Uptake and Accumulation of Nano/Microplastics in Plants: A Critical Review
Imran Azeem,
Muhammad Adeel,
Muhammad Arslan Ahmad,
Noman Shakoor,
Gama Dingba Jiangcuo,
Kamran Azeem,
Muhammad Ishfaq,
Awais Shakoor,
Muhammad Ayaz,
Ming Xu,
Yukui Rui
Affiliations
Imran Azeem
Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Muhammad Adeel
BNU-HKUST Laboratory of Green Innovation, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University Zhuhai Subcampus, Zhuhai 519087, China
Muhammad Arslan Ahmad
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource and Eco-Environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Noman Shakoor
Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Gama Dingba Jiangcuo
BNU-HKUST Laboratory of Green Innovation, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University Zhuhai Subcampus, Zhuhai 519087, China
Kamran Azeem
Department of Agronomy, the University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
Muhammad Ishfaq
College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Awais Shakoor
Department of Environment and Soil Sciences, University of Lleida, Avinguda Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain
Muhammad Ayaz
Lithuanian Research Center for Agriculture and Forestry Instituto al. 1, 58344 Akademija, Lithuania
Ming Xu
BNU-HKUST Laboratory of Green Innovation, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University Zhuhai Subcampus, Zhuhai 519087, China
Yukui Rui
Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
The ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in the environment is an undeniable and serious concern due to their higher persistence and extensive use in agricultural production. This review highlights the sources and fate of MPs and NPs in soil and their uptake, translocation, and physiological effects in the plant system. We provide the current snapshot of the latest reported studies with the majority of literature spanning the last five years. We draw attention to the potential risk of MPs and NPs in modern agriculture and their effects on plant growth and development. We also highlight their uptake and transport pathways in roots and leaves via different exposure methods in plants. Conclusively, agricultural practices, climate changes (wet weather and heavy rainfall), and soil organisms play a major role in transporting MPs and NPs in soil. NPs are more prone to enter plant cell walls as compared to MPs. Furthermore, transpiration pull is the dominant factor in the plant uptake and translocation of plastic particles. MPs have negligible negative effects on plant physiological and biochemical indicators. Overall, there is a dire need to establish long-term studies for a better understanding of their fate and associated risks mechanisms in realistic environment scenarios for safe agricultural functions.
