TY - JOUR
T1 - The comparison effect on earthworms between conventional and biodegradable microplastics
AU - Lai, Hailong
AU - Han, Shuwen
AU - Sun, Jinyu
AU - Fang, Yujing
AU - Liu, Ping
AU - Zhao, Haitao
PY - 2024/9/30
Y1 - 2024/9/30
N2 - Many studies have reported the toxic effects of microplastics (MPs) on organisms, especially on how conventional plastics affect organisms after short-term exposure. The effects of biodegradable plastics on organisms are, however, largely unexplored, especially concerning their impact after long-term exposure. We perform a series of experiments to examine the effects of conventional (polyethylene (PE)) and biodegradable (polylactic acid (PLA)) microplastics on earthworms at three concentrations (0.5 %, 2 %, and 5 % (w/w)) and particle sizes (149, 28, and 13 μm) over short- (14 d) and long-term (28 d) periods of exposure. Negative effects on earthworms are more pronounced following exposure to PE than PLA, particularly over the shorter term. After longer-term exposure, earthworms may adapt to PE and PLA environments. A close relationship exists between the effects of MPs on earthworms and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and malondialdehyde enzymes, which we use to evaluate the degree of antioxidant damage. We report both PE and PLA to negatively affect earthworms, but for the effects of PLA to be less severe after longer-term exposure. Further investigation is required to more fully assess the potential negative effects of PLA use on soil organisms in agriculture.
AB - Many studies have reported the toxic effects of microplastics (MPs) on organisms, especially on how conventional plastics affect organisms after short-term exposure. The effects of biodegradable plastics on organisms are, however, largely unexplored, especially concerning their impact after long-term exposure. We perform a series of experiments to examine the effects of conventional (polyethylene (PE)) and biodegradable (polylactic acid (PLA)) microplastics on earthworms at three concentrations (0.5 %, 2 %, and 5 % (w/w)) and particle sizes (149, 28, and 13 μm) over short- (14 d) and long-term (28 d) periods of exposure. Negative effects on earthworms are more pronounced following exposure to PE than PLA, particularly over the shorter term. After longer-term exposure, earthworms may adapt to PE and PLA environments. A close relationship exists between the effects of MPs on earthworms and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and malondialdehyde enzymes, which we use to evaluate the degree of antioxidant damage. We report both PE and PLA to negatively affect earthworms, but for the effects of PLA to be less severe after longer-term exposure. Further investigation is required to more fully assess the potential negative effects of PLA use on soil organisms in agriculture.
KW - Adaptation
KW - Earthworms
KW - Microplastic
KW - Oxidative stress
KW - Polyethylene
KW - Polylactic acid
U2 - 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37308
DO - 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37308
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85203412785
SN - 2405-8440
VL - 10
JO - Heliyon
JF - Heliyon
IS - 18
M1 - e37308
ER -