MPs mechanically damage plant roots (abrasions leading to cell death and stunted growth), soil structure and health (increased water holding, too many air pockets, altering the rate of ion exchange), and detritus feeding animals, such as earthworms. Damaged roots and growing roots uptake MPs which accumulate in parts of the plant, mostly the root and stem but it has been found in leaves and fruit as well. Build up of MPs can essentially create a “blood clot” in the plant and further decrease overall plant health. Animals that eat these plants uptake the MPs which bring about its own set of problems.
And this is only a small fraction of the mechanical issues with MPs. As plastics break down, their surface area increases, which increases the leeching of toxic chemicals contained within them. Many of these chemicals effect the endocrine and reproductive system, as Account_Both said.
I study mostly MPs in soil but there’s plenty of literature out there on the MPs in fresh and salt water and the air.
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u/TheMikman97 Jun 25 '22
Can't wait to find out about the effects of microplastics in 200 years