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Courtene-Jones W, Cheung SWH, Thompson RC, Hanley ME. Effect of biodegradable and conventional microplastic exposure in combination with seawater inundation on the coastal terrestrial plant Plantago coronopus. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 360:124573. [PMID: 39029863 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Coastal ecosystems face a multitude of pressures including plastic pollution and increased flood risk due to sea level rise and the frequency and severity of storms. Experiments seldom examine multiple stressors such as these, but here we quantified the effect of microplastics (polyethylene terephthalate (PET): a durable plastic and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT): a biodegradable polymer), in combination with simulated seawater inundation on the coastal species Plantago coronopus. After 35-days exposure to plastic (0.02 g.Kg-1, <300 μm diameter), P. coronopus were flooded to pot height with artificial seawater for 72-h, drained and grown for a further 24-days. Plant mortality, necrosis and photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) were recorded throughout, with root:shoot biomass and scape production (flower stalks) quantified at harvest. There were significant interactions between microplastics and seawater on the root:shoot ratio; a measure of resource allocation. The allocation to belowground biomass increased significantly under the PET + inundation treatment compared to the PBAT + inundation and the no plastic + inundation treatments, with potential consequences on the capture of water, nutrients and sunlight, which can affect plant performance. Plant necrosis significantly increased, and Fv/Fm declined as a result of seawater inundation. While not significant, plant Fv/Fm responses were influenced by microplastics (17% and 7% reduction in PBAT and PET exposure respectively compared to the no plastic control). Plants mediated this stress response with no discernible treatment-specific effects detected in Fv/Fm 14-days after seawater introduction. Plastic exposure significantly influenced potential reproductive output, with lower average scape numbers across PBAT treatments, but higher in PET treatments. This study highlights the complex interactions and potential for microplastics to present an elevated risk when in combination with additional stressors like seawater flooding; establishing the threat presented to ecosystem resilience in a changing world is a priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Courtene-Jones
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, UK.
| | - S W H Cheung
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - R C Thompson
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - M E Hanley
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, UK
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2
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Gunasekaran K, Mghili B, De-la-Torre GE, Sompongchaiyakul P, Rangel-Buitrago N, Wang X, Charoenpong C. First record of plastiglomerates, pyroplastics and plasticrusts along the beaches of Tamilnadu, Southeast coast of India. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 205:116594. [PMID: 38875967 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Plastic litter affects coastal and marine ecosystems globally. This study represents the first record of pyroplastics and plasticrust in the beaches of Tamil Nadu, India. All samples were FTIR spectroscopically examined to confirm the polymer composition of the suspected plastics. The 16 plastic formations were found in TamilNadu, including six plastiglomerates nine pyroplastics and one plasticrust. Five types of polymers (PET, PP, PVC, PA, and PE) were found on the plastic matrices. The study also revealed that pyroplastics and plasticrust formed by degradation of plastics through weathering in the coastal environment. The present study also found that four types of marine fouling organisms such as oyster larvae, bryozoan, barnacle and polychaete worm were encrusted on the two pyroplastics. The emergence of these new forms of plastic raises concerns about their interactions with the environment and biota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kannan Gunasekaran
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Bilal Mghili
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N 18, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Faculty of Sciences, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación de Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Sociedad, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru
| | - Penjai Sompongchaiyakul
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programade Fisica, Facultad de Ciencias Basicas, Universidad del Atlantico, Barranquilla, Atlantico, Colombia
| | - Xianfeng Wang
- Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Chawalit Charoenpong
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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3
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Cyvin JB, Nixon FC. Plastic litter affected by heat or pressure: A review of current research on remoulded plastic litter. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 924:171498. [PMID: 38458458 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Pyroplastic, plastiglomerates, anthropogenic rocks, plasticrusts, pebble clasts, plastitar, plastisoil and anthropoquinas are examples of terms that have been used to describe the secondary products of plastic litter that have been melted, moulded, pressed, or cemented together with other plastic litter and/or minerogenic sediments or organic matter, either naturally or anthropogenically. Such processes may also favor the formation of new geological features containing plastics, such as coastal landforms or sedimentary rocks. Further research and classification of this secondary plastic litter is critical for understanding the implications of this emerging contaminant as well as to create well-targeted measures to reduce it. The literature review as presented includes 32 peer-reviewed articles published between 1997 and June 2023, all of which describe various burnt or otherwise remoulded plastic litter from around the world. Based on our review we propose a new umbrella term for the different forms of secondary plastic litter that have been modified by heat or pressure: Remoulded Plastic Litter (RPL). If accepted by the research community, important steps for future research and policy will be to implement RPL into the OSPAR protocol for monitoring and assessment of marine litter and thereby fill knowledge gaps of the geographic distribution of RPLs and their potential toxicities to nature and humans. It is clear that the distribution of RPL research spans the globe, however, studies in Africa, Oceania, large tracts of the polar regions, and terrestrial areas in general, are scarce to absent, as are ecotoxicological studies and recommendations for policy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Bonnevie Cyvin
- Department of Geography, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Francis Chantel Nixon
- Department of Geography, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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4
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Mishra R, Chavda P, Kumar R, Pandit R, Joshi M, Kumar M, Joshi C. Exploring genetic landscape of low-density polyethylene degradation for sustainable troubleshooting of plastic pollution at landfills. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168882. [PMID: 38040372 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution increases globally due to the high volume of its production and inadequate mismanagement, leading to dumps in landfills affecting terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Landfills, as sink for plastics, leach various toxic chemicals and microplastics into the environment. We scrutinized the genetic expression for low-density polyethylene (LDPE) degradation via microorganisms to investigate cell viability and metabolic activities for biodegradation and genetic profiling. Samples were collected from the Pirana waste landfill at Ahmedabad, Gujarat, which is one of the largest and oldest municipal solid waste (MSW) dump sites in Asia. Results analyzed that isolated bacterial culture PN(A)1 (Bacillus cereus) is metabolically active on LDPE as carbon source during starvation conditions when incubated for up to 60 days, which was confirmed via 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride (TTC) reduction test, reported cell viability and LDPE degradation. Abrasions, surface erosions, and cavity formations were analyzed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), whereas the breakdown of high molecular polymers converted to low molecules, i.e., depolymerization, was also observed via Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy over 90 days, along with changes in functional groups of carboxylic acids and aldehyde as well as the formation of polysulfide, aliphatic compounds, aromatic ethers, alcohols, and ether linkages. Further, transcriptomic analysis was performed via DESeq2 analysis to understand key gene expression patterns and pathways involved in LDPE degradation. During the initial phase of LDPE degradation, genes related to biological processes, like membrane transportation, ABC transporters, carbon and lipid metabolism, fatty acid degradation/oxidation, and TCA cycle, are likely to indicate pathways for stress response and molecular functions, like oxidoreductase, catalytic, lyase, transferase, and hydrolase activities were expressed. Interlinking between metabolic pathways indicates biodegradation process that mineralizes LDPE during subsequent incubation days. These pathways can be targeted for increasing the efficiency of LDPE degradation using microbes in future studies. Thus, considering microbial-mediated biodegradation as practical, eco-friendly, and low-cost alternatives, healthy biomes can degrade polymers in natural environments explored by understanding the genetic and enzymatic expression, connecting their role in the process to the likely metabolic pathways involved, thereby increasing the rate of their biodegradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshani Mishra
- Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382011, India
| | - Priyank Chavda
- Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382011, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Ramesh Pandit
- Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382011, India
| | - Madhvi Joshi
- Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382011, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Advanced Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India; Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Eugenio Garza Sada 2501 Sur, Monterrey 64849, Mexico.
| | - Chaitanya Joshi
- Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382011, India.
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Gallitelli L, D'Agostino M, Battisti C, Cózar A, Scalici M. Dune plants as a sink for beach litter: The species-specific role and edge effect on litter entrapment by plants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166756. [PMID: 37659519 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic litter accumulates along coasts worldwide. In addition to the flowing litter load, wind, sea currents, geomorphology and vegetation determine the distribution of litter trapped on the sandy coasts. Although some studies highlighted the role of dune plants in trapping marine litter, little is known about their efficiency as sinks and about the small-scale spatial distribution of litter across the dune area. Here, we explore these gaps by analysing six plant species widespread in Mediterranean coastal habitats, namely Echinophora spinosa, Limbarda crithmoides, Anthemis maritima, Pancratium maritimum, Thinopyrum junceum, and Salsola kali. The present study analyses for the first time the capture of litter by dune vegetation at a multi-species level, considering their morphological structure. Data on plastic accumulation on dune plants were compared with unvegetated control plots located at embryo-dune and foredune belts. We found that dunal plants mainly entrapped macrolitter (> 0.5 cm). Particularly, E. spinosa, L. crithmoides, A. maritima and P. maritimum mostly accumulated litter in the embryo dune while T. junceum and S. kali entrapped more in the foredune area. Moreover, beach litter was mainly blocked at the edge of the plant patches rather than in the core, highlighting the 'Plant-edge litter effect'. As A. maritima and S. kali entrapped respectively more litter in embryo and foredune habitats, these species could be used to monitor and recollect litter. In this light, our findings provide further insight into the role of dune plants in the beach litter dynamics, suppling useful information for beach clean-up actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Gallitelli
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Martina D'Agostino
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Corrado Battisti
- "Torre Flavia" LTER (Long Term Ecological Research) Station, Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Servizio Aree Protette, Via G. Ribotta, 41, 00144 Roma, Italy
| | - Andrés Cózar
- Department of Biology, Institute of Marine Research (INMAR), University of Cádiz, European University of the Seas, Puerto Real, Spain
| | - Massimiliano Scalici
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
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6
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Golo MA, Han D, Ibrar M, Haroon MA. The influence of environment and Earnings on Prolonged existence and human fertility: A Deeper Dive into Asia's environmentally vulnerable nations. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22637. [PMID: 38107279 PMCID: PMC10724672 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
This study inspects the impact of environmental deterioration and income on longevity and fertility in Asian countries, specifically the nations that are highly vulnerable to extreme weather. The study examines the data, covering two decades from 2000 to 2019. The empirical conclusions of the panel ARDL-PMG and the CS-ARDL econometric models indicate that environmental degradation leads to a decline in birth rate and life expectancy, while a rising income has a significant influence over longevity. However, increasing per capita income alone cannot solve the problem of population crisis in climatically susceptible countries. Therefore, the sample countries must prioritize climate action and formulate climate-resilient policies to add more years to the lives of their citizens. Similarly, for increasing childbirth the sample nations need to make peace with nature. The outcomes of this study are strong enough, as both the models support each other's findings, producing similar significant outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dongping Han
- School of Management, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Muhammad Ibrar
- Software College, Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang, China
| | - Muhammad Arshad Haroon
- Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology, Hyderabad-Campus Sindh Pakistan
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7
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Menicagli V, Balestri E, Corti S, Arena B, Protano G, Corsi I, Lardicci C. Effects of TiO 2 ultraviolet filter and sunscreens on coastal dune plant performance and competitive interactions. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 343:140236. [PMID: 37739133 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Ultraviolet filters (UVFs) added to sunscreens (SS) are emerging contaminants in marine environments due to their adverse effects on organisms and ecosystems. UVFs have also been detected in beach-dune systems, but their influence on resident organisms has not been explored yet. Native plants are fundamental components of coastal dunes, and these ecologically/economically important systems are currently among the most threatened globally. Thus, understanding whether UVFs may act as threats to dune plants is crucial. This field study evaluated and compared the effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO2), one of the inorganic UVFs most commonly added to sunscreens, and those of a commercial sunscreen product containing it (SS-nTiO2) on the performance of adult dune plants of a native (Thinopyrum junceum) and a non-native invasive species (Carpobrotus sp. pl.) and their competitive interactions at environmentally realistic concentrations. The effects of nTiO2, SS-nTiO2 and of a sunscreen product containing just organic UVFs (SS-OF) on early life stages of T. junceum were also examined. Ti bulk content in sand and plants at the study site ranged from 970 to 1069 mg kg-1 and from 2 to 7.9 mg kg-1, respectively. Thinopyrum junceum adult plants periodically exposed during the summer season to seawater contaminated by SS-nTiO2 produced less biomass than un-exposed plants and nTiO2 exposed plants. nTiO2 and SS-nTiO2 reduced the capacity of T. junceum to control the spread of Carpobrotus. Both SS-nTiO2 and SS-OF reduced seedling emergence in T. junceum whereas nTiO2 did not. These results demonstrated that the periodical exposures of native dune plants to sunscreens could reduce their establishment success and growth and favor invasive plant spread potentially resulting in community structure changes. They also emphasize the need to assess the phytotoxicity not only of single UVFs but especially that of complete sunscreen products to design more eco-friendly formulations in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sara Corti
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Benito Arena
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Protano
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Center for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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8
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Mészáros E, Bodor A, Kovács E, Papp S, Kovács K, Perei K, Feigl G. Impacts of Plastics on Plant Development: Recent Advances and Future Research Directions. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3282. [PMID: 37765446 PMCID: PMC10538034 DOI: 10.3390/plants12183282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Plastics have inundated the world, with microplastics (MPs) being small particles, less than 5 mm in size, originating from various sources. They pervade ecosystems such as freshwater and marine environments, soils, and the atmosphere. MPs, due to their small size and strong adsorption capacity, pose a threat to plants by inhibiting seed germination, root elongation, and nutrient absorption. The accumulation of MPs induces oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity in plants, which also impacts plant development, mineral nutrition, photosynthesis, toxic accumulation, and metabolite production in plant tissues. Furthermore, roots can absorb nanoplastics (NPs), which are then distributed to stems, leaves, and fruits. As MPs and NPs harm organisms and ecosystems, they raise concerns about physical damage and toxic effects on animals, and the potential impact on human health via food webs. Understanding the environmental fate and effects of MPs is essential, along with strategies to reduce their release and mitigate consequences. However, a full understanding of the effects of different plastics, whether traditional or biodegradable, on plant development is yet to be achieved. This review offers an up-to-date overview of the latest known effects of plastics on plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enikő Mészáros
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Attila Bodor
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H6726 Szeged, Hungary; (A.B.); (K.P.)
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Temesvári krt. 62, H6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Etelka Kovács
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H6726 Szeged, Hungary; (A.B.); (K.P.)
| | - Sarolta Papp
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Kamilla Kovács
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Katalin Perei
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H6726 Szeged, Hungary; (A.B.); (K.P.)
| | - Gábor Feigl
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H6726 Szeged, Hungary
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9
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Menicagli V, Balestri E, Giommoni F, Vannini C, Lardicci C. Plastic litter changes the rhizosphere bacterial community of coastal dune plants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 880:163293. [PMID: 37030390 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The presence of plastic litter in coastal environments like beach-dune systems has been well documented, and recent studies have shown that this pollutant can influence sand properties as well as dune vegetation. However, the effects of plastics on rhizosphere bacterial communities of dune plants have largely been neglected. This is an ecologically relevant issue since these communities may play an important role in improving plant growth and resilience of dune systems. Here, we explored the impact of plastic litter made of either non-biodegradable polymers (NBP) or biodegradable/compostable polymers (BP) on the structure and composition of rhizosphere bacterial communities associated with two widespread species along coastal European dunes, Thinopyrum junceum and Sporobolus pumilus, by using a one-year field experiment combined with metabarcoding techniques. Both plastics did not affect neither the survival nor the biomass of T. junceum plants, but they significantly increased alpha-diversity of rhizosphere bacterial communities. They also changed rhizosphere composition by increasing the abundance of the phyla Acidobacteria, Chlamydiae, and Nitrospirae, and of the family Pirellulaceae, and reducing the abundance of the family Rhizobiaceae. NBP reduced drastically the survival of S. pumilus while BP increased its root biomass compared to controls. BP also increased the abundance of the phylum Patescibacteria of the rhizosphere bacterial communities. Our findings provide the first evidence that NBP and BP can change rhizosphere bacterial communities associated with dune plants and highlight the importance of investigating how these changes can affect the resilience of coastal dunes to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Claudia Vannini
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Center for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Center for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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10
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Battisti C, Fanelli G, Gallitelli L, Scalici M. Dunal plants as sink for anthropogenic marine litter: The entrapping role of Salsola kali L. (1753) in a Mediterranean remote beach (Sardinia, Italy). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 192:115033. [PMID: 37182241 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The ability to retain anthropogenic marine litter by a halo-psammophilous plant formation dominated by a single prostrate species (Salsola kali) on a Sardinian beach was measured. We hypothesized that the anthropogenic litter (i) is trapped by plants to a greater extent than in control areas, and (ii) has more elongated size, mimicking the organic Posidonia wrack, largely occurring locally as 'banquettes'. Salsola kali patches show an apparently higher anthropogenic litter density than control sites without vegetation. Salsola kali plants trap litter items significantly longer and a larger number of size length categories than control plots. These effects may be due to the prostrate structure of the plant with small thorns at the apex. Also, litter entrapped by plants can interfere with the mechanisms of dune deposition and structuration, in turn affecting food chains by decreasing the availability of organic material for pedofauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corrado Battisti
- "Torre Flavia" LTER (Long Term Ecological Research) Station, Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Servizio Aree protette - parchi regionali, Viale G. Ribotta 41, 00144 Rome, Italy.
| | - Giuliano Fanelli
- Department of Environmental Biology, University of Rome Sapienza, Italy.
| | - Luca Gallitelli
- Department of Sciences, University of Rome Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Massimiliano Scalici
- Department of Sciences, University of Rome Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446 00146 Rome, Italy.
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Ben-Haddad M, Abelouah MR, Hajji S, Rangel-Buitrago N, Alla AA. The halophyte Cakile maritima Scop. 1772 as a trap of plastic litter on the Moroccan coast. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 187:114574. [PMID: 36634536 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Some plant communities of coastal dunes may affect the magnitude and distribution of litter on the ecosystem. In this study, the aim is to assess the aptitude of the halophyte Cakile maritima Scop. 1772 to be a trap and sink of plastic litter on the Moroccan Atlantic coast. Overall, a significant difference was noted between plastic litter trapped in C. maritima patches (1173 items) and control plots (502 items). Food containers and ropes were the most common trapped items. Shoreline and recreational activities, followed by dumping and ocean/waterway activities are the main sources of the trapped plastic items. The findings suggest the expansion of the cleaning operations to include coastal dunes, the need to change behavior among beachgoers in regard to food plastics disposal, as well the control of C. maritima distribution in the study area, and similar plant species in other regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Ben-Haddad
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco.
| | - Mohamed Rida Abelouah
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco
| | - Sara Hajji
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco.
| | - Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programa de Biologia, Facultad de Ciencias Basicas, Universidad del Atlantico, Barranquilla, Atlantico, Colombia; Programa de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia.
| | - Aicha Ait Alla
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco.
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