Polyethylene microplastics increase cadmium uptake in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) by altering the soil microenvironment

Microplastics (MPs) in terrestrial ecosystems have attracted increasing attention all over the world The adsorption-desorption behavior and bioavailability of metals in soil would affect its toxicity to organisms However, the influences of MPs on adsorption-desorption behavior between metals and soil as well as bioavailability of metals in soils are scarcely investigated Herein, different percentage (0, 01%, 1%, 10%) of polyethylene-microplastic (PE-MP) were thoroughly mixed into the soil to investigate the impacts of PE-MP on adsorption-desorption and bioavailability of metals (Zn2+, Pb2+) in the soil A series of characterization were carried out to determine the change of PE-MP before and after adsorption to investigate the mechanisms When MP100 (average size: 129 μm) content in soil increased to 10%, the adsorption capacities of soil with Pb2+ and Zn2+ were 373 and 456 mg/g, respectively, which were significantly (p < 005) lower than that of pure soil When MP300 (average size: 293 μm) content in soil increased to 10%, the extraction fraction of Zn2+ and Pb2+ from soil by diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid reached 1235% and 2396%, respectively, which were significantly (p < 005) higher than that of pure soil, indicating high concentration (10%) of MPs in soil would decrease the adsorption capability of soil to metals and increase the mobility of metals in terrestrial environment However, when MPs content in soil was 01%, the extraction fraction of Zn2+ and Pb2+ showed no significant difference with that of pure soil, indicating that actual MPs in soil is unlikely to bring significant influence on metal bioavailability

Influence of polyethylene-microplastic on environmental behaviors of metals in soil

A review of pristine and modified biochar immobilizing typical heavy metals in soil: Applications and challenges.

Risk assessment of potentially toxic metal(loid)s in Vigna radiata L. under wastewater and freshwater irrigation.

Cadmium accumulation in wheat and maize grains from China: Interaction of soil properties, novel enrichment models and soil thresholds.

Cd immobilization and soil quality under Fe–modified biochar in weakly alkaline soil

Interactive effects of multiple heavy metal(loid)s on their bioavailability in cocontaminated paddy soils in a large region

Performance and mechanisms of immobilization remediation for Cd contaminated water and soil by hydroxy ferric combined acid-base modified sepiolite (HyFe/ABsep).

Shunan Zheng

Papers

Cd immobilization and soil quality under Fe–modified biochar in weakly alkaline soil

Interactive effects of multiple heavy metal(loid)s on their bioavailability in cocontaminated paddy soils in a large region

Performance and mechanisms of immobilization remediation for Cd contaminated water and soil by hydroxy ferric combined acid-base modified sepiolite (HyFe/ABsep).

The use of bentonite and organic amendments for remediation of Cd contaminated fields: An environmental perspective