Authors
Muhammad Tayyab, Syed Shabi Ul Hassan Kazmi, Paolo Pastorino, Hafiz Sohaib Ahmed Saqib, Zaher Mundher Yaseen, Muhammad Sajid Hanif, Waqar Islam
Publication date
2024/6/20
Source
Chemosphere
Pages
142641
Publisher
Pergamon
Description
Increasing microplastic (MP) pollution, mainly by anthropogenic sources such as plastic film mulching, waste degradation, and agricultural practices, has emerged as a demanding global environmental concern. This review examines the direct and indirect effects of MPs on crops, both in isolation and in conjunction with other contaminants, to elucidate their combined toxicological impacts. Organic fertilizers predominantly contain 78.6% blue, 9.5% black, and 8.3% red MPs, while irrigation water in agroecosystems contains 66.2% white, 15.4% blue, and 8.1% black MPs, ranging from 0-1mm to 4-5mm in size. We elucidate five pivotal insights: Firstly, soil MPs exhibit affinity towards crop roots, seeds, and vascular systems, impeding water and nutrient uptake. Secondly, MPs induce oxidative stress in crops, disrupting vital metabolic processes. Thirdly, leachates from MPs elicit cytotoxic and genotoxic responses in …
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