Publication detail

Adaptation of Lemna Minor To Stress Induced by Biodegradable and Conventional Microplastics

PROCHÁZKOVÁ, P. KALČÍKOVÁ, G. ZLÁMALOVÁ GARGOŠOVÁ, H. KUČERÍK, J.

Original Title

Adaptation of Lemna Minor To Stress Induced by Biodegradable and Conventional Microplastics

Type

journal article in Web of Science

Language

English

Original Abstract

Microplastics, widespread contaminants of the environment, are raising growing ecological concerns. To address this, efforts are being made to replace conventional plastics with biodegradable alternatives, designed to break down more easily in the environment. However, the degradation of these alternatives relies on specific conditions, such as temperature, pH, humidity, and the presence of microorganisms, which are not always met in natural ecosystems. As a result, biodegradable plastics can fragment and generate microplastics. So far, only a few studies have been conducted on the effect of biodegradable microplastics on freshwater plants and have included only short-term exposure. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the long-term effects (for 12 weeks) of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) particles < 63 mu m in concentration 100 mg/L on the growth, root length, photosynthetic pigment concentration, total antioxidant capacity, electron transport system and concentration of carbohydrates and proteins in fronds of freshwater plant Lemna minor. Most of the monitored parameters were not statistically significantly affected throughout the experiment. However, both types of microplastics induced significant root elongation, which may be related to nutrient depletion, similarly to what has been observed in short-term experiments. The effect was more pronounced with P3HB, and plant growth adaptation took longer than with PET. These results suggest that biodegradable microplastics may pose more severe stress to aquatic plants than conventional plastics and influence nutrient cycling and plant-microbe interactions. These findings highlight the need for long-term, plant-based ecotoxicological assessments when evaluating the environmental safety of biodegradable plastic materials.

Keywords

Aquatic Macrophytes; Nutrient Depletion; Root Elongation; Ecotoxicity; Chronic Exposure

Authors

PROCHÁZKOVÁ, P.; KALČÍKOVÁ, G.; ZLÁMALOVÁ GARGOŠOVÁ, H.; KUČERÍK, J.

Released

23. 6. 2025

Publisher

SPRINGER INT PUBL AG

Location

CHAM

ISBN

2198-7491

Periodical

Environmental Processes

Year of study

12

Number

41

State

Swiss Confederation

Pages count

17

URL

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40710-025-00783-1

BibTex

@article{BUT198305,
  author="Petra {Procházková} and Gabriela {Kalčíková} and Helena {Zlámalová Gargošová} and Jiří {Kučerík}",
  title="Adaptation of Lemna Minor To Stress Induced by Biodegradable and Conventional Microplastics",
  journal="Environmental Processes",
  year="2025",
  volume="12",
  number="41",
  pages="17",
  doi="10.1007/s40710-025-00783-1",
  issn="2198-7491",
  url="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40710-025-00783-1"
}