: a) the germination physiology and seedling development; b) the impact on the content of phytochemical compounds and photosynthetic pigments; c) the absorption and translocation within the seedlings by means of fluorescence microscopy, of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and of attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The results evidenced that the germination percentage was not affected by PS particles of both size at any concentration. Seedlings root and shoot elongation was mainly affected by exposure at highest concentration of nanoPS after 7 days of imbibition while photosynthetic pigments increased in all treatments. The fluorescence of nanoPS was observed in root hair, in root vascular bundles of 7 days seedlings and in the shoot of 14 days seedlings. TEM and ATR-FTIR analysis supported this finding, evidencing nanoPS in analyzed tissues. On the contrary, submicron particles were rarely observed in the roots and in the tissues, as demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy as well as by TEM and ATR-FTIR. These results raise concerns about nanoPS contamination of food via edible plants, this representing a serious risk for human health.
Effects and translocation of nano and submicron fluorescent polystyrene particles in seedlings of Cichorium endivia L.
Giorgetti L;
2021
Abstract
Contamination from plastics represents one of the most dangerous types of pollution. The plastic particles persist in the environment, where they can undergo fragmentation into smaller pieces reaching sub-micrometer or nanometer sizes. These particles can be absorbed by plants and thus enter the food chain, representing a real problem for the quality of the environment itself and for human and animal health. One of the most widespread polymer is polystyrene (PS) and its particles are commonly found in terrestrial ecosystems. The aim of this work was to analyze the effects of 0.01, 0.1, 1 g/L concentrations of nano- (20 nm) and submicron- (200 nm) fluorescent particles at two exposure times (7 and 14 days) on Cichorium endivia L., considering the following endpoints: a) the germination physiology and seedling development; b) the impact on the content of phytochemical compounds and photosynthetic pigments; c) the absorption and translocation within the seedlings by means of fluorescence microscopy, of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and of attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The results evidenced that the germination percentage was not affected by PS particles of both size at any concentration. Seedlings root and shoot elongation was mainly affected by exposure at highest concentration of nanoPS after 7 days of imbibition while photosynthetic pigments increased in all treatments. The fluorescence of nanoPS was observed in root hair, in root vascular bundles of 7 days seedlings and in the shoot of 14 days seedlings. TEM and ATR-FTIR analysis supported this finding, evidencing nanoPS in analyzed tissues. On the contrary, submicron particles were rarely observed in the roots and in the tissues, as demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy as well as by TEM and ATR-FTIR. These results raise concerns about nanoPS contamination of food via edible plants, this representing a serious risk for human health.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
