{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: A Study on the Growth and Physiological Toxicity Effects of the Combined Exposure of Microplastics and Cadmium on the Vicia faba L. Seedlings.
{Author}: Wang H;Li Y;Liu L;Liu H;Su J;Xu S;Zhou Y;Zhang S;Xu C;
{Journal}: Bull Environ Contam Toxicol
{Volume}: 112
{Issue}: 6
{Year}: 2024 Jun 1
{Factor}: 2.807
{DOI}: 10.1007/s00128-024-03899-6
{Abstract}: To investigate the toxicological effects of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs), cadmium (Cd), and their combined contamination on the growth and physiological responses of V. faba seedlings, this experiment employed a hydroponic method. The Hoagland nutrient solution served as the control, changes in root growth, physiological and biochemical indicators of V. faba seedlings under different concentrations of PS-MPs (10, 100 mg/L) alone and combined with 0.5 mg/L Cd. The results demonstrated that the root biomass, root vitality, generation rate of superoxide radicals (O2·-), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased with increasing concentration under the influence of PS-MPs alone, while the soluble sugar content and peroxidase (POD) activity decreased. In the combined treatment with Cd, the trends of these indicators are generally similar to the PS-MPs alone treatment group. However, root vitality and SOD activity showed an inverse relationship with the concentration of PS-MPs. Furthermore, laser confocal and electron microscopy scanning revealed that the green fluorescent polystyrene microspheres entered the root tips of the V. faba and underwent agglomeration in the treatment group with a low concentration of PS-MPs alone and a high concentration of composite PS-MPs with Cd.