The Comparison Effect on Earthworms Between Conventional and Biodegradable Microplastics

Overview

Journal Heliyon

Specialty Social Sciences

Date 2024 Sep 23

PMID 39309927

Authors

Hailong Lai

Shuwen Han

Jinyu Sun

Yujing Fang

Ping Liu

Haitao Zhao

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

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.

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