The study investigated soil and freshwater sediment sites in the Lihe River watershed, revealing soil microplastics (MPs) in all samples. The average abundance of MPs was found to be 401.85 ± 214.02 and 222.13 ± 54.66 items/kg, respectively. Soil MP distribution and communities varied among land use types, with geographic distance being a significant factor. Soil clay, pH, and bulk density were also correlated with MP abundance and fragment shape. The study found that plastic waste sources accounted for 65.12%, 58.60%, 48.15%, and 25.35% of MPs in urban, tea garden, dryland, and paddy field soils, respectively. The findings from this study offer new insights for quantitatively analysing soil MP sources in different land use types.
This study investigates halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) in vegetables grown near an e-waste-contaminated site. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were the dominant HFRs, followed by novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) and dechlorane plus (DPs), with concentrations varying across vegetable species. The highest levels were found in Brassica oleracea var. capitata. Root concentration factors decreased with increasing[…]
This study examines the uptake and health risks of novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) in soil-vegetable systems. Seven NBFRs were analysed in greenhouse and conventional tomatoes and cucumbers. Greenhouse vegetables showed higher concentrations of Σ7 NBFRs (2.8–3.8 ng g⁻¹ dw) compared to conventional ones (1.1–1.7 ng g⁻¹ dw). Root and fruit bioaccumulation factors (RBCFs: 0.6–6.3,[…]
This study assessed the root uptake and root-shoot translocation of seven organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) and four novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) in hydroponic maize plants. The initial liquid concentrations of each compound were examined, with 30 μg L−1 treatments being phytotoxic due to a significant decrease in shoot dry weight. Plant-driven removal of the[…]
The study aimed to investigate the uptake pathways of phthalates (PAEs) in Chinese flowering cabbage and the effects of spraying PAE-degrading strains on PAE accumulation in vegetables. Results showed that leaves of cabbage grown in plastic greenhouses absorbed more PAEs from the air than those of outside greenhouses. PAEs were mainly stored in leaf surfaces,[…]
The study investigated the effects of polystyrene nanoparticles (MNPs) on the uptake of eight organic pollutants (OPEs) by rice seedlings. Results showed that OPEs accumulated in a concentration-dependent manner in both roots and shoots of rice seedlings. The impacts of MNPs were concentration- and size-dependent, influencing transpiration rate and antioxidant enzyme activities. Significant effects were[…]