Issue 5, 2024

Co-exposure to tire wear particles and nickel inhibits mung bean yield by reducing nutrient uptake

Abstract

Soil and terrestrial contamination with microplastics and nanoplastics has been discussed extensively, while tire wear particles (TWPs) have been largely overlooked. We investigated the root-surface interactions and growth response of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) plants exposed to tire wear particles (TWPs) (0.05, 0.1, and 0.25% w/w) and nickel sulfate (50 and 100 mg kg−1 NiSO4) alone and in co-exposure scenarios for the full life cycle (105 days) under soil conditions. The results show that TWPs adhered to the root surface and reduced the water and nutrient uptake by the plant, particularly at higher concentrations of TWPs (0.25% w/w), without any observed organic contaminant accumulation in the root tissue. TWPs alone at 0.01, 0.1, and 0.25% (w/w) decreased mung bean yield by 11, 28, and 52%, respectively. Co-exposure to TWPs at 0.01, 0.1 and 0.25% w/w with 100 mg kg−1 NiSO4 decreased yield by 73, 79 and 88%, respectively. However, co-exposure to TWPs at 0.01 and 0.1% w/w with 50 mg kg−1 NiSO4 enhanced the yield by 32% and 7%, respectively. These changes in yield and nutritional aspects appear to be linked to Ni's regulatory influence on mineral homeostasis. Moreover, exposure to NiSO4 at 100 mg kg−1 increased Ni uptake in the root, shoot, and grain by 9, 26, and 20-fold, respectively as compared to the unamended control; this corresponded to increased antioxidant enzyme activity (10–127%) as compared to the control. TWPs caused blockages, significantly reducing plant yield and altering nutrient dynamics, highlighting emerging risks to plant health.

Graphical abstract: Co-exposure to tire wear particles and nickel inhibits mung bean yield by reducing nutrient uptake

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
14 feb 2024
Accepted
29 mar 2024
First published
02 apr 2024

Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2024,26, 832-842

Co-exposure to tire wear particles and nickel inhibits mung bean yield by reducing nutrient uptake

I. Azeem, M. Adeel, N. Shakoor, M. Zain, H. Bibi, K. Azeem, Y. Li, M. Nadeem, U. Manan, P. Zhang, J. C. White and Y. Rui, Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2024, 26, 832 DOI: 10.1039/D4EM00070F

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements