Document Type : REVIEW PAPER

Authors

1 Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna, Hapugala, Galle 80000, Sri Lanka

2 Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama 338-8570, Japan

3 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology, 3 7 5 Toyosu, Koto City, Tokyo 135 8548, Japan

Abstract

Growth of plants, apart from being complex and highly dynamic, is directly dependent on the environmental conditions, particularly the quality of soil for terrestrial plants and the water quality for aquatic plants. Presence of microplastics in the environment may affect the plant growth in numerous ways depending on the contents of the growing medium. However, increasing presence of microplastics at an alarming rate due to its pervasive usage and mismanagement of plastics have led to significant environmental problems. Several research studies have been conducted as well as reviewed to investigate the toxic effects of microplastics on aquatic systems, but studies that investigate the toxic effect of microplastics on the terrestrial systems are limited. Hence, in this review the individual and the combined effects of microplastics on the growth of plants and seed germination in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems are concisely discussed. At the beginning accumulation of microplastics on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem is discussed and the reasonable solutions are highlighted that can mitigate the effects from the widespread increase of the plastic debris. Thereafter, the individual and combined effect of microplastics on seed germination and plant growth is reviewed separately while summarizing the important aspects and future perspectives. This review will provide an insight into the existing gap in the current research works and thus could offer possible implications on the effect of microplastics on plant growth and seed germination in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem.

Graphical Abstract

Microplastics on the growth of plants and seed germination in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems

Highlights

  • The effect of microplastics on plant growth and seed germination has dose-dependent and size-dependent responses;
  • Microplastics are accumulated near the seed coat and root hair inhibiting imbibition, causing a reduction of the seed germination rate and plant growth;
  • Microplastics are serve as a vector for chemical transportation and they are able to adsorb heavy metal and chemicals increasing the synergic effect;
  • Plants can uptake nano plastics causing genotoxic and cytological effects.

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